ByTheManual
About

About ByTheManual

Most of what you need to know about the things in your home is already written down, in owner’s manuals, care labels and safety guidance. We find it, check it and put it in plain words.

What we do

When an oven needs cleaning, a care label is a puzzle or a dryer runs hot, you need a quick, right answer: what to do, what setting to use, and what to avoid. ByTheManual gives that answer, with the source next to it.

We start with laundry, kitchen appliances, and heating, air and water, and we’re adding appliance error codes and tools that look things up for you.

Where the answers come from

From primary sources only: manufacturers’ owner’s manuals and support pages, the FTC’s care labeling rule and the care-symbol standards, and agencies such as the FDA, the EPA, the U.S. Fire Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. How we source our answers explains the method.

What we are not

We aren’t appliance technicians, and we aren’t affiliated with any manufacturer. Models differ, so your own manual has the last word. For gas, electrical or fire hazards, switch the appliance off and call a qualified technician.

Found a mistake?

If something doesn’t match your manual, tell us. We check it against the source and fix the page.