GE Sells to Haier

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

A letter from General Electric:

OUR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS

Valued customer:

We have very good news regarding GE Appliances to share with you. Today GE announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell GE Appliances to Haier. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close by mid-2016. For more information, please read the press releases from GE and Haier.

Haier, a global consumer electronics company and the world's #1 major appliances brand, values the GE Appliances' brand, products, services and people. When this transaction closes, Haier is committed to investing in our business for continued growth and leadership in the U.S. market. The GE Appliances headquarters and largest manufacturing operations will stay in Louisville, Kentucky, and the GE Appliances leadership team will remain intact.

Haier, along with GE Appliances, sees the value and strategic advantage of making products in the markets where they are sold. Haier will enable us to continue to do what we do best: design, manufacture and sell innovative, high quality GE appliances, allowing a 100-year legacy to continue.

Now and in the future, you can count on us to:

• Bring innovative and high-quality GE-branded appliances to market.
• Fulfill all GE service and warranty obligations.

You can be assured GE Appliances will remain committed to providing you with the products and services you expect and deserve.

Sincerely,

Chip Blankenship
President & CEO
GE Appliances

maintaining oven

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR OVEN & RANGE

Posted 1/26/15

Homeowner Maintenance Guidelines & Tips for Appliances

Performing regular maintenance of ovens and ranges will extend their life and keep them operating at maximum efficiency. Your pocket book will benefit as well with lower energy consumption, greater reliability and less repairs. By following these maintenance practices you’ll reap all of these benefits.

OVENS AND RANGES 

• Clean range vent hood: Keeping the front panel, window, and outer door glass clean is important because it prevents spills from staining the panel or glass when it heats up during oven operation. Only clean the front when your range or oven is completely cool. For spills on the front panel that are tough to remove, use a heavy-duty degreaser.
• Smooth electric stove top: If a heavy spill occurs, use a razor scraper to remove large food deposits. Apply a cook top cleaner. Remove the remaining residue with a scratch-free pad and then apply a coat of cook top protestant.
• Solid burner element: Some stove/ranges have heating element burners that are solid metal, there are no coils and the stove/range isn’t glass or ceramic. You can clean these solid burners using a solid surface element cleaner.
• Gas stove top: Some gas stove tops are made of porcelain coated steel and can be cleaned exactly the same as an electric smooth top. Stainless steel tops should be cleaned with heavy-duty degreaser and a non-abrasive pad. Take care not use too much water when cleaning, especially around the knobs. If water drips down into the holes where the knob shafts come through, the burner switches can short out and cause problems with the spark ignition system. Grates and burner pans can be difficult to clean. However, before you purchase new ones, you can try and clean them with grate cleaner.
• Oven interior – Self-cleaning ovens: Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the self-cleaning function. This feature heats the interior of the oven to a temperature so high, it incinerates food particles and spills. The length of the process varies from model to model but generally lasts for 2 to 4 hours. If you’re hosting a big-cooking holiday like Thanksgiving, run the self-cleaning feature a few weeks in advance, due to risk of an issue with the door latch or an electrical component.  Important: Never use a cleaning solution to clean the interior of a self-cleaning oven unless it is made specifically for self-cleaning ovens. 
• Oven interior -Non-self-cleaning ovens: Simply wait until the oven is cool to the touch, remove the oven racks and spray oven cleaner directly onto the interior surface. Wipe with a clean rag.
• Oven Racks: Clean the racks in the sink. Let them soak for 10 minutes. Then, using regular kitchen sponges, scrub the racks. Most racks should not be left in an oven during a self-clean cycle as they can warp out of shape.
• Broiler pan: Most broiler pans are made of porcelain-coated steel that can be cleaned periodically with a non-abrasive cleaner. If the pan is damaged, replace it.
• Replace the light bulbs: You can replace the light bulb(s) in your range/oven; you may need to remove a glass covering or dome to reach it. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions. Most interior oven lights use a universal 40-watt appliance bulb.

By putting these tips into practice, you can ensure your home appliances last longer, perform at optimal levels and save energy along the way. This can add up to significant savings and can help you manage your budget more effectively.

Cleaning your washer

How often you should clean your washing machine — and how to do it

If your washing machine is smelling worse than your sweaty workout shirt, it's time to give it a good cleaning. Yes, even washing machines get dirty.

Laundry soils, detergents and hard water minerals build up in the washer in areas you can't see and, over time, they develop an odor. Mold and mildew in the washer lid and the door are another cause of stink.

So how do you de-funk a washer? There are easy green-cleaning tips every six months to avoid any issues.

Top loading washers

Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest setting. Add four cups of white cleaning vinegar (six-percent acid) to the wash cycle. After the cycle starts, pause the machine and allow it to sit for an hour. During this time, wipe down the top of the washer with a microfiber cloth dipped in the hot vinegar water. Use an old toothbrush to clean the fabric softener and bleach dispensers, too. After an hour, continue the wash cycle.

Next, run another wash cycle using one cup of baking soda. At the end of the cycle, wipe the top inside of the washer tub to remove any scum.

One final tip: Stop mildew and mold by leaving the lid or door open when not in use.

Front loading washers

The rubber gasket at the front of the washer, especially in a high-efficiency (HE) washer, accumulates water, hair, scum and mildew. Before cleaning the washer drum, clean the gasket by spraying it with white vinegar and wiping with a damp microfiber cloth.

With the gasket clean, it's time to take care of the washer. Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest water temperature. Add two cups of white cleaning vinegar (six-percent acid) to detergent dispenser. Run it through a complete cycle.

Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum. When cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth. While you're at it, wipe down the front of the machine, too. Now your washer's looking and smelling good again.

Cleaning your Microwave

How To Clean Your 

Microwave Naturally 

With Just a Lemon 

We get a two-fer deal with this one: not only is it possible to get a squeaky-clean microwave without using harsh chemicals in a spot where we also heat our food, but this is also hands down the easiest way to clean a microwave. That's right. If you've been avoiding cleaning your microwave, this trick is going to make you very happy.

It's a simple idea, really: Just squeeze some lemon juice into water, drop the rinds into the water, and microwave. As the liquid boils, it condenses on the sides of the microwave, loosening gunk and dissolving food splatters. The lemon juice is a natural cleaning agent, and so all you have to do is use a clean towel to wipe everything clean.

What You Need

Materials
1 lemon
Small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup
Clean, dry dishtowel or cleaning rag

Equipment
Microwave

Instructions

1. Pour water in the bowl: Measure about a half cup of water into the bowl.
2. Squeeze the lemon: Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. Drop the lemon halves into the bowl.
3. Microwave for 3 minutes: Place the bowl in the microwave. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes so the liquid comes to a boil.
4. Let stand for 5 minutes: Do not open the microwave door. The steam trapped inside will help loosen food gunk. Let stand for 5 minutes.
5. Wipe the microwave clean: Open the door and carefully remove the bowl with the lemons. If your microwave has a turntable, lift it out and wipe it clean. Wipe the inside of the microwave clean starting with the ceiling and the sides. Finish with the floor, sweeping any crumbs into your hand. Don't forget the door!
6. Cleaning stubborn spots: If you come across stubborn spots that won't easily wipe away, dip the corner of your dishtowel in the lemon-water and scrub until the spot comes away.
7.