GE DVLR223ET User manual

3
Important Safety Information
8
Operating Instructions
The Controls on Your Dryer
10
Helpful Information
Specialized Fabric Guide
Loading Suggestions
Care of Product
14
If Something Goes Wrong
Before You Call For Service
Venting the Dryer
GE Service Numbers
Warranty, Back Cover
GE Appliances
Dryer
Owner’s Manual
Models: DVLR223ET DVLR223GT
GE Answer Center®
800.626.2000

Welcome to the GE family. We’re
proud of our quality products and
we believe in dependable service.
You’ll see it in this easy-to-use
manual and you’ll hear it in the
friendly voices of our customer
service department.
Best of all, you’ll experience
these values each time you do
the laundry. That’s important,
because your new dryer will be
part of your family for a long time.
Welcome
Staple your receipt to the inside back
cover of this manual.
Write down the model and serial
numbers here.
They are on the label
on the front of the dryer behind
the door.
Model number
Serial number
Date of purchase
Before
using
your
dryer
Need Help?
Before you call for service,
there are a few things you can
do to help us serve you better.
Read this manual. It contains
instructions to help you use and
maintain your dryer properly.
Save time and money. Check the
section titled “If Something Goes
Wrong” before calling. This sec-
tion was designed to solve common
problems you might encounter.
If you do need service, you can
relax knowing help is only a phone
call away. A list of toll-free customer
service numbers is included on the
inside back cover. Or call the
GE Answer Center at 800.626.2000,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Para obtener la versión en
español de este manual,
llame a
GE Answer Center®, servicio de
información para el consumidor,
teléfono 800.626.2000.
Help us
help you
800.626.2000
2
Start Here!

WARNING: For your safety the information in this manual must be
followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion or to prevent property
damage, personal injury or loss of life.
Do not store or use gasoline
or other flammable vapors
and liquids in the vicinity of
this or any other appliance.
Installation and service must
be performed by a qualified
installer, service agency or
the gas supplier.
IF YOU SMELL GAS
1
Do not try to light any appliance.
2 Do not touch any electrical
switch; do not use any phone
in your building.
3 Clear the room, building or
area of all occupants.
4 Immediately call your gas
supplier from a neighbor’s
phone. Follow the gas
supplier’s instructions.
5 If you cannot reach your gas
supplier, call the fire department.
Important Safety Information
3
California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act
This act requires the governor
of California to publish a list of
substances known to the state
to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm
and requires businesses to warn
customers of potential exposure
to such substances.
Gas appliances can cause
minor exposure to four of these
substances, namely benzene,
carbon monoxide, formaldehyde
and soot, caused primarily by the
incomplete combustion of natural
gas or LP fuels.
Properly adjusted dryers will
minimize incomplete combustion.
Exposure to these substances can
be minimized further by properly
venting the dryer to the outdoors.
Read all safety information before using

4
Important Safety Information
Warning
To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons
when using your appliance, follow basic precautions, including
the following sections.
Safety Precautions
•Use this appliance only for its
intended purpose as described
in this Owner’s Manual.
•This dryer must be properly
installed and located in
accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used.
If you did not receive an
Installation Instructions sheet
with your dryer, you can obtain
one by calling, toll free, the GE
Answer Center®, 800.626.2000.
— Properly ground to conform
with all governing codes and
ordinances. Follow details in
Installation Instructions.
— Install or store where the tempera-
ture is above 50°F. (10°C.). Do
not install the dryer where it will
be exposed to the weather.
— Connect to a properly rated,
protected and sized power supply
circuit to avoid electrical overload.
— Gas dryers MUST be exhausted
to the outside. Carefully follow
the Exhausting details in the
Installation Instructions.
— Exhausting electric dryers to
the outside is STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED to prevent
large amounts of moisture and
lint from being blown into the
room. Carefully follow the
Exhausting details in the
Installation Instructions.
•Do not repair or replace
any part of the appliance or
attempt any servicing unless
specifically recommended in this
Owner’s Manual or in published
user-repair instructions that you
understand and have the skills
to carry out.
•When disconnecting this
appliance pull by the plug rather
than the cord to avoid damage to
the cord or junction of cord and
plug. Make sure that the cord
is located so that it will not be
stepped on, tripped over or
otherwise subjected to damage
or stress.
Read all safety information before using

5
•Exhaust Duct—See Installation
Instructions. Use only rigid metal
or flexible metal 4″diameter
ductwork inside the dryer cabinet
or for exhausting to the outside.
USE OF PLASTIC OR OTHER
COMBUSTIBLE DUCTWORK
CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
PUNCTURED DUCTWORK
CAN CAUSE A FIRE IF IT COL-
LAPSES OR BECOMES OTHER-
WISE RESTRICTED IN USE OR
DURING INSTALLATION.
•Do not dry articles containing
rubber, plastic, or similar
materials (such as padded bras,
tennis shoes, galoshes, bath
mats, rugs, bibs, baby pants,
plastic bags, pillows, etc.) as
these materials may melt or
burn. Also, some rubber
materials, when heated, can
under certain circumstances
produce fire by spontaneous
combustion.
•Do not store items that may
burn or melt (such as clothing,
paper material, plastics or
plastic containers, etc.) on top
of the dryer during operation.
•Garments labeled “Dry Away
from Heat” or “Do not Tumble
Dry” (such as life jackets contain-
ing Kapok) must not be put in
your dryer.
•Do not wash or dry articles that
have been cleaned in, washed
in, soaked in, or spotted with
combustible or explosive
substances (such as wax, paint,
oil, gasoline, degreasers,
dry-
cleaning
solvents, kerosene, etc.)
which may ignite or explode. Do
not add these substances to the
wash water. Do not use these
substances around your washer
and/or dryer during operation.
•Any article on which you have
used a cleaning solvent, or
which contains flammable
materials (such as cleaning
cloths, mops, towels used in
beauty salons, restaurants,
or barber shops, etc.) must
not be placed in or near the
dryer until all traces of these
flammable liquids or solids
and their fumes have been
removed. There are many
highly flammable items used
in homes such as acetone,
denatured alcohol, gasoline,
kerosene, some household
cleaners, some spot removers,
turpentines, waxes, wax
removers and products
containing petroleum distillates.

6
Important Safety Information
•Clean the lint filter before
each load to prevent lint
accumulation inside the
dryer or in the room. DO
NOT OPERATE THE DRYER
WITHOUT THE LINT FILTER
IN PLACE.
•Keep the area around and
underneath your appliances
free from the accumulation
of combustible materials,
such as lint, paper, rags,
chemicals, etc.
•The interior of the machine
and the exhaust duct
connection inside the dryer
should be cleaned periodically
by a qualified individual.
•Never reach into the dryer
while the drum is moving.
Before loading, unloading or
adding clothes, wait until the
drum has completely stopped.
•Do not dry fiberglass articles
in your dryer. Skin irritation
could result from the remaining
glass particles that may be picked
up by clothing during subse-
quent dryer uses.
•The laundry process can
reduce the flame retardancy
of fabrics. To avoid such a
result, the garment manufacturer’s
care instructions should be
followed very carefully.
•Close supervision is necessary
if this appliance is used by or
near children. Do not allow
children to play inside, on,
or with this appliance or any
discarded appliance. Dispose
of discarded appliances and
shipping or packing materials
properly. Before discarding a
dryer, or removing from service,
remove the door of the dryer
compartment.
•Keep all laundry aids (such
as detergents, bleaches, fabric
softeners, etc.) out of the reach
of children, preferably in a
locked cabinet. Observe all
warnings on container labels
to avoid personal injury.
•Keep the floor around your
appliances clean and dry to
reduce the possibility of slipping.
•To minimize the possibility
of electric shock, unplug this
appliance from the power supply
or disconnect the dryer at the
household distribution panel by
removing the fuse or switching
off the circuit breaker before
attempting any maintenance or
cleaning (except the removal and
cleaning of the lint filter).
•NOTE: Turning the Cycle
Selector knob to an OFF
position does NOT
disconnect the appliance
from the power supply.
Read all safety information before using

7
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
•Do not tamper with the controls.
•Do not operate this appliance
if it is damaged, malfunctioning,
partially disassembled, or
has missing or broken parts,
including a damaged cord
or plug.
•Never climb on or stand on the
dryer top.
•If yours is a gas dryer, it is
equipped with an automatic
electric ignition and does not
have a pilot light. DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO LIGHT WITH
A MATCH. Burns may result
from having your hand in the
vicinity of the burner when the
automatic ignition may turn on.
•You may wish to soften your
laundered fabrics or reduce
the static electricity in them
by using dryer-applied fabric
softeners or an anti-static
conditioner. We recommend
you use either a fabric softener
in the wash cycle, according to
the manufacturer’s instructions
for those products, or try a
dryer-added product for which
the manufacturer gives written
assurance on the package that
their product can be safely used
in your dryer.
Service or performance prob-
lems caused by the use of these
products are the responsibility
of the manufacturers of those
products and are not covered
under the warranty of this
appliance.

Clean the lint filter each time you use the dryer.
CAUTION:
Do not operate the dryer without the lint filter
in place.
Select the automatic or timed cycle. See the
above Cycle Descriptions.
8
Operating Instructions
The
controls
on your
dryer
2
1
Clean the Lint Filter Selecting Drying Cycle
START

START

3

•Close the dryer door.
•Select START.
Opening the door during the operation will
stop the dryer. To restart the dryer, close the
door and select START to complete the cycle.
NOTE:
Automatic drying times will vary according to
the type of heat used (Electric, Natural or LP gas),
size of load, types of fabrics, wetness of clothes
and condition of exhaust ducts.
9
Cycle Descriptions
3
Starting Dryer
Automatic Cottons
For cottons and most linens . For most loads select the
Preferred Regular Setting marked with an *. Set
towards More Dry for heavier and wetter fabrics, Less Dry
for lighter fabrics.
Timed Dry
Set the Cycle Selector at the desired drying time.
Automatic Drying Cycle Timed Dry Cycle
Cycle automatically senses fabric dryness Cycle runs for a selected time

70
60
50
20
MORE DRY
80 MIN
TIMED DRY
MEDIUM HEAT
AUTOMATIC
COTTONS
HIGH HEAT
40
30
*
LESS DRY
2

Pillows Mend any holes or weak seams where feather or filling could
escape.
Dry only one pillow at a time . Stop dryer occasionally and
shake pillow, redistributing filling for even drying. Check pillow
at the end of drying time. If it is not completely dry, reset dryer
for more drying time.
Dry on medium heat only.
CAUTION: Do not dry pillows containing foam rubber.
Extra Large Items Tumble dry only if recommended.
Dry only one extra large item at a time. Set dryer for 20 minutes.
When time is up, check and redistribute load. Reset
timer and
check at 5 minute intervals. Check after each 5 minutes to ensure
articles do not fill dryer drum. Large, wet articles should have
ample room in the dryer, but as they dry and fluff up they may not
have room to tumble.
CAUTION: Items without
room to tumble may block air flow and
could result in scorched items.
Helpful Information
Specialty Care Guide
Item Suggested Care
10
Always follow Fabric Manufacturer’s Care Label or instructions when laundering.
Otherwise use the information below as a general guide.
( Includes
comforters,
blankets and
mattress pads.)

11
Loading
As a general rule, if clothes are
sorted properly for the washer, they
are sorted properly for the dryer.
Sort by color
(Separate colorfast from
non-colorfast fabrics*)
•Whites
•Lights
•Darks
Separate by fabric type
•Cottons and linens
•Permanent press cottons
and blends
•Synthetic and poly knits
•Delicates
Separate lint producers from
lint collectors
•Lint producers: terry cloth and
chenille
•Lint collectors: velveteen and
corduroy
Sort by weight
•Heavy Items
•Light Items
* Non-colorfast fabrics may bleed or fade. Sort by
individual color.
Sorting
•Avoid drying very small loads.
•Sort clothes by weight so you
won’t have to run an extra cycle
for one or two heavier, slower
drying items.
•Do not add fabric softener sheets
once the load has become warm.
This may cause fabric softener
stains.
•Do not overload. This causes
inefficient operation and
unnecessary wrinkling. Clothes
need to tumble freely.
•Do not dry the following items:
•Fiberglass items
•Woolens
•Rubber coated items
•Plastics
•Items with plastic trim
•Foam-filled items
Loading Hints

12
Helpful Information
Care & Cleaning
The drum is rust-resistant and
requires no special care.
The Interior
Wipe off any spills or washing
compounds. Wipe or dust with
a damp cloth. Try not to strike
the surface with sharp objects.
Dryer control panel and finishes
may be damaged by some laundry
pretreatment soil and stain remover
products if such products are
sprayed on or have direct contact
with the dryer.
Apply these pretreatment products
away from the dryer. The fabric
may then be washed and dried
normally. Damage to your dryer
caused by pretreatment products
is not covered by your warranty.
The Exterior
Before every dryer use, clean the
lint filter. Moisten your fingers and
reach into the filter opening. Run
your fingers across the filter.
To keep your dryer operating at
peak performance, be sure to have
a technician vacuum the lint from
the machine every three years.
The Lint Filter
To store your dryer for a short
period of time, disconnect the
power supply and clean the lint
filter.
Storage

13
Inspect and clean the dryer
exhaust ducting at least once
a year to prevent clogging. A
partially clogged exhaust can
lengthen the drying time.
To clean the exhaust duct follow
these steps:
1 Turn off electrical supply by
disconnecting the plug from
the wall socket.
2 Disconnect exhaust duct from
the dryer.
3 Vacuum the exhaust duct with
the hose attachment .
4 Reconnect the exhaust duct to
the dryer.
The Exhaust Duct
•Make sure the inside flaps of the
exhaust hood move freely (you
may want to check with a mirror).
•Make sure inside flaps are fully
open when dryer is operating.
•Make sure there is not wild life
(birds, insects, etc.) nesting
inside the exhaust duct or hood.
The Exhaust Hood
Check the inside of the
exhaust
hood with a mirror to
rid of debris

14
Dryer doesn’t start
Dryer doesn’t heat
Dryer shakes or
makes excessive noise
Greasy spots on clothes
Lint on clothes
Dryer is unplugged •Make sure the dryer plug is pushed
completely into the outlet.
Fuse is blown/circuit •Check the house fuse/circuit breaker
breaker is tripped box and replace fuse or reset
breaker.
NOTE: Most electric dryers use two breakers.
Problem Possible Causes What to Do
Lint filter is full •Clean lint screen before each load.
Improper sorting •Sort lint producers (like chenille) from
lint collectors (like corduroy).
Static electricity can attract lint • See suggestions in this section under STATIC.
Overloading •Separate large loads into smaller ones.
Paper, tissue, etc. left in pockets • Empty all pockets before laundering clothes.
Improper use of fabric softener • Follow directions on fabric softener package.
Drying dirty items with • Use your dryer to dry only clean items. Dirty
clean ones items can stain clean items and the dryer.
Clothes were not completely • Sometimes stains which cannot be seen when
clean the clothes are wet “appear” after drying. Use
proper washing procedures before drying.
Some shaking/noise is normal.
•Move dryer to an even floor space, or adjust
Dryer may be sitting unevenly as necessary until even.
Fuse is blown/circuit breaker •Check the house fuse/circuit breaker box
is tripped, the dryer may and replace fuse or reset breaker.
tumble but not heat
Gas service is off •Make sure gas shutoff at dryer and main
shutoff are fully open.
If Something Goes Wrong
Before you call for service

15
Problem Possible Causes What to Do
Improper sorting •Separate heavy items from lightweight items
(generally, a well-sorted washer load is a
well-sorted dryer load).
Large loads of heavy items •Large, heavy loads contain more moisture
(like beach towels) and take longer to dry. Separate large, heavy
items into smaller loads to speed drying time.
Controls improperly set
•Match control settings to the load you
are drying.
Lint filter is full • Clean lint filter before every load.
Improper or obstructed •Check installation instructions for proper
ducting ducting/venting.
•Make sure ducting is clean, free of kinks
and unobstructed.
•Check to see if outside wall damper
operates easily.
•See the Venting the Dryer section.
Blown fuses or tripped •
Replace fuses or reset circuit breakers. Since
circuit breakers most dryers use 2 fuses/breakers, make sure
both are operating.
Overloading/ •Do not put more than one washer load in
combining loads the dryer at a time.
Underloading •If you are drying only one or two items,
add a few items to ensure proper tumbling.
Clothes take
too long to dry
Static occurs
Overdrying •Try a fabric softener.
• Adjust controls for less drying.
No fabric softener was used •Try a fabric softener.
Synthetics, permanent press •Try a fabric softener.
and blends can cause static

16
Problem Possible Causes What to Do
Some fabrics will naturally •To avoid shrinkage, follow garment care
shrink when washed. Others labels exactly.
can be safely washed, but will
• Some items may be pressed back into shape
shrink in the dryer. after drying.
•If you are concerned about shrinkage in
a particular item, do not machine wash or
tumble dry it.
Clothes shrink
Overdrying •Select a shorter drying time.
•Remove items while they still hold a slight
amount of moisture.
Letting items sit in dryer •Remove items when cycle ends and fold or
after cycle ends hang immediately.
Clothes are wrinkled
If Something Goes Wrong

17
Venting the Dryer
For the best drying performance
the dryer needs to be properly
vented.
Carefully follow the details
on Exhausting in the Installation
Instructions.
•Use only rigid metal or flexible
metal 4″diameter ductwork
inside the dryer cabinet or for
exhausting to the outside.
•Do not use plastic or other com-
bustible ductwork.
•Use the shortest length possible.
•Do not crush or collapse.
•Avoid resting the duct on sharp
objects.
•
Venting must conform to local
building codes.
Correct Venting
Incorrect Venting

18
800.626.2000
GE Service Numbers
We’ll be there!
Whatever your question about any
GE major appliance, GE Answer
Center®information service is
available to help. Your call—and
your question—will be answered
promptly and courteously.
And you can call any time. GE
Answer Center®service is open
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
GE Answer Center
®
800-GE-CARES
(800-432-2737)
A GE consumer service professional
will provide expert repair service,
scheduled at a time that’s conve-
nient for you. Many GE Consumer
Service company-operated loca-
tions offer you service today or
tomorrow, or at your convenience
(7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays,
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays).
Our factory-trained technicians
know your appliance inside and
out—so most repairs can be han-
dled in just one visit.
In-Home Repair Service
800.626.2000
Upon request, GE will provide
Braille controls for a variety of
GE appliances, and a brochure
to assist in planning a barrier-free
kitchen for persons with limited
mobility. To obtain these items,
free of charge, call 800.626.2000.
Consumers with impaired hearing
or speech who have access to a
TDD or a conventional teletype-
writer may call 800-TDD-GEAC
(800-833-4322) to request informa-
tion or service.
For Customers With
Special Needs

We’re proud of our service and
want you to be pleased. If for some
reason you are not happy with the
service you receive, here are three
steps to follow for further help.
First, contact the people who ser-
viced your appliance. Explain why
you are not pleased. In most cases,
this will solve the problem.
Next, if you are still not pleased,
write all the details—including
your phone number—to:
Manager, Consumer Relations
GE Appliances, Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225
Finally, if your problem is still
not resolved, write:
Major Appliance Consumer
Action Program
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
19
800.626.2000
Para obtener la versión en español de este manual, llame a
GE Answer Center®, servicio de información para el consumidor,
teléfono 800.626.2000.
Para los clientes
de habla española
800-626-2224
You can have the secure feeling that GE Consumer Service will still
be there after your warranty expires. Purchase a GE contract while your
warranty is still in effect and you’ll receive a substantial discount. With a
multiple-year contract, you’re assured of future service at today’s prices.
Service Contracts
800-626-2002
Individuals qualified to service
their
own appliances can have
parts or accessories sent directly
to their home. The GE parts system
provides access to over 47,000
parts…and all GE Genuine Renewal
Parts are fully warranted. VISA,
MasterCard and Discover cards
are accepted.
Care and cleaning instructions con-
tained in this manual cover proce-
dures to be performed by any user.
Other servicing generally should be
referred to qualified service person-
nel. Caution must be exercised,
since improper servicing may cause
unsafe operation.
Parts and Accessories
Further Service

FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY
For one year from date of original
purchase, we will provide, free of charge,
parts and service labor in your home to
repair or replace any part of the dryer that
fails because of a manufacturing defect.
************************************
This warranty is extended to the original
purchaser and any succeeding owner for
products purchased for ordinary home
use in the 48 mainland states, Hawaii and
Washington, D.C. In Alaska the warranty
is the same except that it is LIMITED
because you must pay to ship the product
to the service shop or for the service
technician’s travel costs to your home.
All warranty service will be provided by
our Factory Service Centers or by our
authorized Customer Care®servicers
during normal working hours.
Should your appliance need service,
during warranty period or beyond, call
800-GE-CARES (800-432-2737).
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state. To know what your legal rights are in your state,
consult your local or state consumer affairs office or your state’s Attorney General.
Warrantor: General Electric Company If further help is needed concerning this warranty, write:
Manager—Consumer Affairs, GE Appliances, Louisville, KY 40225
Staple sales slip or cancelled check here. Proof of original purchase
date is needed to obtain service under warranty.
Part No. 175D1807P078
Pub. No. 49-9845
DVLR223ET DVLR223GT
DRYER
WARRANTY
What is covered
•Service trips to your home to teach you
how to use the product.
Read your Owner’s Manual. If you then
have any questions about
operating the
product, please contact
your dealer or our
Consumer Affairs office at the address
below, or call, toll free:
GE Answer Center®
800.626.2000
consumer information service
•Improper installation.
If you have an installation problem,
contact your dealer or installer. You
are
responsible for providing adequate
electrical, exhausting and other
connecting facilities.
•Replacement of house fuses or resetting
of circuit breakers.
•Failure of the product if it is misused,
or used for other than the intended
purpose or used commercially.
•
Damage to product caused by accident,
fire, floods or acts of God.
What is not
covered
WARRANTOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
C
Printed in Louisville, KY
5-95 CG