How to Soundproof a Washing Machine
Some washing machines are noisier than others. At one point, the noise becomes so frustrating that you continually put off doing your laundry for a whole week.
Buying a new model requires a hefty investment, and not everyone can afford it. So, what is the cure to your miseries in such scenarios?
This guide provides an insight into ways to soundproof a washing machine.
7 ways to have a soundproof washing machine
It is crucial to deal with the noisy washing machine to ensure your sanity and the neighbors’. Following are the tips to help you do so:
1. Identify the problem
The noise created by the washing machine is probably because of vibration in the structures.
Sometimes, there is a lightweight object beside the washing machine or a suspended timber foundation.
The point is things close or around your washing machine have the potential to clank and reverberate the sound waves.
Before looking for soundproof washing machine solutions, it is vital to analyze what causes that noise. Find the loose structures beside the machine and fix them at their positions.
2. Install anti-vibration pads
A texturized rubber is used to manufacture the anti-vibration pads. To absorb the excess sound waves, you can place them beneath the dishwasher or a washing machine.
Even though they will not eliminate 100% of the noise, they tend to erase vibrations happening beneath the machine. The main reason behind a noisy machine is its striking with the floors.
You may sometimes find that the anti-vibration pad fails to absorb the sound. It may happen because the material isn’t dense or thick enough.
The solution to this is doubling the pad below or making it thicker with leftover padding material.
Also, note that you should place the machine on a board to provide a stable standing surface. The legs of a machine need to be at the same level, and they may sink into the pads, causing instability.
3. Use soundproofing mats
A soundproof mat deadens or dampens the noise emitted from the washing machines.
The machines will vibrate when they spin. It is essential to use a soundproof mat underneath the washer.
You can either place it below the entire machine or at the sides. These mats are often self-adhesive, making it easy to install them at the positions you want.
4. Try the kitchen sponges
Kitchen sponges are readily available to all of us. Plus, they make pretty good sound absorbers.
Their sound absorption quality has convinced the recording studios to use them to protect the employees’ hearing. It is also a tool you can use to silence your washing machine.
All you need to do is place the sponges beneath each of the machine legs.
The washing machine may wobble and move as it ages. A kitchen sponge helps to keep it affixed. It also absorbs the vibrating noise from the structure, reducing the overall acoustics.
5. Cover the machine with a soundproofing blanket
Blankets have proven to be effective at soundproofing walls and doors. If you have a spare blanket in the house, you can quiet down the noise from different areas.
One such point is the laundry room. There are specialized soundproof blankets available in the market. You can use them in two ways:
- Spread it all over the machine
- Spread the blanket on the ground, position the machine at the center of this blanket, and stick the spare blanket portion along the sides
In both cases, you can use two blankets. Toss the second one upon the washing machine when it is operating.
It is essential to ensure the cleanliness of these blankets. Make sure that you dry the blanket after the laundry is over. It will extract all the foul smell and leave it usable for the next wash.
6. Pad the washing machine sides
Covering up the machine with blankets isn’t a viable solution. It also impairs the aesthetics of a laundry room, making it look dirtier than it is.
Also, you may have realized that the room is considerably smaller than it should be. This forces the machine to tap against the walls and produce noise.
In both cases, you can opt to pad the machine sides. It has a self-adhesive property that doesn’t require tiring handy work.
7. Soundproof the laundry room
Sometimes, a soundproof washing machine is impossible to create despite all the DIYs you try. How about soundproofing the entire room instead?
There are multiple ways to soundproof a room and the doors. For example, you can seal the door sweeps or install soundproof curtains for the wall.
There are also some methods to soundproof the air vents if you have them in the laundry area.
Moreover, you could use some techniques to soundproof the walls and floors too. You can install fabric panels on the walls or use the mass-loaded vinyl on the floor.
FAQs
How can I dampen the washing machine vibration?
There is a variety of mats available to reduce the washing machine vibration.
The molded mats and anti-vibration pads can absorb the excess noise from the machine structure to provide a more silent laundry space.
How can I make my laundry area quieter?
There are several strategies to reduce the noise in your laundry area.
For instance, you can install fabric panels on the walls and install door sweeps to quiet the doors. Or you can use the soundproof blankets across the walls and door to stop noise from exiting the room.
Does an anti-vibration pad work well for the washing machines?
Yes, many companies sell anti-vibration pads to slip beneath the washer legs.
They absorb the unnecessary noise from the structure and keep it from moving beyond its place.
Final Thoughts
A quiet washing machine is a blessing. If you have an old model that works excellent but makes noise, you can use either of the aforementioned tactics to make it quiet.
You can also use more than one method at once to ensure the complete silence of the machine.
This way, you won’t fret about doing laundry and waking up the family with the loud machine noises.
