Having a loud washing machine instead of a quiet one does come with one noteworthy advantage — you can always know when your laundry is done, even if you are in a totally different part of the house!
All jokes aside, nobody enjoys listening to loud and consistent noise patterns while trying to read a book or relax in the living room after a long day. In fact, there isn’t one scenario I could imagine where I would enjoy such a noise.
You might have tried to search for a quiet space in a room far away from the washing machine, but it didn’t work. Why was that so? Well, unfortunately, the noise from the laundry room tends to travel through the whole house, making it impossible to find salvation from it.
Also, you probably thought about buying a new, quieter machine at some point. However, as these machines aren’t exactly cheap, and none of them are 100% quiet, that isn’t a plan of action I would actually recommend.
On the other hand, focusing on the source — the noisy washing machine in the laundry room — is the right approach. If you decide to soundproof your laundry room, you will instantly be able to notice the difference in the whole house!
There are numerous noise-canceling methods out there that could help you put a stop to the noise without breaking the budget. For example, fitting some anti-vibration pads and mats under the washer, or doing some simple soundproofing adjustments on the laundry room door and walls.
If you want to learn a few easy tips that will help you eliminate, or at least reduce, any noise coming from your laundry room, keep reading.
Soundproofing the Laundry Room Door
When you’re trying to combat a sound-related problem, you should first focus on the doors — together with the windows, they are the weakest link. If the noise coming from the laundry room is constantly annoying you, consider replacing your old hollow door with a new soundproof model.
A soundproof door will definitely help eliminate the noise right away. However, these doors are rather expensive; so, while the solution is quick and easy, it isn’t an ideal one for those who are looking to save a few bucks.
Luckily, there are cheaper ways to soundproof the laundry room door.
Consider a Door Bottom Sweep
Have you ever seen a door sweep? It is a device similar to a broom that you attach to the bottom of the door and seal the gap between the door and the floor. A door sweep prevents the sound from the laundry room from passing under the door and going into the rest of the house.
It doesn’t matter what kind of door you have; there will always be some space left between it and the floor. The gap has to exist so that you can smoothly open and close the door. However, the gap also allows the sound to escape the room.
So, I recommend that you inspect your laundry room door and see how big the gap is. Then, buy a high-quality door sweep and install it on the bottom of the door. It’s best to search for those with a self-adhesive tape — they are more practical than those you have to screw into the door.
You will be able to install a self-adhesive door sweep quickly and with no mess. And the best news is that it will start blocking the noise as soon as you install it.
Install a soundproof Door Blanket
If you feel that the door sweep isn’t helping enough, don’t despair; there are additional steps you can take. Think about attaching a soundproof door blanket to your laundry room door. These blankets are made of thick sound absorbing materials that soak up airborne noise from the washing machine before it manages to reach the door itself.
The best soundproof blankets on the market are pretty cheap; also, they are efficient and super easy to both attach and remove. In fact, you won’t need more than a minute to have one installed.
Simply take a few nails and tack them into the corners of the door frame together with the blanket. If you need to remove the blanket after a while, just remove it together with the nails and save it for next time.
While these blankets aren’t the most stylish solution out there, they are an effective one. Also, the blanket will be inside the laundry room, so the way it looks won’t be of utmost importance. Plus, it’s not like people will come inside your laundry room to see how it looks.
Soundproofing the Laundry Room Floor
Ever heard of impact noise? This particular type of noise occurs when an object — in this case, the washing or drying machine — makes an impact on a building element — in this case, the laundry room floor.
The machine causes vibrations that are transferred to the floor and then sent further to the structure of the house. That’s why you feel that everything’s shaking when your washer/dryer is in full force.
Luckily, there is an easy way to stop the noise from transferring to the floor — anti-vibration pads for washing machines.
These rubber pads work by improving the grip and thus stopping the washing machine from moving, which reduces the vibrations. Then, the layered design on the pads “absorbs” the rest of the vibrations before they reach the floor.
Naturally, anti-vibration pads cannot fix the entire problem on their own, but they can definitely help lower the noise frequency. Also, these pads are very affordable; they cost only a couple of dollars. Get a muscular friend to help you fit one under the machine and you are all set!
DIY tip: If you are feeling crafty, consider making your own anti-vibration pad from corks instead of buying one. Simply cut the corks so that they can fit under the machine. You should know that this might not work as well as the professional mats, but it will help to a certain point.
For more ideas on how to soundproof the floor, read the article in the link.
Soundproofing the Laundry Room Walls
Think About Soundproofing Materials
You can add a soundproofing material to the walls of your laundry room and thus dampen the sound coming from it. This can be especially beneficial if your laundry room is next to your bedroom and the consistent noise pattern is starting to drive you crazy.
There are many soundproofing materials on the market, but when it comes to walls, it’s best to pick something heavier. The installation is pretty straightforward; you should be able to put the material on the wall, prime it, paint over it, and then enjoy the silence. These materials can reduce more than 75% of noise, which is incredible!
Another option is picking a soundproofing material that is installed under the drywall. However, this would take more time than the first option, so I recommend it to those who are interested in reconstructing their home.
Try Layering the Walls
The laundry room is the last place in your home that you would want to show your first-time guests. In fact, nobody cares about seeing it. But that is actually good news.
You probably have at least a few boxes filled with stuff that you don’t really need but you don’t want to throw out either. And you shouldn’t! You can use these boxes to reduce the noise coming from your washing machine.
The sound echoes the loudest through empty space; so, it might be a good idea to fill up your laundry room as soon as possible. Put boxes with clothes or an old closet as closely to the walls as possible. The more you layer the walls, the quieter your home will become.
Final Thoughts
The consistent sound pattern coming from your laundry room can make you feel irritated or even frustrated. Luckily, you don’t have to stop doing your laundry; there are multiple methods you can put to use to reduce the noise caused by your washing machine.
Don’t contemplate too much; instead, pick one or more methods that suit you the most and get to work. Buy an anti-vibration mat, install a door sweep, or consider investing in a high-quality soundproofing material for the walls of your laundry room.
Dedicate yourself to handling the problem and you will be glad that you did. A bit of time, effort, and money will go a long way.
Once you eliminate (or at least reduce) the annoying noise from your washing machine, you will be able to relax at your home — regardless of what your washer is up to.
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- How To Reduce Washing Machine Noise
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- How To Soundproof A Bathroom
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