What to do about noise from the washing machine

Are you troubled by the sound of your washing machine during the spin cycle? The constant rumbling, vibrating, and banging can be quite annoying, especially if you live in an apartment or have a laundry room next to your bedroom. Fortunately, there's a solution: soundproofing for washing machines. Read here how you can reduce the noise from your washing machine and which products work best.

Why is my washing machine making so much noise?

Washing machines are complex devices with many moving parts. During washing and especially during spinning, these parts can produce quite a bit of noise and vibrations. This noise can spread in two ways: as airborne noise and as impact noise. Below we explain the causes.

Airborne sound and contact sound: the difference

Airborne noise: This is the sound that is transmitted directly through the air. Think of the humming of the motor, the spinning of the drum, or the sound of water flowing in and out of the machine. This type of noise is especially audible in the room where the washing machine is located.

Impact noise: This sound is created by vibrations produced by the washing machine and transmitted through the floor and walls. Especially during the spin cycle, a lot of impact noise occurs, allowing this type of sound to spread throughout the entire house or building.

Main causes of noise pollution from washing machines

Vibrations during spinning: During spinning, the washing machine causes the most vibrations, which often results in contact noise that spreads through the floor.
Hard floor: A washing machine on a hard surface can produce more contact noise because the vibrations are transmitted more easily. An example is having your washing machine on a wooden floor, tiles, or concrete.
Unevenly distributed laundry: When the laundry is not evenly distributed in the drum, the machine becomes unbalanced, causing extra vibrations and noise.
Worn shock absorbers: Shock absorbers normally absorb the vibrations of the washing machine. When they are worn out, both the air noise and contact noise increase.
Loose parts: As the washing machine ages, parts may become loose, causing extra noise and vibrations.
Old motor: An old or worn motor may create more noise, which particularly contributes to the air noise.

With the right soundproofing products, you can significantly reduce both the air noise and contact noise from your washing machine.

The solution: sound insulation for washing machines

Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the noise from your washing machine. Sound insulation ensures that vibrations and sound waves are absorbed, which reduces the noise. The most effective solutions are:

Countering contact noise:

To reduce contact noise, we recommend using vibration dampers for washing machines. You can create a washing machine vibration mat with the EASYbond vibration isolation, which is 3 cm thick. This material decouples your washing machine from the floor, reducing the transmission of vibrations.

How to make an effective washing machine damper:

Place the EASYbond on a hard surface, such as tiles or concrete.
Place a plywood sheet under the washing machine, on top of the EASYbond, to evenly distribute the weight of the washing machine. For the best results, we recommend using a double layer of plywood.
This creates a 'sandwich' construction, which helps to reduce impact noise.

Countering airborne noise:

You can reduce the noise from a washing machine by placing the machine in a separate, enclosed space. If this is not possible, there are other effective solutions:

Sound absorption

Place sound-absorbent material, such as EASYfoam FireSeal with a thickness of 40-50 mm, on the wall behind the washing machine. These materials are ideal for dampening sound, especially by reducing direct sound reflections. This results in a noticeable reduction of airborne noise.

Building casting

To further reduce airborne noise, building an enclosure around the washing machine is a good option:

Use heavy materials, such as plywood, preferably in a double layer for extra sound insulation. The heavier the casing, the better the sound reduction.
Ensure that the casing is fitted with a well-closing door.
Leave sufficient space around the washing machine and line the inside of the casing with sound-absorbing material, such as EASYfoam FireSeal. This helps to effectively absorb the remaining sound.

Benefits of soundproofing for your washing machine

Applying sound insulation for your washing machine brings various benefits:

Less noise pollution

Not only for yourself, but also for your neighbours. This is a great advantage, especially in apartments.

Extended lifespan of the washing machine

By reducing vibrations, the washing machine wears out less quickly.

Better living quality

A quieter environment contributes to more comfort at home.

Tips for installing sound insulation for washing machines

Installing sound insulation is easy, but there are a few things you need to pay attention to:

Ensure the washing machine is level: This reduces vibrations and prevents unnecessary noise.
Place the sound-insulating mat securely under the washing machine: This provides maximum damping.
Combine products for the best result: For optimal sound reduction, use both vibration dampers and a sound-insulating mat.

Soundproofing products

Do you want to quickly and effectively reduce the noise of your washing machine?

Fibers & Foams offers various solutions to reduce both airborne noise and impact noise from your washing machine. We recommend the following products:

EASYfoam FireSeal

Sound absorption

Fireproof (B-s1, d0)
Antibacterial and anti-fungal
Sound-insulating due to high specific gravity (90 kg/m3)

Price by request

EASYbond | Vibration isolation

Vibration isolation

Vibration isolation
Flake foam based on recycled polyurethane foams
Very consistent composition

Price by request

Make your washing machine quiet (again)

The sound of your washing machine no longer has to be a source of frustration. With the right soundproofing, you can make your washing machine much quieter, allowing you to enjoy more peace at home.

If you have any questions, please contact us. We are happy to help you further!