Few things are more annoying than a loud washing machine that you can hear throughout the entire house while you’re trying to relax. If you’ve thought about getting a new (and quieter) machine, though, I wouldn’t recommend this plan. Washing machines typically aren’t cheap, and no machine is 100 percent quiet.
The best and most reliable option is, instead, to soundproof your laundry room door—and this doesn’t have to be expensive. Below, I’ve outlined the steps you’ll need to take to soundproof your laundry room door without spending more than $50.
How to Soundproof a Laundry Room Door Cheaply and Easily
1. Install a Soundproof Blanket
Most doors on the inside of a home are hollow, since hollow doors are less expensive to make. Hollow doors provide an excellent physical barrier between rooms, but they’re no good when it comes to acting as a noise barrier. Getting a solid wood door would be the best alternative, but they’re quite expensive, and they’re usually only installed in homes upon request.
Instead, we recommend that you get a soundproof blanket for your door. These blankets are made of thick, sound-absorbing materials that’ll soak up airborne noise from a washing machine before it can reach the door itself. These blankets are very affordable, and they’re easy to install since they have grommets. You can easily hang a soundproof blanket by using approximately four nails or tacks, and the job won’t take you more than 10 minutes to complete.
There are many different soundproof blankets available these days, at a wide range of prices, and it’s a good idea to investigate a variety of options before making a choice. As a start to your research, check out this blanket that has many positive user reviews online.
2. Get Washing Machine Pads
Another important step on the road to soundproofing your laundry room is purchasing these anti-vibration pads, which are both cheap and effective. You’ll need to purchase two sets of four pads, so you’ll have one set for the washer and another for the dryer. Most machines have four feet, so if that’s the case for yours, you can simply place one pad underneath each foot.
Since a lot of the loud noise that comes from a washer or dryer is created by vibration, installing anti-vibration pads will enable you to cut down the amount of noise the machines produce by 40 percent.
If you’re like most people, however, and don’t want to spend any money at all, then you can simply place cork pads underneath the washing machine, or even a folded-up towel. These won’t be as effective as the anti-vibration pads, but they’ll still reduce the noise level.
3. Use a Door Sweep Cover
If you want to make sure your laundry room door is completely soundproof, then I recommend that you use an economical door sweep cover. A door sweep is placed at the bottom of the door to seal the gap between the floor and the door—so loud noise can’t escape through it.
Typically, you’ll be able to install your door sweep quickly, without making a mess. Before getting a sweep, though, you should measure your door and the gap beneath it, so you’ll know which size to purchase. If you select a door sweep that’s made of three layers of material, it can dramatically reduce the amount of sound you’ll hear.
4. Add a Soundproof Door Seal
Soundproof door seals are simple seals that are made of weatherproof material. These can be used under or above your laundry room door, in order to minimize the amount of sound coming from the room. When you’re adding a seal, just make sure there isn’t any leakage, or the addition will end up being a waste of time.
Conclusion
Obtaining anti-vibration pads, weatherstripping seals and a door sweep will bring you to a total cost of less than $50. A soundproof blanket will be a bit more expensive, but in my opinion, it’ll be well worth the investment.
After obtaining these materials and following the steps above carefully, you should be able to stop most of the unwanted noise from exiting your laundry room and circulating throughout your home. These methods won’t eliminate the noise completely, but you should notice a big difference. Once you can no longer hear a whole lot of noise coming from your washing machine, you’ll be able to relax more peacefully and comfortably at the end of the day.
If you’ve found this article helpful, you may be interested in our guide to soundproofing an above-door air vent.
image: Pixabay