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A rattling washing machine is one of the most annoying noises around. No matter where you are in the house, you will always be able to hear it. It means you have to carefully plan when you are going to do your washing...too late and it will wake the neighbours or your children up, and you don't want to have to put it in during the day if you are working from home. Soundproofing a washing machine is, thankfully, a rather simple process. It just involves a little time and effort, and at the end of it your machine will hardly make a sound. The first thing you need to do, is ensure there are no loose components that are rattling. This is probably the easiest bit to sort out, although it may involve having to pull it out and away from the wall. Tighten up any loose screws and fittings. If you find loose boards, either fix them down or wrap them in material so they don't clatter. The best thing to use for this is noise dampening tape, which you run along the edge of the panels. The second thing to do, is remove your machine from its current position. If you are lucky, it will be light enough to move on your own...if not, you might have to get someone to help you. Lay down a rubber mat in its place, and put the washing machine back on top of it. The rubber will help to absorb the noise before it hits the floor, making it altogether quieter. If you have gaps between the machine and the walls, or other appliances that are next to it, fill them with sound absorbing foam. You can buy these in blocks or sheets, and you just need to cut them to size. Use sound absorbing tape to hold them in place, if needed. You can even take it a step further and attach noise vibration sheets to the sides of your washing machine. These have to go directly onto the machine itself, so make sure you are willing to do so first. If you are going to be selling it off later, this might not be the best idea. The sheets need to be cut to size, and fixed on with a thin layer of concrete adhesive. Your washing machine should now be ready to go! Ensure that it is completely flat on the floor, and that it isn't going to be bumping into anything. Fill up any extra gaps with soundproofing foam sheets, and make sure that nothing is sitting on the top that could be rattling around. Your machine should now be a lot quieter when it is in use. You won't hear a rattle, and will be able to relax in your own house!
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Soundproofing, acoustic insulation, domestic soundproofing,
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