Domestic appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers or vacuum cleaners can be very noisy, and cause a surprising number of complaints.
Be considerate
We all have to fit the housework around our schedules but this doesn’t give us the right to hoover at 1am or switch the washing machine on at dawn.
Minimising noise
To make sure we all get the peace and quiet we need, here are some tips to keep you and your neighbours stress-free, well-slept and happy.
- Don’t use domestic appliances outside the recommended:
Monday to Friday – 8am to 9pm
Saturdays – 9am to 5pm
Sundays – 10am to 2pm.
- Position the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher as far away from your neighbours as possible, preferably on an internal wall, not the one between you and next door. Ideally it should be on a solid floor, ground if possible.
- Minimise vibration by placing the machine on a rubber mat or additional layers of carpet.
- Make sure the machine is well maintained. It will make more noise if it is not looked after.
- Follow the instructions regarding weight of the load in washing machines and dryers. Too little, or too much can cause the drum to vibrate and make an awful amount of noise. It also wears out your machine.
For more information
Take a look at the Noise advice leaflet (pdf 27Kb) for more detail on this issue.
(To view this document, you will require Adobe Acrobat, this can be downloaded via the link on the right.)
For general enquiries, call 020 8921 8921 or email noise.team@greenwich.gov.uk.
Related link
How to complain