There are some simple precautions you can take to avoid causing noise nuisance from using your sewing machine. You can still make beautiful clothes without making a horrible noise.
Be considerate
Try not to use your sewing machine when the noise from it is likely to disturb neighbours. Recommended hours for homeworkers in the garment trade industry are:
Monday to Friday – 9am to 6pm
Saturdays – 9am to 1pm
No work on Sundays and Bank Holidays
Minimising noise
- Place your machine as far from neighbours as possible, next to an internal wall of the property and not one adjoining a neighbour’s property.
- Try to isolate the machine. Place it on a rubber mat or additional layers of carpet to reduce vibration.
- Make sure you have the sewing machine well-maintained. It will make more noise if it is not looked after.
- Ensure the machine is powerful enough for the cloth being used. If the material is too thick, the machine will be straining and will be making extra noise.
Deliveries and collections
Deliveries and collections should be between 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays. No work should be carried out on Sundays and Public Holidays.
For more information
Download this leaflet: Noise from sewing machines (pdf 29Kb).
(To view this document, you will require Adobe Acrobat, this can be downloaded via the link on the right.)
For general enquiries, phone 020 8921 8921 or email noise.team@greenwich.gov.uk.
Related link
How to complain