How loud is a washing machine?
Typical loudness
70 dB
A powered drum that washes clothes, loading either from the top or through a front door.
CDC lists a washing machine or dishwasher at about 70 dB.
How that compares
Washing machine against things of a similar loudness.
Hair dryer 75–95 dB
Lawn mower 80–85 dB
Leaf blower 65–92 dB
Air compressor 60–92 dB
Vacuum cleaner 62–85 dB
Washing machine 70 dB
Generator 52–82 dB
Air conditioner 50–70 dB
How long you can safely listen
Safe for a full day, though prolonged exposure is tiring.
Decibels are logarithmic, which makes the intuitive arithmetic wrong in a way worth knowing: every 10 dB is ten times the sound energy, and two identical sources together are 3 dB louder than one — not double. So two 70 dB fans are 73 dB, not 140 dB.
Levels are measured at roughly one metre unless stated otherwise. Sound falls off with distance — about 6 dB per doubling — so the same appliance is noticeably quieter across a room than beside your ear.
More about a washing machine
- How much does a washing machine weigh? 55–115 kg
- How much does a washing machine cost? 400–1,800 $
- How long does a washing machine last? 8–14 yr
- Washing machine vs Refrigerator Side by side
- Washing machine vs Oven Side by side
- Washing machine vs Water heater Side by side
- Washing machine vs Freezer Side by side
- Washing machine vs Clothes dryer Side by side
- Washing machine vs Dishwasher Side by side
Common questions
- How loud is a washing machine?
- A washing machine reaches 70 dB. CDC lists a washing machine or dishwasher at about 70 dB.
Related pages
- How much does a washing machine weigh? 55–115 kg
- How much does a washing machine cost? 400–1,800 $
- How long does a washing machine last? 8–14 yr
- How loud is a air conditioner? 50–70 dB
- How loud is a dishwasher? 38–62 dB
- How loud is a vacuum cleaner? 62–85 dB
- How loud is a blender? 80–95 dB
- How loud is a hair dryer? 75–95 dB
- How loud is a dehumidifier? 42–58 dB
- How loud is a air purifier? 24–60 dB
- Washing machine vs Refrigerator Side by side
- Washing machine vs Oven Side by side
- Washing machine vs Water heater Side by side
- Washing machine vs Freezer Side by side
- Washing machine vs Clothes dryer Side by side
- Washing machine vs Dishwasher Side by side
Sources
- What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Public domain (US Government))
- Occupational Noise Exposure — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Public domain (US Government))