A noisy dishwasher can turn your peaceful/quiet home into a mess. Studies have shown that exposure to loud noises can negatively affect your health. (Source)
But a noisy dishwasher doesn’t mean that you no longer clean the dishes. There are different ways you can insulate a dishwasher to make it quieter without breaking the bank.
In this article we’re going to discuss:
- General Dishwasher Insulation
- Dishwasher Insulation Blanket
- Benefits Of Sound Insulating A Dishwasher
What Is Considered a Loud Dishwasher?
The loudness or quietness of a dishwasher is given in decibel ratings.
The noise issue wasn’t an issue when dishwashers become the major household appliances in the 1970s.
Fast forward 21st century and consumers are willing to invest more cash in household appliances that operate quietly.
Dishwashers sound decibel ratings range between 38dBA to 63dBA, with the former being the quietest and later the noisiest.
Any dishwasher with noise ratings below 52dBA is a quiet one compared to traditional dishwashers.
Here’s a good example:
Normal human conversation produces 50-60 decibels, while whisper only gives around 30 decibels.
That’s why some dishwashers are known as whisper quiet.
Dishwasher Insulation Step by Step Guide
For some reason, if you got rid of the insulation that came with your dishwasher, there is a way you can add insulation. (*)
Step 1: Prepare the Dishwasher
For safety purposes, first, turn off the dishwasher from the water source and subsequently unplug it from the socket.
Then remove the front panel of the dishwasher. Take a screwdriver and then remove the screws located along the inside of the dishwasher door.
After removing the screws, close the door and remove the front panel.
Step 2: Prepare the Sound-Absorbent Matting
The next step would be to measure your washer’s front panel length, length width, and depth.
Then purchase some insulation or sound-absorbing matt to fit it in this space. You’ll need to cut the insulation matt into size.
After you’ve cut to size, the next step would be to insert the insulation into the front panel and then screw back the screws in place.
Step 3: Remove the Dishwasher from the Cabinets
Disconnect all water lines to the washer and remove it from the cabinet away from the wall.
You will first need to unscrew the screws that hold the dishwasher into place and then remove it from the cabinet.
Replace the insulating blanket that goes over the top and along the sides of the dishwasher.
Like any other material, the blanket is bound to wear and tear, and with time it becomes less effective in reducing unwanted noise.
You can use this dishwasher insulating blanket to help reduce noise and vibrations.
Additionally, you ensure that you attach matting to the rear side of the dishwasher. The dishwasher can make noise when it knocks against the back wall, and therefore adding matting will help reduce noise.
Cut a small strip of the soundproof mat to run the horizontal length and another to run the vertical length of the dishwasher. Attach these strips to the back of your dishwasher using a durable adhesive like DAP All-Purpose Sealant.
Step 4: Reassemble Back the Dishwasher
After you’ve added the insulating material, it’s time to reassemble your dishwasher. Reattach all the hoses and plug the appliance back into the power supply.
Turn the dishwasher on, and it’s ready for another cycle of dish washing.
Dishwasher Insulation Blanket
A dishwasher insulation blanket is a type of blanket with sound dampening properties.
They are versatile and can be used in soundproofing other home appliances such as home theaters and walls, or doors.
Below are the three best dishwasher insulation blankets on the market today.
1. UniTherm Ceramic Fiber Insulation Blanket
The UniTherm ceramic blanket measures 24 inches by 60inches by 1 inch. It’s rated 2300 degrees F, making it great not only for dishwashers but also for insulating furnaces, kilns, and ovens.
It’s a double needled blanket that’s fire resistance and provides better insulation. The blanket is flexible, making it easy to cover all the curved sides of your dishwasher to insulate all the spaces.
2. Ceramic Fiber Insulation
Designed by Morgan Ceramics, one of the leading companies in the United States, Ceramic fiber insulation is one of the best insulation blankets.
The insulation blanket measures 24x12x1 inches, and its rated 2400 degrees F. It’s a versatile insulation sheet and hence can be used in other appliances.
It comes with a CM-Ceramic Ergo Knife to ensure that you cut the blanket in desired sizes.
The knife also features a snap-off blade and safety latch. Wear a safety dust mask when unboxing this insulation blanket to avoid health-related complications.
3. HM & FC Insulation Blanket
This blanket comes in 2 density capacities that make it versatile. It’s a great blanket for insulating areas where there are tensions and compressions.
The blanket has a temperature rating of up to 2400 degrees F and measures 12 x24x1 inches.
Quietest Dishwasher on the Market
If you find these entire insulating steps too technical for you, there’s a more natural way out. Invest in a quiet dishwasher and solve your noise problem once and for all.
Some quiet dishwasher models you can get today include:
- Maytag quiet series 300 dishwasher
- Whirlpool dishwasher quiet partner ii
Does A Dishwasher Need an Insulation Blanket?
The truth is that the insulation blanket that comes with your dishwasher isn’t just a packing material.
This insulation blanket wraps around the part that sits on the counter, and it’s a vital addition that ensures that the unit performs its best.
This insulation helps not only reduce noise but also keep in the heat.
Once the appliance is installed, this blanket should no longer be visible, and you can forget about it.
If the insulation blanket is damaged or has been removed, it needs service or replacement.
Benefits Dishwasher Insulation
The insulation that comes with your dishwashers serves different reasons. And while it doesn’t play a role in its operation, it does make a significant difference.
So you shouldn’t get rid of this material when installing your dishwasher. Below are several reasons why dishwasher insulation is important.
Noise Reduction
Dishwashers are noisy kitchen appliances. The gurgle of the drain, water sprays during the wash cycle, and the hum and buzz of the dishwasher make a real mess.
That’s why insulation is essential. It helps dampen the sounds of your dishwasher during its cleaning cycle.
Soundproofing technology has improved in recent years and manufacturers have designed models that are whisper quiet.
Reduce Vibrations
Advanced motors may help reduce dishwasher vibrations, but insulation still plays a vital role in reducing vibrations.
Most dishwashers are installed inside wooden cabinets. For this reason, the insulation between the dishwasher and the cabinets help significantly reduce vibrations and stop your appliance from rattling.
Adding insulation in the doors will help stop the front of the appliance from rattling.
Steam, Water, and Heat Protection
Dishwashers can get pretty hot during wash cycles. They use extra hot water, which turns the unit into very hot metal.
The heat, steam, and water that escape from your dishwasher can make your wooden cabinets damp, resulting in mold and mildew which can lead to expensive repairs.
Insulating your dishwasher will help create a protective layer around the appliance keeping your wooden cabinets and floor safe from damage.
Dishwasher Insulation Alternative
There are several dishwasher insulation alternatives available on the market today that allow you to muffle the noise the appliance makes.
You could use moving blankets. You could also use sound deadening mats, which are designed to dampen noise whenever they are installed.
Additionally, to reduce vibration and impacts noise transmission, it would be better to equip yourself with some anti-vibration pads and fix them on the dishwasher legs.
An ultimate solution that will quiet every kitchen appliance would be to soundproof the entire kitchen.
These hacks will also make your blender quiet and other kitchen appliance you have.
You should also avoid using too many sound-absorbing materials as they soak up and could contribute to those nasty kitchen smells.
You can glue something like mass loaded vinyl on the dishwasher side, including the door, to help dampen impact sounds.
On Dishwasher Insulation Blanket
A loud dishwasher can be a pain in the @$$, especially when you have a baby sleeping next room.
In addition, a noisy washer can also make normal conversation in the kitchen impossible. Fortunately, there are different ways you can fix this- highlighted step by step above.
Alternatively, you can invest in a quiet dishwasher- especially when all the above methods fail. Newer models use advanced soundproofing technology, which dramatically reduces unwanted noise levels.
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.