Washing machines are a huge convenience, and we are not thinking of getting rid of them anytime soon. However, this convenience comes at a cost sometimes. Loud vibrations. While we might have a decent amount of tolerance at first, this might not last very long. Your neighbors downstairs might not have any tolerance at all. Instead of having them consider different ways of soundproofing their ceiling, you should buy anti-vibration mats for washing machines.
What is an Anti-Vibration Mat
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How the washing machine works may cause it to vibrate. Sometimes how you load the machine may lead to the machine vibrating. This vibration causes uncomfortable noises that you do not have to put up with. Anti-vibration pads dampen the vibrations by cushioning the machine. In addition, the soft material the anti-vibration pads are made of reduces vibrations significantly.
Best Anti-Vibration Mats for Washing Machines
Here are the vibration mats you can count on to give you a much-needed break from washing machine vibrations.
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1) Ideaworks Anti-Vibration Pads
- NOISE & MOVEMENT REDUCTION: The anti-vibrations pads are designed...
- MONEY SAVER: The pad may help reduce maintenance costs
- UNIVERSAL USE: The pads can be used for all washers and dryers
- EASY INSTALLATION: Simply slide the pads under each corner for...
- items measures DIAMETER 2.50 X 0.80”
If your washing machine is a walking machine, it is time to put that problem to rest. My washing machine stayed put once I fit the pads and my problems were of the past. The anti-vibration pads are designed to do precisely the job they were manufactured to do, reducing the impact of the vibrations from the washing machine.
image source: joom.com
Ideaworks is the most reviewed anti-vibration mats manufacturer, and for good reasons. You can use the pads as washer or dryer pads. You are not restricted to the washing machine regarding these pads. Ideaworks have the best anti-vibration mats, and your machine will go unnoticed each spin cycle.
These pads not only reduce noise but also elongate the machine's life and reduce any repair costs on the floor or the machine long-term. In addition, the pads are easy to install and the best choice for different floors.
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2) Anti-Vibration Pads with Tank Tread Grip
- ✔ TANK TREAD GRIP PATTERN … Keep your machine glued to the...
- ✔ INCLUDED LEVEL STOPS WALKING … The only way to ensure...
- ✔ RESTORE PEACE & QUIET … Dampen loud washing machines with...
- ✔ FAST & EASY INSTALLATION … No special tools or skills...
- ✔ PROTECTS YOUR FLOOR … Our washer and dryer pedestals...
One of the most important features to check is how well the pads will fit and how effective they will be once you fit them on the washing machine. Different washers have different feet. When we bought these pads, we were not sure what to expect. However, the pads ended up being my personal best.
image source: Wayfair.ca
The pads have treads beneath them to reduce movement whenever the machine runs. Adding to the fact that these pads are made of rubber, they are going nowhere. The pads are durable and sturdy, enduring the safety of your machine.
The best thing about these rubber pads is that they come with a bubble level. So if the washing machine is on a level surface, you can be sure the vibrations will be significantly reduced.
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3) Diversitech Anti-Vibration Pad
Unlike the first two pads, we found these pads the easiest to work with because all we needed to do was slide them into place. The pads do not require the feet to have specific shapes to be compatible. You can stand any washing machine on these pads.
image source: gistgear.com
You can use either side of the pads and still be good to go. We found the pads to have weight evenly distributed better than other pads we had tried. This is because the pads are wider to spread out the weight properly.
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4) Shop Fox Anti-Vibration Pad
- Neoprene Rubber; Black
- Measure 36 by 24 by 1/8-Inch
- Long lasting
This mat is most suitable for me as a DIYer because I can use it for multiple purposes, one of them being the dampening of vibrations. I use this mat to dampen vibrations of my DIY tools, the washing machine, and anything that vibrates. The mat has other uses, including the lining of drawers and other surfaces.
image source: Newegg.com
You can use this mat to protect surfaces when using different machines. The best thing about this mat is that you can cut it into a size you deem fit for your machine. You can use a normal blade or utility knife to cut the mat. Some people prefer having their machines on a wooden board. This mat is handy to protect the machine and the floor through adequate shock absorption.
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5) RevTime Anti Vibration Mats
- This anti-vibration mat, made from soft, granular rubber is...
- Perfect for under washing machines, dryers, dish-washers, or even...
- It is designed to withstand heavy equipment and offers protection...
- Good also as an anti-fatigue mat in the workplace.
- The non-slip design is made of thick and heavy rubber which makes...
The granular design is the one thing we liked most about this mat. This mat under your machine will be the best solution for a walking machine. This mat is the best solution for other machines in workplaces other than the washing machine. This shows how reliable the anti-vibration washing machine mat is.
image source: soundproofliving.com
Why rubber from this machine is heavy, and the floor will not suffer any impact. This mat was made for heavy foot traffic, and we liked using it for a while. RevTime anti-vibration mats are the most affordable options you can go for in your quest for a good mat.
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6) Anti-Walk Silent Feet
- LIMITS HOME APPLIANCE MOVEMENT: If your dryer or washing machine...
- FITS MOST MODELS: We wanted this pad to be universal in its...
- EASY TO INSTALL: Part of what makes these pads so great is how...
- STOP UP TO 94.7% OF VIBRATION: Because of the Sorbothane...
- MADE IN THE USA: Our products are proudly made in the USA by our...
We found these pads to be useful in a lot of situations. We almost had them in all appliances in the house. The pads protect the floor and are useful in different washing machines. Whether we installed the feet on a top loader or my friend's front loader never mattered. The results were consistent and satisfactory.
image source: isolateit.com
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7) Rubber-Cal Anti Vibration Washing Machine Mat
- 3/8 inch thick anti vibration mat made from recycled rubber
- Designed to withstand heavy equipment as an appliance floor...
- Tough mat absorbs washing machine vibration and isolates noise...
- 100% recycled rubber tires will act as fantastic washer and dryer...
- An affordable anti vibration, floor protection, and impact...
Rubber-Cal is four by six feet, meaning you can fit any machine on top. We found this our best pick whenever we wanted something extra to work with and enjoyed every bit of it. The mat looks neat and does not affect the look of your laundry room. Unfortunately, there is much more you can do with the mat than solve the washing machine vibration problem. However, the mat is plenty, and you will not run out easily.
image source: soundproofpanda.com
You can make bits for other uses too.
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Why do I Need an Anti-Vibration Mat?
Anti-vibration mats for washing machines are a huge advantage that reduces the washing machine noise. The mats have other applications, including the following.
a) Protecting the Floor
An anti-vibration pad is the best floor protector if you own a washing machine that you use regularly. There are a lot of anti-vibration products that you can consider, but the advantages are more or less similar. A black rubber floor protector will be an as effective solution as a sponge protector in keeping your wooden floor safe from scratches.
image source: rubbervibrationpads.com
Some floor types are made to be aesthetically pleasing, and you can avoid spending so much money on repairs.
b) Anti-vibration Pads Protect the Machine
The vibrations from washing machines can have a negative long-term effect in the long run. If the machine has the potential to damage the floor, then it is true that the reaction force on the machine will be damaging too. A washer that is ever busy will deteriorate even faster. Anti-vibration pads are the most effective solution to absorb vibrations from the washing machine and impact the floor softer.
image source: SoundproofPanda.com
c) Anti-Vibration Pads Protect other Appliances
When washing machines vibrate, they tend to move across the floor in some cases, depending on how you arrange clothes inside the machine. Unfortunately, this can damage other appliances that may be next to the washing machine. The best solution for this is a non-slip rubber pad that will not only reduce the movement but will do a great job of reducing noise.
image source: Amazon.in
d) Anti-Vibration Pads Protect Your Neighbor Downstairs from Noise
The washing machine feet are on your floor but your neighbor's ceiling. Your laundry room can become a nightmare for your neighbor downstairs, who might not be comfortable with the noises from the washing machine vibration. There are ways of going about this, including installing noise-absorbing flooring. However, options like these can be costly.
image source: Whirlpool.com
A simple anti-vibration washing machine mat will get the job done without you having to fight your neighbor downstairs.
e) Anti-Vibration Mats Eliminate Markings on the Floor
When you remove appliances like the fridge or the washing machine from the floor after a long period, you will see markings around the feet where they contact the floor. These markings are a result of fluids flowing down the spaces below appliances that might be hard to clean. While the anti-vibration pads reduce washing machine noise, you will protect your floor from markings when moving the machine to another spot.
image source: etonline.com
f) No Negatives
Using the anti-vibration mat on washing machines has no negative effect. The mats are just there to help make your washing machine experience positive.
What to Check When Buying Anti-vibration Washing Machine Mat
Different companies offer anti-vibration washing machine mats, and you have to pick one from the many choices. We have narrowed down the options you have to pick from in our list above. Then, you can use more features to get the mat that will serve you best.
1) Style/Look
Designing the interior of your house is everything we advocate for. We want all the solutions to look good at the end of the day. We consider an ugly solution as a different problem. Therefore, you need to pick the best mat that will suit the colors and design of the laundry room. No one should tell at first glance that there is something off with the washing machine.
image source: forbes.com
Then you can pick a color you love as some manufacturers offer this option. This can be the first step toward choosing the mat. Keep the looks in mind whenever you shop for the mat.
2) Material
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Most mats are made out of rubber, which will be the market's most dominant option. The material you are choosing will mostly affect the flooring. Some materials harbor water under them, causing a bad look on the floor. The biggest question remains, will the material provide resilient cushioning enough to absorb shock from the mat?
3) Design
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Some mats are designed to cover the whole area under the washing machine. Others are designed to provide anti-slip, silent feet beneath the washing machine. There are different makes of washing machines with different designs on the feet, and you might need different solutions to different washing machines.
Your choice will depend on how compatible your washing machine will be with the design of the material you will be using as anti-vibration mats.
4) Price
You probably have a budget, which is the case for everyone before making a purchase. There are affordable mats at different price points for everyone. The mats we have provided in the list above are affordable and effective in the work they can do. The prices do not differ much and are never the biggest factor when choosing between mats.
5) Thickness
How heavy is your washing machine? This might inform the thickness of the machine you are going to choose. If your washing machine has a higher capacity, choosing a heavier mat would reduce the washing machine vibration more effectively. The thicker the mat, the better. There can never be a time when buying a thick mat was a disadvantage.
image source: indiamart.com
You need to watch out for buying a thin mat for a heavy washing machine as this will not be effective. Instead, look at the weight limit for the anti-vibration mat options to ensure they match your washing machine.
Final Thoughts
You can not miss out on a solution for your vibrating washing machine. The mats and pads we have highlighted above will get the job done, and your neighbor downstairs will be at an all-time peace once again. In addition, your floors and the washing machine are protected from the potential adverse effects of the washing machine vibration.
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