How to Minimize Dishwasher Noise

The convenience of a dishwasher is sometimes outweighed by its noise. A noisy dishwasher makes one wonder if it isn't better to wash dishes the old fashioned way. Here are a few tips to minimize dishwasher noise.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Insulate the dishwasher. Insulating the outside of the dishwasher with a sound proofing foam or matt will minimize the noise. Be careful with this one, however. If you're not sure how to pull out your dishwasher to insulate it, call a professional. You don't want to do more harm than good.

2. Check to ensure the dishwasher is leveled. If the dishwasher isn't sitting evenly on the floor, the internal moving parts will cause the machine to shake, rattle and roll. Thus making it noisier than it need be. Sometimes a shim works to level the dishwasher.

3. Watch how you load the dishes. Make sure the dishes are placed securely in the dishwasher. Lightweight items such as small plastic cups or bowls sometimes become dislodged by the power of the spraying water. Items being thrown to and fro in the dishwasher contribute to noise.

4. Purchase a dishwasher that was built to be quiet. Some manufacturers make dishwashers with the noise level in mind. KitchenAid Architect K Series has a "Whisper quiet plus sound insulation system" which purportedly minimizes dishwasher noise. Shop around before you buy.

Resources

• KitchenAid Quite Dishwasher
• Homemade Dishwashing Detergent