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Silent Kitchens: Whisper-Quiet Washers & Gadgets

Research shows that nearly half of all Brits think noise is an important factor to consider when buying a new appliance – and that figure rises to 61 percent for those with open plan kitchens. ‘We have noticed that customers have an increasing awareness of household noise, and the negative impact it can have’, says John Lewis electronics buyer Jonathan Marsh. But just what is this negative impact?

Believe it or not, your noisy household appliances could be affecting your health. The World Health Organisation reports that 1 in 5 Europeans are exposed to potentially dangerous noise levels in the home. ‘Safe’ levels are determined to be less than 55 dB, but the average washing machine can reach 78dB during a spin cycle. Ongoing exposure to loud noises in the home could raise blood pressure, and even increase the risk of heart attack. So here’s our top 5 whisper-quiet kitchen appliances that will NOT be music to your ears…

Washing Machine

While a standard washing machine can top out at almost 80 dB, a super quiet model is much kinder to the ears, with a maximum of 75 dB during the spin, and 52 dB during the wash cycle. If you like putting a load on before you go to bed, these machines can be a godsend – you’ll sleep like a baby!

Dishwasher

If you’re in the market for a new dishwasher, take note of the noise rating. Ideally, you’ll want a noise level of between 40 and 50 dB which will be virtually silent – you can even get dishwashers with a level as low as 38 dB! Anything about 60 dB could make kitchen conversations a little tricky.

Refrigerator

Modern, ‘American style’ refrigerators have a bit of a bad reputation for noise, so consider whether all those extra features are really necessary. Built-in ice makers, for example, might seem like a good idea in the height of summer, but they’re some of the noisest aspects of the entire appliance!

Tumble Dryer

Tumble dryers are naturally quite noisy – but that doesn’t mean your ears have to suffer. It’s well worth checking out appliances that have the ‘Quiet Mark’ seal of approval. Quiet Mark is the UK Noise Abatement Society’s recognition of appliances that meet strict noise level criteria in Britain.

Kitchen Extractor Fan

Super quiet kitchen extractor fans can help to reduce the risk of mold and mildew in the kitchen, while also keeping the sound to a minimum. They work by being mounted to silent elastic blocks which absorb sound vibrations to reduce noise. They work excellently in steamy bathrooms, too.