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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think 6.30 is too early to be hearing neighbours washing machine?

67 replies

RaisinRainbow · 30/05/2019 13:48

I know that neighbourly noise is a sensitive and potentially inflammatory issue, but I am feeling disturbed and seeking others perspectives.
My adjoining neighbour has positioned her w machine against a shared wall, such that I can audibly hear the drone of the motor and the rattling of the spin very clearly when it is on.
She used to use it late at night ie around 10pm and I successfully brokered an arrangement by which she doesnt use it late in the evening, which she is broadly complicit with.
From time to time however, she will turn it on at what seems to be an unreasonably early hour - ie 7am and as today, even earlier. She is aware that the sound travels to me, hence our evening agreement.
I'm very anxious by nature and loathe having to bring these types of issues up, but at the same time, I begin seething with stress & upset when triggered.
I'm particularly wary of contacting her as while we were quite friendly when they first moved in, she has grown increasingly less friendly over the years, just a courtesy 'hello' if we pass in the street and not many friendly vibes.
AIBU to mention this to her, or should I just swallow it and keep the peace?
Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 30/05/2019 14:11

usual inconsiderate bunch on here, I see. Your need to save money or whatever is not your neighbours' problem

But OP's sensitivity to noise is her neighbours problem apparently. OP got narked about her doing laundry in the evening, so now she does it in the morning and she's still not happy.

Original poster
RaisinRainbow · 30/05/2019 14:12

Although I'm glad that I dont have some of you guys for neighbours! Grin Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend

OP posts:
DollyPomPoms · 30/05/2019 14:12

I get up at 5am to do chores as I am out the house all day until 8pm. If I don’t put a wash on first thing or last thing it would never get done. Invest in some ear plugs.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 30/05/2019 14:12

Don't do that. You know how much REASONABLE AIBU responses annoy some posters Smile

TreadingThePrimrosePath · 30/05/2019 14:12

You could offer to do her laundry for her. Or move to a detached property more suited to your expectations.

BarbaraofSevillle · 30/05/2019 14:13

So when do you suggest that she does the washing Cassian?

Lets assume she has a fairly standard routine of working M-F and is out of the house 8-6 and is in and out at the weekend.

Being environmentally aware she hangs her washing outside most of the time, so it needs to be ready first thing in the morning and she doesn't want it sat in the machine for hours on end in case it goes a bit smelly.

Running a washing machine is something that we all do, and they're not quiet, granted, but needs must and all that. I'm sure that you, and the OP are not completely silent at all times at home?

happyhillock · 30/05/2019 14:18

I do my washing when i want to that can be anytime between 7am - 9pm, wouldn't appreciate anyone telling when i can put my washing on, you've already told her about the night washing, I'd leave it alone you can't control when people do there housework

Fatasfooook · 30/05/2019 14:21

I think using the machine between the hours of 10-6 would be unreasonable- anytime apart from that is fine

Stuckforthefourthtime · 30/05/2019 14:23

Op has already come back on page 1 and politely conceded she was BU, by the way!

(In my view, yabu but I totally understand your frustration. Full time work is not always conducive to neighbour-friendly washing schedules)

StCharlotte · 30/05/2019 14:24

So when do you suggest that she does the washing Cassian?

I wondered this.

OP is it actually waking you up?

WinterWillow · 30/05/2019 14:27

It's her home and her choice. As far as I'm aware there isn't any rule determining when you can and can't use your washing machine. I often put washing on late at night or early morning (5.30 when I get up). That way I can pop things out on the line before work :)

NCforthis2019 · 30/05/2019 14:30

you would hate me - my washing machine has a time delay on it so i prep it to finish the washing by 730am so i can hang it out before work, which means it must start at 5am - im in a house though and at the end so i dont affect anyone.

Electric is cheaper earlier maybe - so either way, YABU. sorry. earplugs maybe?

whothedaddy · 30/05/2019 14:34

YABU
She has already agreed to not putting it on late at night at your request, now you are stipulating she can't have it on in the morning?
I often have my washer on at 6am so I can wash a load or two and hang it up before I leave for work.

Also Some people get cheaper electric at night than in the day, so your request could already be adding to her fuel bill.

A washing machine is hardly the most annoying noise, if it bothers you get earplugs or a clock radio.

Bwekfusth · 30/05/2019 14:35

Is the washing machine noise waking you up? I used to live in a very old flat, had a letter threatening me with an asbo as the downstairs neighbour (who was a dreadful little scrote who's weed habit travelled through the dodgy floors and engulfed my place in its stink, every day) because he heard my washing machine at 10pm and my children running around and me vacuuming during the day. After a miserable year, he fucked off and never came back and I vacuumed with reckless abandon. Bliss.

ClarkeMurphy · 30/05/2019 14:42

I think hearing neighbours' household noise is expected between 7am and 10pm. I think putting your washing machine on at 5am is totally unreasonable if you have neighbours, as is complaining about a washing machine before 10pm.

BrokenWing · 30/05/2019 14:49

Is it normal washing machine noise or because the machine is not maintained or correctly leveled on an appropriate surface and is vibrating more that normal?

Our machine can be a bit noisy sometimes, but once the feet are adjusted again the machine does not really vibrate much on the spin, it certainly wouldn't wake anyone in an adjoining room in our own house.

My mums machine registers on the richter scale when it goes into full spin and I can hear it from outside her house, if I was next door to it I can see it being very annoying whatever the time.

If her machine is making excessive noise it is inconsiderate for her not to fix it, but a difficult conversation to have if you aren't on friendly terms.

AlexaAmbidextra · 30/05/2019 14:52

Or move to a detached property

Why does someone always have to come up with this tired old rubbish? It’s hardly original.

adaline · 30/05/2019 14:52

usual inconsiderate bunch on here, I see

OP has already complained once! If her neighbour isn't allowed to do laundry in the evening or first thing in the morning, when do you suggest she does it?

I work all day - out of the house by 8.30am, not home until 7. My machine doesn't have a timer. So when do you suggest I do my laundry if not before or after work?

B3ck89 · 30/05/2019 14:53

She already stopped using it at night when you asked, now you expect her to stop using it early morning.
I wouldn’t let any neighbour tell me when I can/can’t use my washing machine.
I use mine at various times of day, whenever it is convenient for me - same as my dish washer.

Itsnotmesothere · 30/05/2019 14:57

YABU.
I do my washing when I get up. It's usually on by 7. I'm not sure you can ask that of people especially on a week day when people work and leave early. Especially considering you've asked her not to wash at night too!

CassianAndor · 30/05/2019 15:00

Barbaro and StCharlotte I'm out of the house around 10 hours a day for work (say 7.30 - 5.15, other days it's later) and I only tumble dry towels, everything else either airers or washing line (airers only in the winter, obviously).

I do my washing at the weekend, when, as you suggest, I'm also out and about. 2-3 loads each day. Or I set the timer so it finishes for when I get home from work and hang it out then. Earliest it goes on would be 9ish on a weekend, latest it goes off 9ish in the week (once max in the week, and not every week).

BUT - I don't do stupid amounts of washing. I don't change bedding every week - don't need to. Don't change towels every week - don't need to. Clothes, apart from underwear, are worn more than once. Don't change PJs every day. We all have enough changes to last through the week.

Mitzimaybe · 30/05/2019 15:09

Personally I would find 6.30 am too early but wouldn't be bothered by 10pm. It's not reasonable for you to say she can't put it on at either end of the day. Pick one or the other.

Early morning someone may have wet the bed or had a period leak etc. so obviously you just want to get the soiled bedclothes washed machine immediately.

Notnownotneverever · 30/05/2019 15:13

YABU. 6.30am is not early and is perfectly reasonable.

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 30/05/2019 15:26

Put your own washing on at the same time so it cancels out the noise. (You are used to the sound of your own washing machine so it shouldn't bother you.)

I think the anxiety around the noise is feeding a vicious circle. As you are always subconsciously primed to look/hear out for it, your brain is gets into a high arousal/stress state so when you do hear the noise it sounds louder than it is.

Though without being in your house & not hearing the sound for all I know it could be louder than Concorde taking off, but then again it may sound quieter than what you think it is.

PigletJohn · 30/05/2019 15:31

A washing machiner, unlike a tumble drier, uses very little electricity.

I've metered ours, and it uses about 600W during the heating cycle (which lasts 10-15 minutes) which costs about 8p.

If you were fond of cold washes, it would use even less.

The churning motor uses too little to worry about.

The dishwasher uses a similar amount.