To find the sound of a washing machine really soothing?

[Biscoffaddict]

I’m sure you’ll think I’m all mad, and I probably am, but ever since I was a child I’ve always really loved the sound of a washing machine spinning, it sort of relaxes me. Obviously with all the uncertainty going on in the world at the moment like a lot of people I’ve been feeling low, but one thing I’ve noticed is that when I put a wash on I just sit and watch it spinning and I feel soothed and calm.

Anyway can anyone else reassure me than I’m not a massive weirdo?

@Caspah

My washing machine is in what probably used to be a larder. I had a little boy (dog) I miss so much. He was terrified of loud noises. When it was Bonfire Night I'd put a blanket next to the machine and find things that I could put in the dryer. The comforting noise of the machine, and the warmth, did make a difference.

He was obviously a much loved dog, such a lovely thing to do for him bet he felt very loved and safe with you.

I too love the sound of bad weather, the rain is currently lashing against the window, I’m tucked up in bed, dog snoozing at my feet and I’m watching Midsomer Murders, Doesn’t get much cosier than that, utter bliss!

I love the hairdryer and hoover. I usually do the hoovering but I remember going to sleep on the sofa when my mum would hoover . Miss her so much 😭

I also find the sound of trains very comforting, not the whizzy high speed sound but that repetitive clunking sound, I would happily live next to that type of train line.

I like the dishwasher, but for me the absolute best sound is sunbathing with a real life, not TV, cricket game being played nearby. The thunk of the balls and the murmuring and slow, relaxed claps of the spectators combine to remind me of long summer days of complete relaxation - nothing to worry about or do for weeks and weeks. We had 12 week summer holidays as kids.

This is an incredibly soothing thread, thank you OP!

@Spanielmadness

I like the dishwasher, but for me the absolute best sound is sunbathing with a real life, not TV, cricket game being played nearby. The thunk of the balls and the murmuring and slow, relaxed claps of the spectators combine to remind me of long summer days of complete relaxation - nothing to worry about or do for weeks and weeks. We had 12 week summer holidays as kids.

I feel the same way about watching snooker on TV - something about the clunk of the balls is very soothing, and the commentators tend to have very dulcet, sonorous tones.

I'm Scottish, so I don't really understand cricket, but I think the two experiences may be similar?

Even the twangy guitar theme tune to the snooker is relaxing.

Radio in the other room is lovely, I pop the radio on as soon as I get up, regardless of which room I'll be in. Hearing it burbling away through walls is just as nice as listening directly.

My most soothing noise is the indicators in a car driving at night, in silence. Rain and windscreen wipers are soothing too.

I struggle to stay awake when the hairdresser dries my hair. I don't have this issue when I do it myself.

@Spanielmadness

I like the dishwasher, but for me the absolute best sound is sunbathing with a real life, not TV, cricket game being played nearby. The thunk of the balls and the murmuring and slow, relaxed claps of the spectators combine to remind me of long summer days of complete relaxation - nothing to worry about or do for weeks and weeks. We had 12 week summer holidays as kids.

That’s interesting. I used to look after my Auntie and Uncles dog when they went away. They lived near a cricket pitch and you could hear the game from their garden, it was very soothing. I don’t even like or understand cricket either lol.

I also like the sound of a hairdryer. Or more the point being in the hairdresser and there being lots of dryers on at once.

When my dd was little, she loved the sound of the steam iron sloshing around and the gentle hiss of the steam. And my bamboo knitting needles clicking.
I don't mind the sound of my current washing machine, but when my dear old Hotpoint was on its last legs, the drum spinning sounded like a jumbo jet circling for take-off! Wasn't exactly soothing!
I like the sound of the rain on the conservatory roof.

I think it's because in the womb it is very noisy; rushing blood, a thumping heart, vague muffled sounds from the outside. It reminds us of the time we were the most safe and cosy.

Yy to cricket - the sound of leather on willow is something I miss.

I like the gentle hum of the dishwasher.

Also church bells/call to prayer. It feels timeless.

I have noise-cancelling earphones and listen to white noise while I work. I find it so calming. The white noise I listen to is via a podcast (think you might be able to download an app, too, but I just have the podcast version on my phone.) Search for TMSoft. All those lovely calming noises are on there - light rain, heavy rain, tumble dryer, washing machine, water lapping the edge of a lake, rain falling on a car, owls hooting, fan blowing, cat purring..... It is wonderful and has helped my concentration no end.

I am really curious how they record the sounds. There is a new one every day it seems.

@StrictlyAFemaleFemale

Yy to cricket - the sound of leather on willow is something I miss.

I like the gentle hum of the dishwasher.

Also church bells/call to prayer. It feels timeless.

YY to church bells! I was out running on a Sunday morning just before Christmas and heard the bells from the local church in the distance for the first time since March and it was quite moving hearing them again. It’s such a happy, joyous sound.

Me too! I love all electrical appliance noises, I find them incredibly soothing. I used to love lying on my nana's floor with my face pressed up against the air vents for her central heating. Loved the noise and the smell of it and the hot air in my face.

I like the clink clink noise that the wire bits of rigging make against a metal mast on sailing boats . Just reminds me of the holidays if my childhood spent on the beach ...

I was about to mention also the sound of the microwave but probably that’s just a Pavlovian reaction

For over 10 years this has been my thing, listening to the washing machine on fast spin or a loud roar of a waterfall, my headphones would go in and that would be me, while I was listening to them I would google “is it normal to listening to the washing machine” and Iv found loads and loads of forums jist like this with people from way back in 2007 who do the exact same thing! Now I’m older I enjoy listening to it with a little snack, I used to take something to read into the kitchen or outhouse where our washer is and shit and listen to the spin cycle

Yes, the washing machine going says 'all's well with the world'. It's the audible equivalent of a 'nice cup of tea'.

Another one - doing the washing up is a good cure for hang-xiety - it feels as though you are expiating your wrongs of 'the night before'.

I used to absolutely love that, I'd open the window a little bit and let the wind rush in.