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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why must my neighbour have her washing machine on so early?

243 replies

ohthatbloodycat · 29/08/2021 10:10

Since 9am this morning, it sounds like a Chinook helicopter is landing on my bedroom ceiling. By her own admission, there is no underlay beneath it and the noise is really quite something.
I would sympathise if she was a mum who needed to get the kids' uniforms on to wash, and then hang them outside to dry.
But she lives alone with no garden, and no outside drying area at all. Her washing could be done at ANY time of day.
I've already mentioned this to her and it makes no difference. In all other respects she is a good neighbour, so I don't want to rock the boat.
I am a single mum of 3, who works hard through the week. My kids are at their dad's place for their fortnightly weekend visit, and I'd just have loved a Sunday lie-in. Not even the bloody cat woke me up this morning! Grin
AIBU?

OP posts:
FindingMeno · 29/08/2021 10:53

I don't leave a washing machine on when I'm out, so often run it much earlier than 9am.
9am is mid-morning!

speakout · 29/08/2021 10:53

I think she is being considerate to wait until 9am.

I thought you were going to say she runs it at 5am.

9am is hardly early.

Macncheeseballs · 29/08/2021 10:54

It's early for op

Original poster
ohthatbloodycat · 29/08/2021 10:54

@Msgiggles30

Im with you OP. I'm in a masionette upstairs and I would never put my washing on before 10am on a weekend or after 7pm any evening. I think its just common courtesy when I'm not working. I do understand if you need to do it early on week days to get it out before work but if she doesnt work shifts or have anywhere to actually hang it then holding off an hour when neighbours have asked shouldn't be an issue. I want to get on with my neighbours and be respectful so being upstairs I do all I can to not be noisy!
She is retired.
OP posts:
Excelthetube · 29/08/2021 10:54

Why hasn’t she put something down to stop the sound being so loud. That’s incredibly selfish for someone who lives in an upstairs flat.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 29/08/2021 10:54

@ThreeWitches

I'd bring her into your flat when her machine is going (supply tea and biscuits) and demonstrate how loud it is

What a weird thing to do

I’d start it even earlier if someone did that Hmm

I’m sure the neighbours can hear general everyday noise the other way round too given the OP has three children and herself in her flat vs a single person upstairs. Four will naturally make more noise than one I would imagine.

CorrBlimeyGG · 29/08/2021 10:54

She'll get far more disturbance from your three kids, than you do a washing machine once a week.

FourTeaFallOut · 29/08/2021 10:55

Yeah, she should just stay and delay her whole day so her neighbour can lie in bed at 9am.

everythingcrossed · 29/08/2021 10:55

Could you offer to buy her a noise reduction mat to put under her washing machine?

SamMil · 29/08/2021 10:56

I think 9am is acceptable. Just because she doesn't have children, doesn't mean she doesn't have other things she wants to do during the day other than washing.

SpeakingFranglais · 29/08/2021 10:57

YAB completely unreasonable.

I'm a nice neighbour so I wait until 9 on a Sunday before getting the hedge cutters out!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 29/08/2021 10:57

Probably just thoughtless, not realising the racket it makes? Maybe next time she puts her washing machine on, invite her over for a coffee so she can hear it from your house?

I'm impressed though with your description OP... A Chinook helicopter? Grin

Original poster
ohthatbloodycat · 29/08/2021 10:58

You'd be surprised. She is heavy on her feet! My children are all older now, and sleep quite late. We left the noisy child phase before we even moved in here!
For sure though, there is give and take on both sides. We do get on really well other than this. I know I'm venting on MN, but wouldn't do so to her in real life! My polite attempts at mentioning it have got me nowhere, so I need to just accept.

OP posts:
annacondom · 29/08/2021 10:58

I sympathise with you, OP. Sounds as if you get on OK with her so find a good time to suggest getting some underlay shoved underneath. She probably feels a bit bad knowing it disturbs you.

My DH is very sensitive to sound. We used to live next door to a young couple whose washing machine would vibrate the house (flimsy 70s construction) and it drove him nuts. It was the lack of being in control as much as anything, I think. One day he got some carpet and went round and banged on the door. When they opened it he barged in and shoved it underneath. They were furious but problem solved! Not suggesting this approach!

Original poster
ohthatbloodycat · 29/08/2021 10:59

@LyingWitchInTheWardrobe

Probably just thoughtless, not realising the racket it makes? Maybe next time she puts her washing machine on, invite her over for a coffee so she can hear it from your house?

I'm impressed though with your description OP... A Chinook helicopter? Grin

Honestly, hearing is believing!
OP posts:
Excelthetube · 29/08/2021 11:00

I would genuinely send her the link for the underlay. I have an upstairs neighbour with a washing machine above my bed and all I can hear is a low whir. Not enough to disturb me properly.

Zealois · 29/08/2021 11:00

I live in an apartment block with neighbours above and below and here, 9am would be fair game for any noise (washing machine, hammering, vaccuming, working out etc). Noises do get on my nerves but I just accept it as the reality of this kind of living situation and 9am isn't an unreasonable time. I think the rules of our apartment block state no unreasonable noises between 11pm and 7am for example.

Sandinmyknickers · 29/08/2021 11:00

So childless women should wait around the house on a weekend to do their laundry (factoring in time for the wash to go for her to then hang it up before she can leave the house) on the off-chance that it might disturb the long lie in of a mum of 3? Really not sure why the fact of whether or not she has kids or that you do is relevant ....

SaltedCaramelIcedLatte · 29/08/2021 11:01

9am is early on a Sunday!

LittleMysSister · 29/08/2021 11:03

Why would only a mum need washing ready for a Monday?😕 Your neighbour might be working all week and need the clothes.

There are loads of reasons she might do it earlier, maybe she is going out for the day and wants to hang it to dry before she goes rather than leave it in the machine all day.

I am in a flat with no outside space and it is hard to dry washing in all but the height of summer. I often do mine in the morning because it's warmest in the afternoon and early evening so it helps dry it a little bit.

I'd sympathise if it was 6 or 7am, but 9 really isn't that early for most.

ellenpartridge · 29/08/2021 11:03

YABVU. She can do her washing whenever she bloody well likes! I can't believe you've even raised this with her. What a non-issue.

Mantlemoose · 29/08/2021 11:05

9am isn't early but it is inconsiderate as you've already raised it with her. She obviously has her reasons for theirs being her preferred time but she might have bought underlay to attempt to dull the noise.

LittleMysSister · 29/08/2021 11:05

Just seen she's retired, so scratch that bit about working all week!

I'd just directly ask her if she'd mind not putting it on so early as it's really loud for you downstairs.

PollyValent · 29/08/2021 11:05

I think 9 am is midmorning to many people.

It's not to me either op so I do sympathize.

insancerre · 29/08/2021 11:05

Why do people live in flats and complain about noise from their neighbours
Flats are cheaper than houses for a reason