Chill MachineWashing machine sounds for sleep
Washing machine sounds are recordings of a machine running: the swish of water, a soft motor hum and the slow turn of the drum. Some people find that steady, homely sound helps them switch off and covers background noise at night. It is a comfort tool, not a treatment. Keep it quiet and use repeat or a timer. Chill Machine has Washing Machine tracks of about nine to ten minutes on Relaxing Sounds, Vol. 2 and Home Comforts, to play on repeat.
Listen to the full track
Relaxing Sounds, Vol. 2
Why do washing machine sounds help people relax?
A washing machine gives a mix of low hum and gentle water movement that changes slowly and predictably. There are no voices or sudden sounds in it, so there is little for your attention to follow. It also fills a quiet room, which makes small noises such as a creaking floor or a car outside less noticeable. For many people it is a familiar sound from home or childhood, and that familiarity alone can feel calming.
Washing machine sound or white noise?
White noise is steady and bright. A washing machine has more texture: water sloshing, a motor and the drum changing direction. If white noise feels too hissy or too artificial, a washing machine may feel more natural. If the slow changes keep catching your attention, a steadier sound such as brown noise or our tumble dryer sounds may suit you better.
How loud should it be at night?
Low. Aim for a level you could easily talk over, with the speaker a little away from the bed rather than earbuds worn all night. That is enough to blur the background without risking your hearing. Our safe listening guidance has more.
How to use washing machine sounds
- Loop it. Turn on Repeat. In Spotify, a few seconds of Crossfade (Settings, then Playback) hides the join between plays.
- Use a recording, not the real thing. Running a real machine overnight wastes water and energy, and an unattended appliance is never a good idea.
- Pair it with a routine. The same sound at the same time each night can become a cue that it is time to sleep.
Home Comforts: a whole album of household sounds
Home Comforts includes Washing Machine alongside a hairdryer, a running shower, a bathroom extractor fan and filling a bath.
Home Comforts
Washing machine sounds for babies
Some parents use household sounds to help settle a baby. If you do, keep the speaker well away from the cot, use the lowest volume that works and use a timer. Never put a device inside the cot or pram. Read our safe listening guidance first.
More everyday sounds: hairdryer, shower and the bathroom extractor fan.
Background sound is a comfort tool, not a treatment for any sleep condition. If poor sleep is affecting your life, talk to your GP.