Table of Contents
Watch the video: DIY Anti-Vibration Washing Machine Feet by Ayman N
Does your washer run or does it dance? On hard floors like ceramic tile and concrete, that spin cycle can turn into a full-on shuffle. The good news: you can calm those shakes with scrap foam and a couple of simple tools—no pricey store-bought pads required.
What you’ll learn
- How to cut simple foam discs that cushion vibration and help stop a washer from “walking.”
- An optional way to house the foam in repurposed plastic caps for a tidy finish.
- Leveling and clearance checks so your machine is stable, quiet, and safe.
- What to avoid (like letting a cap touch the floor) to prevent noise.
- How viewers solved related issues such as shipping bolts, load balance, and leveling.
Why Your Washing Machine Might Be Dancing
Understanding Vibration on Hard Floors
Hard, slick surfaces (ceramic tile, concrete) amplify vibration and reduce grip, so a fast spin cycle can make the machine creep or “walk.” Some machines visibly scuff their neighbors—there’s actual scratch evidence in the video where the washer rubbed the dryer before the fix.
The Problem with Expensive Solutions
Commercial anti-vibration feet aren’t cheap. The host shows typical prices around $17 for a set of four. If that feels steep for a small, simple accessory, this DIY alternative makes a compelling case.
You’ll see a direct comparison—the texture and overall look of the DIY pad versus the store-bought kind—and the resemblance is surprisingly close.
Pro tip
If you already have spare foam mats from a playroom or gym, you’re most of the way there. Repurpose, don’t re-buy. magnetic embroidery hoop
Introducing the 'Free' DIY Fix
Inspiration from Overpriced Retailers
Seeing that $17 price tag motivated the project. The aim was to match the function and feel without the spend. Better yet, the materials are easy to source or repurpose—great for a quick evening upgrade.
Proof: Our Washer's Silent Spin Cycle
There’s on-camera proof: the machine running a spin cycle with the DIY feet installed. Movement is notably tamed, and the setup is already in place under the washer before the making steps begin.
Then, during the spin, you can spot those red pads at work keeping things steady.
Watch out
A few commenters noted that if your washer is still roaring, you might have another issue: shipping bolts left in place (on many front-loaders), an imbalanced load, or a machine that isn’t level. These DIY feet help reduce transfer and enhance grip, but they aren’t a cure-all for mechanical issues. embroidery machine for beginners
Materials You'll Need (The 'Kind of Free' Part)
Sourcing Foam Exercise Mats Affordably
The main ingredient is a foam exercise or play mat—the interlocking kind works great. The host notes these can be cheap or even free if you ask around at gyms or repurpose scraps. Thickness can vary; the video shows roughly 1/2-inch foam and mentions that thicker options like 3/4-inch can help with machines that “dance” more.
Optional: Repurposing Plastic Caps
Caps from household containers (iced tea bottles, Lysol canisters) can act as housings. They protect edges, tidy the look, and add structure. If the foam doesn’t seat snugly, a small amount of glue can secure it. Note: If you use a cap, you must leave foam between cap and floor—cap-to-floor contact will create noise.
Quick check
- Foam first: Source and cut four uniform discs.
- Cap choice: Avoid extra-tall caps that prevent the washer’s feet from compressing the foam.
- Clearance: Ensure the plastic never touches the floor once installed.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Anti-Vibration Feet
Tracing and Cutting Foam Discs
1) Pick your template. A mason jar or any round object works to size your discs. The host demonstrates pressing the jar into the foam to leave an indentation, or you can simply trace around it with a marker.
2) Mark on the flat side of the foam. Lines show better there than on the textured side. 3) Cut carefully along your trace with scissors or a utility knife for clean circles. The aim: consistent size so each pad supports evenly.
Watch out
Multiple viewers cautioned against pressing body weight on a glass jar—it can break unexpectedly and cause serious injury. Safer alternatives: trace with a marker, or use a metal or canned-goods template instead. magnetic frames for embroidery machine
Assembling with Caps for Durability and Aesthetics
This step is optional but neat. The host shows two cap types: a typical drink bottle cap and a larger Lysol canister cap. For some caps, you’ll remove a top ring or internal section so the foam sits properly.
- Test fit: Insert the foam disc into the cap. If it’s loose, use a small amount of glue to secure it.
- Bond: A bead of glue around the inside can hold the foam in place. Let it set fully before installation.
- Finish: The result is a tidy, more durable pad that resembles retail options—at a fraction of the price.
From the comments
- “Full-mat idea?” One reader asked if a single layer under the whole machine would absorb more vibration and sound. The video doesn’t test this, but the feet shown focus the foam under each leg to improve grip and damping where the load transfers. snap hoop monster
Installation Tips for Maximum Stability
Lifting and Placing Your New Feet
You don’t need to fully lift the washer. Tilt it slightly from one side and slide a foot under each leg, one by one. The host demonstrates that an overly tall cap can prevent the washer’s leg from contacting the foam—avoid that scenario so the pad can compress and work.
Adjusting Machine Legs and Ensuring Levelness
Most washers have adjustable legs. After slipping your pads in place, use the wrench included with many machines (or a similar tool) to raise or lower each leg until the machine sits solidly and evenly on all four pads.
- Level it: Place a spirit level on top and check side-to-side and front-to-back until the bubble is centered.
- Confirm contact: Each leg should compress the foam slightly. If a cap is touching the floor instead of the foam, change caps, trim foam, or adjust the leg height.
Quick check
- Is the washer stable, with no wobble corners?
- Does every foot sit on foam (not plastic) with slight compression?
- Is the machine level across both axes? mighty hoop
Troubleshooting: When Vibration Persists
- Load balance: Top-load machines, especially with heavy or uneven loads, can shake. Redistribute items and try again.
- Shipping bolts: Front-loaders often ship with rear bolts to immobilize the drum. If not removed, the machine may shake and screech. The video’s comments confirm removing those bolts solved problems for some viewers.
- Flooring and grip: Very slick floors may benefit from slightly thicker foam or ensuring the feet are squeaky clean and dry.
- Leveling: Re-check with the level and adjust legs; lock any jam nuts if your model has them.
Watch out
If you use caps, maintain a visible foam gap between cap and floor. Cap-on-floor equals noise. The host emphasizes this near the end of the video, showing better and best spacing examples.
Final Thoughts: Saving Money and Your Sanity
Comparing DIY to Store-Bought Options
The DIY feet look and behave much like retail pads—without the price tag. If you have scrap foam, you might spend nothing at all. If time is your priority, buying a set is also reasonable; the video even shows examples of $17 sets for convenience. Ultimately, this project gives you control over cost and customization. magnetic embroidery hoops
Important Note on Cap Clearance
The host circles back with a crucial reminder: if you choose the cap-housed version, ensure the foam—not the plastic—contacts the floor. Leave a small foam buffer under the cap edge. This preserves the damping effect and prevents noisy plastic-on-floor chatter during spin.
From the comments: Extra Tips and Cautions
- Safety first: Multiple viewers warn against pressing down hard on a glass jar. Trace instead or use a metal can.
- Still shaking? Confirm the washer is level and check for shipping bolts on front-loaders.
- Full-mat idea: While not shown in the video, a larger mat under a plywood panel is a method some commenters prefer. The tutorial focuses on simple, leg-by-leg pads.
- Aesthetics: One viewer noted the pads aren’t exactly glamorous. True—but most laundry rooms aren’t showpieces. The more important metrics are stability and noise.
What the video does—and doesn’t—cover
- Covered: Cutting uniform foam discs; optional cap housing; sliding pads under the feet; adjusting legs; leveling; the cap-to-floor clearance rule; and live spin-cycle proof of stability.
- Not covered: Long-term durability data; exact foam brand or density; specific adhesive type; the full, on-camera process of adjusting legs with a wrench; or a quantified before/after vibration measurement.
Why these pads work
- They add friction and compressibility right under each leg.
- They isolate some vibration from transferring into hard floors.
- They help stop the initial “skate” that turns mild vibration into a traveling machine, especially on tile or sealed concrete. magnetic embroidery hoops for brother uk
Budget recap
- Retail: Often $17+ for four feet.
- DIY: Potentially free with scrap foam and repurposed caps. Even if you buy a single foam tile, the cost is typically lower than retail sets, according to the host.
Care and replacement
- If foam compresses permanently over time, make a fresh set—cutting new discs takes minutes once you know your size.
- Keep the bottoms free of dust and detergent residue to preserve grip. magnetic hoops for embroidery machines
Before you start: Safety and prep
- Cutting: Use scissors or a utility knife carefully. Work on a stable, flat surface.
- Marking: Trace with a marker—don’t press on glass.
- Installation: Tilt the machine safely; avoid pinched fingers; get a helper for heavy lifting if needed.
Step gallery
- Foam selection and tracing sequence: from template press and trace to clean cutting.
- Cap assembly for a tidy finish, including glue-up and final fit.
- Height pitfalls and tool checks: right-height pad, wrench, and spirit level.
Results you can expect
Once installed and leveled, you should notice fewer rattles and less wandering during spin cycles. The video’s on-spin footage shows the machine staying put with the DIY feet in place. It’s a simple, satisfying win that keeps loud laundry days from taking over your home. dime magnetic hoop
Frequently asked
- Do I need the cap? No. Plain foam discs work and make replacement easy. Caps simply add a cleaner look and edge protection.
- How thick should the foam be? The host shows about 1/2 inch and mentions up to 3/4 inch for machines that vibrate more. Match cap height and adjust leg height so the foam, not the cap, bears weight.
- Will this fix a wildly shaking washer? It helps with vibration transfer and grip. But if your machine is out of level, has shipping bolts installed, or the load is imbalanced, address those issues too.
Closing note
Whether you’re saving cash, repurposing materials, or just want a quieter laundry day, these foam feet deliver. Try the plain-foam version first—you can always upgrade to cap-housed pads later if you want a sleeker look.
From the comments (highlights)
- “Time is money!” Some folks would rather buy a set—and that’s okay. This guide is for those who enjoy fast wins with found materials.
- “Top loader imbalance.” If heavy items clump on one side, pause and redistribute; no pad can fix an unbalanced drum on its own.
- “Shipping bolts.” If you hear screeching and violent shakes on a front loader, check the manual and remove any transport bolts before use.
And that’s it—four small pads, one big difference.