Why are holes appearing in my clothes?!

[Tinkjon]

We definitely don't have moths but our clothes keep getting tiny holes in. It's happening to all of them, not just ones in the same wardrobe. I assumed there was a spikey bit sticking out in the washing machine drum, or the tumble-dryer, but I've felt all around and can't find anything. We use cheap Asda smartprice laundry detergent but we always have done and the holes have only just started appearing. Don't use fabric conditioner. Any ideas? It's driving me crazy!

[NoBiggy]

Oooohhh, there you go again, channelling me

DD wanted to wear a particular dress today, but when I got it out it was covered in tiny holes.

I don't know what causes it, but some of my t-shirts have gone that way too. Using Fairy liquitabs, btw.

[Carmenere]

The moths that do that sort of damage are tiny, you may not have noticed them.

[LazyLinePainterJane]

We3ll, I get it too sometimes, and I think its the washing machine.

[colacubes]

Washing powder! Have you changed brands, some can be strong stuff, persil had a problem years ago if I remember rightly.

[Tinkjon]

Nobiggy

Carmenere, I just thought it couldn't be moths as it happens to the clothes in all wardrobes, not just one, and also in ds's little chest of drawers. Also dd's wardrobes have only just been built - could moths get in there that quickly? I daren't put the stuff I just got from the Boden sale in the machine

colacubes, I've used the same detergent for years.

[littleducks]

same here
using a mixture (well not literally either i suppose) of persil non bio or ariel bio

happening to quite new clothes too

oh god i may have to but mothballs, yuck, mil house has that smell and my clothes always smell of them when i stay there

[twoisplenty]

Saw a suggestion somewhere, that a bar of perfumed soap wrapped in a plastic bag keeps moths away. Just put a few holes in the bag to let the perfume out, and hang in the wardrobe. I have no idea if it actually works (sorry!) but I have done this, and at least everything smells nice when you open the wardrobe door! It's worth a try...I've not noticed holes since.

[MrsTiddles]

Are you overloading your wash? This has only happened to me when the load has been stuffed and things like zips and buttons rip other fabric.

[melpomene]

This happened to several of my tops a while ago. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out that it was caused by a belt I often wore (with decorative buckle) snagging my tops and piercing little holes in them.

In this case, if it is happening to clothes belonging to all the family then MrsTiddles's explanation could be right. Is it happening to clothes made from all types of fabric? just the more delicate ones? is it happening to synthetics, or just natural fibres?

[tiggerlovestobounce]

Is it natural fibres only or everything. carpet beetles eat holes in natural fibres.

[Tinkjon]

MrsTiddles, that could be it - I always cram loads into the machine.

The thing about natural fibres is possible too, tigger - it does seem to be only the t-shirts it happens to. Hmmm, what do carpet beetles look like, I wonder? (and why are they in my wardrobe?!)

melpomene, I did think it was a belt as well, until it started happening to the baby's clothes too

[southeastastra]

i have this too, new top put on the morning has a tiny hole. it's not old at all

[MrsBadger]

carpet beetles look like little ladybirds, only browny/beigey

[mary01527]

Holes in clothes.I get tiny holes in the same place on most of my tops(front at belly button area) nobody else in house has these holes. I assumed this was moth holes but remained puzzled that always in the same area (never back of clothes/sleeves etc.So I did war with every type of moth repellant
HOWEVER.Ii went to shop yesterday and noticed more holes in a top..I went and bought a new T shirt from Debenhams as felt scruffy shopping with my holed T shirt.The surprise came 4 hours later as when I returned home there were the holes in the brand new top that I had worn 4 hrs only!! and not been near a wardrobe.

So my stance is that the cause is to do with jeans(marks and spencer per una style) that I always wear in different colours for years.(The holes have been happening for years and I have spent hundreds replacing clothes, bought plastic covers for all my clothes and moth sprays etc to no effect.
The culprit is the buttons on the jeans(maybe its the friction or the nickel content but I am now certain these jean buttons cause the problem
I never have holes in jackets, dresses , skirts..just t shirts and jumpers all at belly button area and always clothes I where with jeans!!
I resorted to putting clothes straight into zip up bags with a peg at the top to mothe proof but the holes kepy coming.
PLEASE CAN YOU LADIES CHECK IF YOU GET HOLES IN TOPS IN SAME AREA WHEN WEARING WITH JEANS FROM M &S..THIS COULD BE A BREAK THROUGH IN TO WHY SO MANY WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM

[JustAnotherYellowBelly]

We have this
We've used the same wash liquid for years, jeans go on their own wash, everything is washed on the same program, some are line dried others are tumble dried, happening to all clothes but especially tops and dresses.

[Gigimia]

I'm pretty sure it is the jean button on all jeans and think I finally found a prevention thanks to another thread I saw here!

[ActualAl]

Gigimia, WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?! I have this problem in practically all my t-shirts. A solution would be amazing!

[Gigimia]

@ActualAI - someone recommended it on another thread, sorry should have said! It's some sort of cover for your jean button and says it is your button that causes the holes the website is //www.holebuttoncover.com

[Allofaflumble]

I remember this happening with my last WM. I read somewhere it is the spin speed is to high and I think the t shirt type material gets dragged into the little drain holes. I did also lose a bra
Underwire in the machine though I could never feel it.