Those mysterious teeny tiny holes in the front of T shirts…

[imaginethemdragons]

Has anyone EVER worked out how they come about?

No it’s not the washing machine.
No it’s not moths.
No it’s not a belt buckle.

So…where do they come from?

A lot of my tops have developed these. I don't wear jeans, just soft leggings most of the time. I used to think it might be rubbing against the edge of the work surface when washing up but we have a dishwasher now so that doesn't add up and my son's T-shirts have them too and they never go near a sink !

I wish I knew! I have this on only one T-shirt. I don’t wear jeans or buckles. I wear leggings. If it was my seatbelt it would be happening to all my T-shirt’s surely? No granite worktops. I don’t get it.

@AlmostSummer21

I don't know. Years ago there was a HUGE thread about it & I was somehow convinced it was indeed the washing machine. Something having damaged one of the 'holes' in there, bending it a bit and that it only happens to t-shirts because of them being a a certain size/shape, material & weight. 💁🏻‍♀️

But if this was the case it wouldn't always happen in the same place. With mine it is always across the tummy area, never on the back, shoulders etc?

The holes I get in my tops are at shoulder / chest area.

But they're not as specific as the area described by others.

I 100% think washing machine

I've started tucking the front of my top into my jeans before I wash up. No more holes. I don't get holes if I'm wearing joggers, only if I'm wearing something with a button.

It's not seatbelts (at least not for me) - DH & I have never owned a car, I ride in car perhaps a maximum of twice a year. I'm 5'3" & have always got the holes at waistband level, right in the centre. Strangely, not in my pyjamas. It's the button or belt buckle rubbing against the counter when I wash up or do any cooking. Also I used to pull right up the against the desk, when I worked in an office, some of my trousers had a button.

Now I retire any holey t-shirts & use them for pyjama tops, rags for cleaning, etc.

It's very odd. If it were washing machines or moths why would it be so localised? Maybe our belly buttons exude some fabric-weakening substance?

Oh my god I'm so happy it's not just my T shirts this happens to!!

I’ve got one pair of pyjama bottoms that got loads in all of a sudden. I was somewhat persuaded by the belt buckle argument until then and now I’m convinced it’s the washing machine again.

@LegoCaltrops

Are you about 5ft - 5'5" in height? People who are much taller, or who never do any housework at all, particularly washing up, don't seem to get them.

Wrong sorry, I’m 5’10 and do lots of washing up and I get them.

Pegs from hanging on washing lines, and hot rock burns.

Jeans button/zip

Cross-body bag strap

@Daisydoesnt

gah me too! I have now just assumed it must be moths; I recently bought a few new t-shirts and the first time I took one out of the drawer to wear, it had holes in. So that can't have been wear on belt buckles/ seat belt/ work top or anything like that. It's always at the front too, about belly button level; why?

Belly buttons sweat and this old sweat attracts moths

What's a hot rock and how are people using them on their stomachs to burn their t-shirts?

I too think it's granite worksurfaces. I don't get them since we moved to a house with wooden worksurfaces.

Sounds like Carpet Beetles (aka Woolly Bears).

Belly buttons sweat and this old sweat attracts moths

But on this occasion the tops had never been worn 🤔

What's a hot rock and how are people using them on their stomachs to burn their t-shirts?
Lumps of hot cannabis resin that fall from the joint when smoking and burn the clothes

@Theoldcuriosityshop

Me too, 3 tiny little holes on t-shirts etc. I don't think it's moths because I have moth repellent wooden things that go over the hanger to prevent this.

My wardrobes and drawers have been stuffed with moth killer papers (repellent is no good it has to be ‘kills moths, grubs, eggs’) and STILL the sticky pheromone traps in there are pebble dashed with dead moths. Which means the papers didn’t kill them.

But I don’t think moths eat cotton t shirts. Just cashmere and merino wool, for preference. The costlier the better.

This only affects my ds's tshirts, and pretty much all of his have these tiny holes. They aren't where a belt would be if he wore one. Would love to know too. Oh, and the T-shirt's are from all different places. Actually, one that hasn't been affected is one I bought him from Chicago several years ago.

It's pulling it down or where it touches stuff you lean on then dissolves in the wash .

@liveforsummer

What's a hot rock and how are people using them on their stomachs to burn their t-shirts? Lumps of hot cannabis resin that fall from the joint when smoking and burn the clothes

Aaah, We always called them ‘cherry bombs’

Do moths only like the front of clothes? I get them too

I think it is to do with the button/ belt on my jeans.
Probably made worse by doing household chores against my granite worktop.

My friend's husband who is only a little taller than me gets a lot of them too (we had a really exciting dinner conversation recently!). They also have granite worktop.

They are really annoying I got one on the first day I wore my new t-shirt.

@hugoagogo

Rock burns?

That’s what I was going to say!

I just stitch them up and good as new. Some people throw these away, what an awful waste. I cannot believe how few people mend their clothes, it’s pretty dreadful really. Is it a lack of skills?

I get these on cotton tops, but only if I use Persil washing powder. Other powders -- no problem. Even Persil liquid seems to not affect them the same way.