To ask you what is causing these holes in clothes (not moths)!!

[singingsoloudly]

Hopefully the imagine has added...

All my t-shirts are getting the same pattern of holes in the bottom (see photo) like little punctures. Is it from my washing machine? I can't see anything obvious to cause it and it's driving me mad as I don't want to pay £100s for a new washing machine if I'm not sure that is it, but some of my favourite t-shirts have been ruined (and I'm starting to look like a bit of a tramp as all my clothes have holes....)

I don't think it's moths as I haven't see any (despite leaving out traps) and woollens and silks are unaffected

So AIBU to buy a new washing machine based On this?

YANBU - it's the washing machine, buy a new one
YABU - it's moths you idiot. It will never stop. Burn all your clothes and run!

handbag, jeans, jacket you always wear?

Where is it on the shirt? Is it waist level? Could it be from rubbing against a belt or something on your trousers?

It's most likely zips. Do you zip up all hoodies, trousers etc before putting a load into the machine?

I've been on MN for over 16 years and every now and then this thread pops up (not a criticism of you op!).

Unfortunately I don't think anyone has ever managed to come up with a 100% proven reason. People have suggested snagging in the washing machine, belts and buttons at waist height, rubbing against countertops and other furniture at waist height.

I wonder if it's just that when the fabric wears it tends to be a single thread that breaks and creates a small hole? Who knows though.

This is what I was coming on to say

There’s been lots of coverage of this which I’ve followed with interest as it happens to me all the time.

The consensus seems to be that the mid point at the bottom of garments gets more wear rubbing against waistbands/ buttons which makes it thinner and prone to holes.

I’ve also read that you need to make sure you don’t leave open zips in the washing as the teeth snag.

However, I have no idea whether these work.

It’s from the t-shirt catching on belts / zips on trousers / jeans. That’s what I’ve always assumed because I get the same too.

Are the holes at height of your worktop, sink or basin? If so, it is the cleaning product you are using. You don’t need to change the product just not touch the recently cleaned surfaces with your clothes 🙂

I propose invisible damage from every day life. Leaning your belly against counter tops, belts, zips on jackets, lifting things and dragging them over your front, snagging handbags, cuddling your kids (and their clothes, schools bags, whatever’s rub your belly). Then over time your washing machine exacerbates it and one tiny micro-damage suddenly appears like a swarm of moths attacked you.
it’s the frog in a saucepan effect on your garments.

My husband gets these holes on all his t-shirts after a while, he has button up jeans. I assumed it was his belt.

I've always assumed it's from my lanyard at work!

Bra hooks in the washing machine?

I got these as a teenager from “hot rocks” ie bits of burning hash falling out of a joint, now I get them as an adult from welding spatter or caustic or acidic splash back.
Some or none or all of these may apply.

I get this too and I don't think it can be wear, as I have had it happen on clothes the very first time I washed them (so infuriating!!). I have no answers, I'm afraid, I got a new washing machine (for unrelated reasons) it still happened, i've changed the product I use to wash, I always zip up zips before washing - nothing seems to stop it.😡

I have some VERY old t-shirts. I think the fabric was better in the old days - the old ones are fine ... whereas my new ones go in to holes very quickly. I've used Fairy Non Bio for years so not the washing liquid.

These are great suggestions, thank you! I'd sort of associated it with my washing machine as it started the same time we had a new one, but I've just twigged it's always in the same place (bottom front of t-shirt) so could be wear and tear/lanyyard/leaning on counter after using cleaning products. I am also guilty of not zipping clothes up in washing machine so will try this also to see it it helps.

At least people don't think it's secret invisible moths!

I got these for a while until i discovered a underwire from an old bra had gotten wedged in the drum.

It only happens to my husbands t-shirts so not our washing machine.
I swear it’s either buttons on jeans or belt.

I had similar little holes to these and it took me years to realise I was poking holes in them with my nails when I was absent mindedly pulling them down or tucking them into trousers or just fiddling with them. I have my nails rounded instead of almond now and I've stopped poking holes in all my clothes 😂

I have always assumed it was from the car seatbelt. It hadn’t occurred to me how much wear and tear there is on the mid section generally (Is anyone else feeling slightly more fondness towards their clearly protective spare tyre now?)

I have noticed that it happens on my ten year+ t shirts and on the ones I’ve bought since covid so I think quality has nosedived

Yes this comes up every year or so. I think I concluded last time that it’s the metal button on jeans and/or rubbing against my kitchen counter. The good news is that you can very easily darn the holes, I find it quite satisfying!

I went through a phase of this happening and couldn't work out what did it. However I started using 'washing bags' and has completely solved the problem.

Can you get a sacrificial cheap t shirt and run it through the machine a few times to see if it comes out ruined? Might help figure out if it's happening in the wash or not.

Seatbelt

I get these too it's from my quartz worktop in the kitchen, before we had laminate worksurfaces andi never had this issue.