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!

It is definitely little white cotton eating moths! They come inside during the summer and settle on clothes lying around especially if there is any food on them. So irritating! They love linen/ cotton t-shirts. I just mend the holes and wear them anyway. T-shirts don't last forever anyway.

I've posted this on the other threads over the last couple of years.

DD is a fabric technician and says its because jersey is a knitted fabric. So just like in normal knitting, one dropped stitch causes a hole that gets bigger as the the threads around it move.

Sometimes it is because you've broken just one stitch due to something sharp, BUT, the single most likely reason is a small fault in the fabric before the garment was even made. She says corners are being cut at the knitting stage to save money these days, plus manufacturers are cutting down on staff in quality control who would normally spot the flaws and reject the fabric.

I agree there could be fabric flaws but so many of them in the same space do indicate moths. I actually have seen the little critters flying around ...

If it’s affecting your t shirts it’s not moths. Clothes moths go for wool.

I had this and it was the kitchen worktop. Have since changed the kitchen and it never happens anymore.

Happens to me too!
So I use the zip up bags to put tips in and it's stopped.

All of mine have it as well, I think it’s Jean buttons rubbing with the seatbelt. For some reason this wasn’t a problem 20 years ago, either I was skinnier or the fabric was thicker??

Tops

Many years ago, Persil did a powder called Persil Power and my clothes all went into holes where the powder was so strong. There was a huge fuss about it and it was withdrawn from the market if I recall.

Are you using a biological powder?

Bras! The little hooks or underwires.

It’s from rubbing on metal from belt/buttons/zips

since covering my belt buckle (home made cover a sock with foot cut out so like a miniature snood) I no longer get these little holes

Yep, it’s usually metal fastenings on clothes, imagine that combined with the weight of sodden cloth that’s caught on it. Most often it’s bra clasps, but can also be zips or other metal clasps. It even looks like a bra clasp pattern.

Sorry, it’s the hook part, not the eyes. If you ever get twisted hooks on a bra it’s because it’s been doing this in the washing machine. Wet cloth is very heavy.

I worked out that one particular pair of jeans, caused the holes in the same place, so when seated the movement caused the issue / rubbing and only on t-shirts, light weight knits, so I covered the top of the fly tab with tape and no more holes.

I've got them too, I end up throwing out tee shirts (Dh uses then in the garage as rags.)
I've just ordered new ones yet again.

I asked a clothing manufacturer this and that was their response, in the good ol' days fabric would be double threaded so even if a single thread snapped there'd be a second thread to maintain stability - nowadays for cheapness only one thread is used so if it's subject to frequent trauma (belt/zip/coat/bag etc) it wears out and leaves a hole

Both mine and DHs T-shirts have been getting these holes for the last 5 years or so…sadly I can only think it’s because we’re both a bit fatter than we used to be be and rubbing on jeans. The skinny teenagers in the house have perfect hole free clothes!
Although I like the suggestion it might be quartz worktops, but unlikely in my case as I’m not a keen cook!

It's always worth ensuring you're not overloading your washing machine as I think this increases the risk of the fabric catching. As PP said it doesn't take much in this type of fabric to create a hole.

It's probably worth trying a laundry bag to see if it makes a difference.

I used to get this and read it was possibly using too much detergent and too fast a spin cycle causing wear....used to have it happen to brand new things too. We did eventually replace the machine and not had issues since though....

I have exactly the same.... Not washing machine not zips, not belts. Items not always stored in the same place. It drives me mad.
I bought a new tee shirt for my holiday, I wore it to breakfast, the second morning I noticed a couple of these holes.

I had to Google this a few years ago- I’m convinced it’s the kitchen worktop. It can’t be moths or washing machine damage- otherwise I would see the same holes in other parts of the t shirt- not always in the very specific belly button area. I spend more time working at and leaning against the kitchen counter than any other family member- no one else in my household has this problem- only me! Other posters who notice this with their DH’s t shirts- perhaps they spend more time at the counter than my own DH! Also, my tops tend to be made from much thinner material than my DH’s. I would suggest wearing an apron around the middle or try tucking in your top so that your jeans or trousers take the pressure away from the thin material. I keep forgetting so I still have this issue. Interestingly, I noticed my new tops lasted longer when we temporarily lived somewhere else that had rounded off kitchen counter edges- it seems to be the sharp edge that’s doing it.

Which? did an investigation into this at the time. They asked for people who had these holes in their clothes to contact them.
Ariel had apparently warned Persil what would happen if they made their bio powder too strong, but they didn't listen.

This also seems likely- having inspected where my t shirt sits on my jeans when seated. So it’s either that or the quartz worktop- or both!

It's the seatbelt in the car for us.

DH gets them all the time.

seatbelt friction