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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

please help me solve this mystery

28 replies

almama · 06/05/2009 22:43

My husband and I keep finding tiny holes in our shirts. so far this is normal, but two things are driving us crazy.

Firstly, we haven't once seen a moth. For the amount of shirts affected, (in different, closed drawers), there must be more than one moth responsible. In the past when we've had this problem we've regularly seen the moths. This time they seem to be invisible.

Secondly, the holes always appear in the exact place on the shirts - the front of the shirt, half way between the middle and the bottom. Never in the back, under the arms, or any other place that would be less conspicuous! never even on the front of the shirts towards the top. It can't be the way that we fold our shirts, because [ehmm] one of us does so neatly and the other just throws shirts in drawers willy-nilly.

is it common for invisible moths to have such a specific snacking area?? ... and how do I save our shirts? I've tried putting lavender sachets in our drawers but that hasn't seemed to help.

any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

OP posts:

StinkyPee · 06/05/2009 22:45

Cedar is good against moths.

Maybe it's not moths but another creepy crawly?

siblingrivalry · 06/05/2009 22:47

I had this exact problem last year and it drove me mad. Turned out it that it was because of my belt

There were tiny little diamante studs on the buckle and they totally wrecked my tops -I 'lost' about 8 before I found out what was happening. Could a 'sharp' belt be the problem for you or your dh?

KingCanuteIAm · 06/05/2009 22:50

I am not sure about invisible moths but could the location be something to do with the way you fold? I.E. if you always fold in a certain way a certain area will be most likely to be affected?

poopscoop · 06/05/2009 22:51

washing machine?

ReigateMum · 06/05/2009 22:51

Could it be something catching on the drawer when you're shutting it?

Where are the holes when the shirts are folded - are they the main bit visible e.g. would this be the obvious bit for a moth or mite to crawl over and chew?

A sharp bit in our tumble drier used to make holes in our clothes, but I can't imagine why it would be so specific in your case?

Original poster

almama · 06/05/2009 22:57

Oh, these are all good suggestions! I'm really obsessed with this tonight.

I thought maybe washing machine/dryer except it happened to a new shirt the other day right after I bought it [boo].

Belts could be it for dh, but I don't wear them.

Fold doesn't seem to be it either, since dh and I have different approaches to our drawers.

It's truly maddening! I am going to try cedar though.

OP posts:

tealady · 06/05/2009 23:04

I had this problem and after many ruined clothes (old and new)I am convinced it has been caused by the high spin speed on my washing machine(up to 1600rpm).

See here for more on the subject

holes

Why do they sell machines that are known to do this!

tealady · 06/05/2009 23:07

Forgot to say that the holes in our clothes were always in the same location as well, in the middle towards the lower half - I think it must be something to do with the stress the fabric is subjected to and the point where it is the weakest.

It does seem to have stopped happening since I have reduced the spin speed to 1200/14000 max.

Karabadangbaraka · 06/05/2009 23:08

I have exactly this problem - just my tops though, and always in the same place. I have tried wearing no belt, folding differently, different drawer, hanging in wardrobe - no use. some darn moth has got a grudge

Poledra · 06/05/2009 23:10

There's a whole other thread offering suggestions for this problem. There's some very picky moths out there

MadBadandDangerousToKnow · 06/05/2009 23:11

The sticky pheromone moth traps are amazingly effective. Buy a couple of those and see what happens.

Tinker · 06/05/2009 23:13

The zip of a particular pair of trousers? Had teh same problem; lots of ruined tops.

Original poster

almama · 06/05/2009 23:14

tealady I just scanned that thread - interesting. I have a 1600rpm washing machine.

I wonder if it possible that I have two problems - one creepy crawly and also something to do with the washing machine or tumble dryer.

Dh just told me that he is certain there is something to do with the thickness of material.. his thinner t-shirts get the holes and thicker ones don't.

Maybe the location of the holes is just a coincidence.

anyway, thanks everyone for these suggestions and bothering to think about tiny holes this late at night!

OP posts:

Tinker · 06/05/2009 23:14

In fact, mine wasn't the zip but a tiny bit of thread, like stiff fishing line. Gap jeans were the culprit.

trixymalixy · 06/05/2009 23:16

I have read some other threads on this, it's a well known phenomenon, not just on this site.

As far as i can remember I think the general consensus is that the fabric is rubbing against the front of the waistband of jeans.

Original poster

almama · 06/05/2009 23:22

x posted with about 7 people here!

Karabadangbaraka you made me laugh.

thanks Poledra I'm going to read that thread too.

tealady - yes that is exactly where these holes are.

come to think of it, the new shirt with holes (gorgeous lovely thing that hasn't even had the chance to see the inside of a washing machine) has slightly different holes - only two of them and they are bigger. so, maybe this shirt is the victim of a rogue moth or mite, and the rest are from the crazy washing machine.

very interesting. I knew MN was going to be the place to solve this one!

OP posts:

tealady · 06/05/2009 23:41

The tops that were affected mostly in our house were fine knit/ lightweight cotton rather than heavier fabrics. I even took two new tops back to the shop I had bought them from and complained (as I had worn and washed them once only) and got a refund Then it carried on happening and I realised it was not faulty clothing!

Maybe we should take this to watchdog!

bruffin · 08/05/2009 13:52

I had a similar problem and it was my tumble drier. The drum had slipped slightly and the clothes were getting caught.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 08/05/2009 14:07

Could it be a rough part of your work surface or desk/table that catches?

Jux · 08/05/2009 14:47

Research has shown that those in sedentary jobs are more prone to holed clothing than those in active jobs. There is a particular sweat gland in the torso with an outlet about where you have described. It is unique in the human body as it is the gland which carries the highest proportion of acidic chemicals before they reach the kidneys, with the result that the sweat excreted at that particularly point is slightly more acidic than the sweat anywhere else.

If you are sitting for longish periods then the sweat will collect on the clothing in that particular place, resulting in a small hole.

Actually, I just made that up.

Rubyrubyruby · 08/05/2009 14:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jux · 08/05/2009 15:26

purepurple · 08/05/2009 15:30

but it wouldn't be the moth eating it, as most of them don't have mouths. It would have to be the caterpillars

SarahL2 · 08/05/2009 15:46

I have the same problem - it's the little diamante bist on my belt doing it I'm sure...

bluebump · 08/05/2009 16:06

Do you have a cat? We kept getting holes in our t shirts where when we used to pick up our cat and she'd put her claws in them.

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