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Original poster

Small holes always appear in my tops..... how to stop them??

102 replies

foolmadammas · 06/08/2015 09:02

So, I've noticed over a long period of time that most of my tops (cotton t-shirts, woollen/cotton knits etc) all seem to develop small holes in them - usually at waist height at the front i.e. where the waistband of my trousers is.

I spent some birthday money last week on new clothes, and one longish tunic top, in cotton t-shirt material, already has three or four holes in!!

My thoughts are that it is either

a) my belt catching my tops? (I don't always wear belts though)

b) the waist band on my jeans catching the tops?

c) or maybe it is caused by the seat belt when driving??

d) or my washing machine?? (but the holes seem to usually be in the same place).

Does anybody else have this happen?? It is so annoying and wasteful! I have put another new top on today - gorgeous silk knitted loose top - I am wearing jeans, no belt, but I am paranoid that this is going to get holes in today as well!! But no point in having clothes in the wardrobe and not wearing them though.......

Thoughts??

OP posts:

pinkje · 06/08/2015 09:05

Zip on your jacket or hoodie or whatever you are wearing on top of your tops - I would think that's a likely cause.

NannyFlower · 06/08/2015 09:06

I have EXACTLY the same problem! I can't figure it out either, I don't even wear belts so I figured it must be my jean button/zipper. Very frustrating :(

YAsoNBU · 06/08/2015 09:07

Ah, the age old question. Never been answered, despite many a thread (and not just on MN)

CultureSucksDownWords · 06/08/2015 09:08

Moths?

SandraMelandra · 06/08/2015 09:09

Me too, have never found an answer either.

Original poster

foolmadammas · 06/08/2015 09:10

Well, at least it's not just me...... very annoying though!!

OP posts:

SerialBox · 06/08/2015 09:11

Check the inside of your washing machine. One of the wee metal holes on mine had turned the other way and had a sharp point. Bash it in and voila no more holy tops. If that isn't it, I'm out.

maybemyrtle · 06/08/2015 09:11

My other half gets this too, I think it's caused by catching the fabric in his belt or the jeans zipper. Seems only to be thinner jerseys. Really annoying!

Kreeshsheesh · 06/08/2015 09:13

I have the same issue! I've always thought it had something to do with the washing machine, but like you, when I think about it, all the the holes are at the bottom of the tops. I don't think it's moths in my case as I have anti moth stuff in the wardrobe and why would they only munch the bottoms of the tops?

justkeeponsmiling · 06/08/2015 09:13

I used to get this all the time op. It After much trial and error I decided it was caused by 1. My seatbelt rubbing my too against a button/zip/belt buckle on my trousers and 2. By me carrying around my small DCs who would wrap their legs around me and also cause rubbing of top against the above. Since I have become mindful of both and take care I haven't had any more holes in my tops.
Took me a lot of tops to learn my lessons though
Hth

TeddyBear5 · 06/08/2015 09:13

Same here!!

Cannot be moths or washing machine as it's always same place on the top. I don't wear belts ever so what is it??

Original poster

foolmadammas · 06/08/2015 09:14

Ah!! Carrying Children!! Yes, that could be it!

OP posts:

tootsietoo · 06/08/2015 09:15

I always assumed it was my belt rubbing the clothes because of spending too much time leaning against things at waist height ie. kitchen work surface! I never remember having this problem before I had children.... I also ruined a pair of knee high boots when the children were little from constantly strapping them into car seats which meant my shins were always leaning against the dirty sill of the car, and I only noticed once I couldn't get the dirt out. And my jeans go through at the knees now, which they never used to. Domestic life is hard on clothes!

Which means the answer is to stop doing the housework.

woodhill · 06/08/2015 09:16

poor quality clothing possibly, never used to happen, thin cotton etc

Meinthecorner · 06/08/2015 09:20

Me too - always the same place near belly button. I don't wear belts, doesn’t matter whether it's a cheap thin top or thicker more expensive one, can't be moths or washing machine because they are in the same place. DP helpfully suggested that I might have moths in my belly button.

Anyway glad to know I am not alone - we need an enquiry!

minipie · 06/08/2015 09:20

Ah the age old question! I get this too.

Best explanation I've found seems to be that it's a combination of the fabric rubbing against the jeans waistband or belt or kitchen worktop and being weakened, then the weakened place becomes a hole when washed. Also cotton tops seem to be thinner than they used to be.

No idea how to stop it unless you spend your life trying to ensure there is no rubbing in that area...

justkeeponsmiling · 06/08/2015 09:20

it never happened before I had children - this is true in my case also, I wonder if this is because of carrying them around but also because after having DC2 I got a bit of a mummy's tummy, which sticks out a lot bit more than before and as a result rubs more easily against my seatbelt?

NinjaPanda34 · 06/08/2015 09:20

I've had this too. Really annoying! Found wearing a cami helps a little, but think it's the material covering the zip/button of my jeans that causes it. Never had it when pregnant though, so couldn't be seatbelt as I was still driving. Loved my maternity jeans!

Madbengalmum · 06/08/2015 09:26

It is the washing machine, either something on the washing machine ie in the drum protruding or it is getting stuck whilst in the machine in something else, maybe a rough zip, embellishment etc

anewyear · 06/08/2015 09:27

I get this too, A friend of mine suggested Silver Fish? but surely the holes would be all over not just in the same place ie on waist line near tummy button, on several tops.
I did wonder also if it had anythink to do with my belt?

IvyWall · 06/08/2015 09:30

I favour the rubbing against the work surface theory and the thinness of the fabric.

I consciously avoid rubbing against the work surface as much as I can, and have almost eradicated the problem

Original poster

foolmadammas · 06/08/2015 09:33

I've just had a thought - I've been wearing a cross body handbag for the last few months - could this be a contributing factor?? it can't be the only cause, as this has been happening for much longer (and I can't actually remember detail from before I had kids!!), but maybe having a cross body handbag might be making it worse??

OP posts:

Pootles2010 · 06/08/2015 09:33

Agree with Mad, its the washing machine - i try not to put jeans with zips in the wash with anything else.

MyDogEatsBalloons · 06/08/2015 09:35

I'm pretty sure its from (always) wearing jeans, and either the button or zip rubbing the material. Kitchen counter tops may or may not be involved.

Holes are always in the same place, so I can't blame the machine or moths; and carrying children, belts, and seat belts can be ruled out in my circumstances.

chuzzlewit · 06/08/2015 09:43

I think it must be the zip/buttons of jeans, as it's always in the same place therefore can't be the washing machine. Carrying children isn't an issue, as mine are grown up

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