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

[foolmadammas]

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??

Same problem here - I suspect it's from me peering shortsightedly at myself in the mirror to apply makeup without my glasses on and rubbing on the work top slightly

There are undoubtedly different explanations for different holes.

If they're localised then it will be one of the specific sources of friction ( or a combination eg jeans +worktop). If they're random then could be washer. Thinner fabrics will make any of these worse.

Worktop? MKe up? You put make up on on the kitchen?

I have the same problem, it's so annoying but I'm sure it's from belts/zips, probably whilst wearing a seatbelt or carrying the child.
I've just resigned some lovely expensive new tops to slobwear-only useage and I'm pretty peeved about it.

We have a work top thingy in the bathroom (not sure what else to call it!) under the mirror, MaryB

I have had this problem for years. I assumes it was moths but always wondered why they only made holes in the front of my tops in exactly the same place but I had a brainstorm one day and realised it's not moths at all but either the top of my jeans rubbing a hole or my bag as I always wear it over my shoulder, across my stomach for safety. Very very annoying. Bought a new top that had holes after one use and all new tops I have bought this year are showing signs or holeage...

I've seen it with moths but also little sharp bits on the inside of a drier.

It cannot possibly be the washing machine!

I think people on this thread are talking about two different types of holes:

• one type of hole that is appearing on different tops in the same place - these seem to be work top/belt rubbing/waistband button/zip related.

• another type that are small random holes -these are washing machine related.

Or it could be a combo - the wearing/rubbing on the waistband weakens the fabric - that then makes it vulnerable to being torn by being sucked in the washing machine drum hole causing the tear.

I've spoken to a washing machine engineer since I posted and they said that some of the holes can be caused by dust in the drum being ignited by static in the dryer. Usually it just causes teeny holes before it gets extinguished due to the movement, but occasionally it can send the whole lot up in flames.

It's your belt buckle or jean button or other metal bits.

For sure.

I think it's little children reaching up and grabbing your top. I don't get it now DD is older.

I get this, I think it is due to small splashes of cleaning products weakening the fabric and them making holes in the top. I used to get a more extreme version of this when I worked in a lab.

wow! didn't think there would be so many theories on this and actually was convinced this only happened at my house. Like disappearing socks. So good to be part of MN and know you are not alone ...

I've had this but don't get it anymore. For me it was a combination of being short, granite work tops and wearing a thin top with jeans or a skirt with a metal button. An experiment is to wear an old already ruined tee back to front and lean against the work tops - caught between the granite and metal it makes a hole within seconds! I Wear an apron now or temporarily tuck in.

Twilight- well, yes, working in labs with an undone lab coat can certainly lead to holes but IME on a much larger scale - my undergrad sweatshirt rapidly became more hole than cloth!

I may have accidentally just pm'd someone instead of posting so apologies if you're the recipient of my witter.

I get them too and have been wondering about them.

I do not get holes in my work tops nor my good/going out tops. I do not cook in any of those, so it must be the combination of the jeans and work tops. Going to start wearing my apron more.

But your apron will get holes

Some one please solve this mystery for good

Not if the apron is sturdier cloth. I think some fabrics are much more susceptible than others - unfortunately cotton Jersey hence all the tshirts and thin cottons.

It's solved - I am 100% sure that it is from belt buckle, jeans button or other metal object pinching your clothes against desk (in my case) counter tops, etc. tiny little pinches that just nick/cut a tiny thread in tops = small holes over belly.

Think about it - why is it just tops this happens to and not dresses?

I had this for years and now I've changed how I sit at my desk I am cured.

Definitely the worktop/jeans combo. I never had this until we got granite work tops and now all my tops have them. I tried rubbing a top which was already ruined by holes against the bottom edge of the worktop and hey presto exactly the same holes in seconds. When I remember I try to put a folded up tea towel between me and the worktop if am standing there for a long time, and am hoping to resolve this problem by moving and getting different work tops!

Its the button rubbing against the top when you are leaning against worktop. I changed buttons to plastic and it didn't happen again . Then i got a new kitchen with lower worktop - problem solved!

I get this, glad for the explanation. I was blaming the cats - who definitely are responsible for the holes in the arms - they get scared when lifted & claws out!