remember that thread wondering why we were all getting mysterious holes in the fronts of tops and we thought it had something to do with washing machines!

[brimfull]

well it has happened to a t-shirt and I haven't even washed it yet!

Must be something to do with the button on my jeans .
Might be a little teeny man with a very sharp pointy thing living in my tummy button.

I had this problem too.

For ages I was cursing the washing machine and blaming DP. I said he must have left a screw in his pocket and it was stuck somewhere in the drum. I was regulary feeling all over the inside of the drum trying to find something sharp to no avail.

It was only when I noticed that all the holes were just below belly button height that I realised it couldn't possibly be the washing machine.

It was the metal buttons on my jeans! So, I coated all the buttons with clear nail varnish and no more holes.

I now religiously coat the buttons after ironing.

There's a great feeling of satisfaction having solved and cured the problem but I could weep over some of the lovely tops I've had to throw away.

hmm haliborange-interesting theory

so zip or metal buttons and cheap fabric , must also be cheap fabric as zips and metal buttons have been around for yrs and the mystery holes are a relatively new phenomena

I think it's the machines on a high spin cycle.

Omigod I am so glad to hear that others have this problem!!

I started getting those annoying little holes in all my lovely lightweight jersey tops - same as others, just below the belly button. Only me, not DH or the kids. It all started about 2 years ago when we moved into a new flat. A year later we moved again, and the holes mostly stopped appearing. I really do think it was the worktop - we have a much older, more worn, smoother worktop now.

And I never spin soft tops like that on higher than 500rpm.

I never get them

I alwat wear an apron in the kitchen

And rarely wear a belt withbjeans as I'm fat enough to keep them up

Not sure if this is relevant but thought I would share.......

Wow - I've this problem and been mystified - also I would swear the clothes weren't holed before they were washed (otherwise I'm just inspecting them more closely after washing). I think for me it's the spin speed problem I'm going to reduce it and see what happens!! Thanks RG - otherwise it has to be those goddam moths.

Since it seems to be a recent development (the last 3/4 years) do we think that it is the manufacturers using cheaper fabrics (curse you, Jigsaw, and your overpriced tat) or is it that I am experiencing middle-aged spread?

I have bookmarked the thread Maveta linked to read later.
Still can't decide, but we have granite worktops, moths, I drive and put everything on a fast spin cycle.
My DH is also rather smug when he says he doesn't have any - so maybe it is the worktop!

Must be the work tops.
I have not noticed the holes in my tops and I do everything (seat belt, high spin cycle etc.) but ... spending much time at my work tops

OMG I thought it was just me too.

I am a bit lazy with bras and just throw them in the wash basket so they end up going in with the whites (60 degrees max spin). So I am thinking that it is the fastenings on the bras doing it. Started washing them separately now so maybe things will improve. Fed up with ruined tops.

haven't read all posts but i've figured out that (for my tops) its the button on my denims rubbing against the top i'm wearing when washing up, leaning against a granite surface.
have heard it "scratching" the worktop when i've moved against it.

I read somewhere (can't for the life of me remember where) that it was due to fabric being overstretched so manufacturer could get more out of it. That doesn't sound all that plausible now I've written it down...

I used to have this and I am fairly sure that it was due to a particular pair of jeans I used to wear (never wore belts). Don't wear them any more and don't get the holes any more.

raffiiscool - i handwash my bras and still get the holes.

my holes are DEFINITELY to do with me being at the kitchen work top all the time, cooking etc.

My tummy rests against the counter and button of jeans pushes against tops and wears holes in clothes. Have accepted it, moved on, try not to wear nice tops when cooking, wear aprons etc.

Oh wow! We're getting holes in a lot of clothes ATM - jeans, tops, you name it and it's got nothing to do with zips or buttons or worktops because there's no consistency with the location of the holes (chest of DH's shirt, legs of his jeans). I'm blaming the washing machine although I can't feel anything in the drum.

Fantastic! other people have the same problem that I've been trying to hide for ages. I thought it was jeans buttons or belts nipping the fabric as my rolls of fat secured it in place! will now look at how i stand at the worktop (granite)and see if i can stop my wardrobe dissintegrating ....

There was a massive conversation about this on LBC last week, I thought they were all barking, seems not if it's happening to Mumsnetters it must be true!

Just spotted this thread, I was having this conversation with a friend recently and she had been told it was to do with the cleaning sprays etc that we put on our worktops eating through the fabric as you lean against them to prepare food etc, sounded quite plausible to me - haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has been suggested already!

I am glad it is not only me

I had put it down to the belt and carrying DS but on reading this thread I may change my mind.

That and DS is now 3 1/2 and far too heavy to carry!

I will ponder this more

Okay so I just posted on another thread about this, but why oh why is it happening?

Am wearing new top for second time and noticed several tiny holes in it under belly button. It's been through the washing machine but can't see how that would cause holes in the same place. Besides we have got a new washing machine and this has been happening to me for years. Seems to be a certain type of fabric but if it was bugs you'd think they'd eat more of it - not just the same bit all the time. I do wear jeans with a belt but can't see anything rubbing against the particular bit with holes in, and as it's new I haven't leant against that many countertops yet. It's so frustrating.

I've read it could be carpet beetles but as I said above I don't really get why they'd only go for a tiny area of t-shirts.

this annoys the hell out of me. it is ruining all my tops
its not a belt or certain trousers.
I have this habit of making sure my top isn't too tight and pulling at it, I think I might be doing it.

Thin t-shirts get little holes near the belt/buttons. I don't buy thin t-shirts any more.

I rarely have this issue, and rarely use the kitchen at all...HTH

It mostly happens to dd's t-shirts, and in particular the Boden ones .
She definitely does not go near a worktop. And wears no belts.