There appears to be a problem with many washing machines routinely “causing” small holes in laundry. Judging from the correspondence I’ve received so far it is happening to a lot of people, with different makes of washing machine and with various drum sizes and spin speeds. Therefore, finding a pattern and identifying a definite cause is proving difficult. However, almost everyone is blaming the washing machine. This article has attracted 298 comments before being closed and they indicate that many of the holes may not be caused by the washing machine after all, though washing machines can clearly cause holes in laundry.
What’s causing holes in clothes?
There is no one simple answer to the cause of holes in clothes but a detailed look at this article and its comments may help. It may be necessary to try and work out the cause by process of elimination and looking for clues. It’s not as simple as just blaming the washing machine. The people having problems are finding holes routinely appearing in denim skirts & shirts, cotton shirts, t-shirts, sheets, dresses, corduroy skirts etc. so the problem doesn’t seem to be confined to one type of laundry.
Why do manufacturers always blame the customers?
Up to now, the people who have complained to their washing machine manufacturer have all been told the same thing. They’ve been told the fault lies with themselves and that they are spinning certain items too fast.
In my experience, whenever there is a manufacturing defect in a washing machine resulting in either damage to clothes or persistent breakdown of the washing machine itself, manufactures usually do blame the customer at first. This is sometimes due to a natural caution and fear of opening the floodgates of compensation claims, but it’s often simply that many faults are caused by customers either misusing the machines or not reading instruction books properly so they are naturally the first suspects. It also often takes a long time for certain problems and their causes to become apparent and recognised by a big organisation.
At this stage it is unclear whether or not there is a problem with the design or quality of some washing machine drums and tubs that could account for lots of small holes in laundry. However, it makes sense for anyone getting holes in their laundry on a regular basis to make absolutely sure that they are not inadvertently causing the problem themselves before pursuing a manufacturer or the seller of the appliance.
Make sure you are not inadvertently causing the holes in clothes
If you are experiencing regular random holes in your washing you need to check that you are not washing items on wash programmes with a final spin speed that’s too fast for them. This is the explanation some manufacturers have given to customers who complained about holes in washing.
If you know you are definitely using the washing machine correctly then at least you can say with confidence that the manufacturer, or their engineer is wrong if they try to blame incorrect spin speeds for the damage.
To help you decide you really should check out the instruction book but here is a rough guide from my Miele 1400 rpm spin washing machine operating instructions which has a 6kg drum. Different manufacturers and different models of washing machine may vary but this chart shows that certain items should not be spun at full spin speed –
- Cottons: 1400 rpm
- Minimum iron: 1200 rpm
- Delicates: 600 rpm
- Woollens: 1200 rpm
- Silks: 400 rpm
- Shirts: 600 rpm
- Denim: 900 rpm
Make sure you aren’t overloading
Many people don’t realise that different types of laundry have different wash load capacities and that exceeding them amounts to overloading. In most cases the consequences are more likely to be reduced wash efficiency but if you put a full load of denim, or shirts on a wash programme that does the maximum spin then the manufacturer could claim some may get damaged.
Here is a link to a previous article showing the maximum recommended loads for certain fabrics (again, consult your washing machine’s instruction book because the load sizes will vary amongst manufacturers and models – especially models with larger or smaller drum capacities) Laundry comes out of washing machine badly creased?
Other possible causes of holes
Bra wire (or underwires)
Bra wires are an extremely common problem with washing machines. Many of them (especially from cheaper bras) escape during the wash and get trapped under the drum. Commonly you will hear a gentle metallic scraping noise as the drum turns but depending where it settles it may not make any noise at all. The ends of bra wires can be sharp, especially if they break. As the clothes are forced through the small holes in the drum (particularly cottons) during spin they can snag on the underwire and cause damage to the laundry.
If underwires from a bra are removable they should always be removed before washing. I’m sure many of them are supposed to be hand washed only! Here’s an article I’ve published about washing nets designed specifically to protect a bra in the washing machine – Bra washing nets
Other obstructions in the tub, a damaged drum, loose drum lifter etc.
Coins and other metallic obstructions commonly cause problems with washing machines. They can damage the drum or loosen and break the plastic drum lifter (paddles) leaving a small hole or gap where laundry can snag. Carefully examine the drum for dints or even tears, maybe an elongated drum hole that now has a sharp edge. TIP: Try using a nylon stocking stretched over a hand to feel all the way round a drum and paddles to see if anything snags.
Check none of the drum lifters or paddles are damaged or loose revealing a hole with sharp edges. If you have a loose or broken drum paddle (lifter) it can cause damage to clothes. You may be able to buy a replacement for your washing machine on 4Washerhelp Drum paddles (or lifters)
Zips and buckles
As a precaution try turning garments with zips inside out after zipping up the zipper. Watch out for garments that have metal buttons or buckles. Also try placing delicate laundry in net wash bags.
Biological detergents could damage woollens and silks
I’ve just written another related article describing how some holes in clothing could be caused by using biological detergent. This issue is only related to silks and woollens though – Biological washing machine detergents can damage woollens and silks causing holes
Bleach
Undiluted bleach should not be used in a washing machine. It’s corrosive. Even dilute bleach can weaken laundry. Read the label carefully before using.
Deodorant
Chris (who used to work for a cosmetics company) added a comment to this article suggesting deodorant can damage the fibres on laundry and he could be on to something especially as many people spray across their front whilst wearing a top these days – Comment #113 on deodorant and damage to laundry
Research this topic further by reading the topic started on my washing machine forum where several different people have contributed – Small Holes In Clothes After Wash: My washing machine is slowly eating my clothes NOTE: The forum is currently read-only. If you have anything to contribute to this topic please leave a comment here or ( Contact me ).
UPDATE:
Photos of damaged laundry
I’ve written another article on this subject here Holes in clothes from washing machines which summarises the situation so far and links to photo evidence sent in to me – Holes in clothes photos
If tiny holes are appearing only in t-shirts at the front
This can be caused by physical wear caused by rubbing against jeans, belts, and even kitchen worktops whilst working in the kitchen. For further details see the many comments below this article. Several people have identified their holes in the front lower half of t-shirts as being caused by rubbing against the kitchen worktop. Granite worktops are particularly implicated.
Jeff suggested a great experiment in comment number 222 which should prove whether the small holes in t shirts are caused by the washing machine or by the wearer.
Protect t shirts and other laundry when washing
washing nets (from 4washerhelp spares site)
“Helps prolong life of clothes, and prevents wear and tear from friction”.
I have experience holes in my Levis after washing. It doesn’t happen a lot, but just when they are getting “broken in” and looking good and feeling comfortable. It happens both with zippered and button-fly. I have a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II, large capacity machine. This was not an expensive washer, all I wanted was a good quality standard washer without all the bells and whistles. My latest theory, is that when I occassionally leave a few coins in the pocket, they could be rubbing holes in the denim.There are never holes in the pockets themselves, but I always find the quarters in the bottom of the washer, when the load is completed. Anyone else experience this?
I have had this exact same problem with small holes, mostly in the front of thin, sometimes nearly new cotton and cotton stretch t-shirts. I have a Miele washer with a honeycomb drum.
I had a pest control specialist take the garments to some expert who looked at the holes microscopically (holes are the type where fabric is missing) and said that the holes were definitely not from moths or other bugs but from something mechanical weakening a thread in the fabric which then leads to a hole. It cannot be from a belt as my 7 year old’s t-shirts have them and he has never worn a belt.
That is as far as I have gotten in solving the mystery. New holes reappearing daily. Surely SOMEONE knows the cause ?
we have recently moved house and all of a sudden small holes have started to appear in the front (all at waist height) of both mine and my wifes cotton clothes (t-shirts and others) after washing. we have checked all surfaces at the height that may cause a rip, but there is nothing.as others have posted it is most confusing. Some t-shirts i have had for a while others literally worn once…there seems to be no discrimination as to the age of the garment.
i can see from above that there seems to be little or no explanation as to why this occurs…..anyone?
Bev, reading through your comments i see that we have the same problem….did you ever work it out, is it still happening?
Ok, this is for everyone experiencing holes at the front below the waistline. I don’t have the definitive answer but reading other comments combined with my own exprerience I think we’re nearer the truth. About 2 years ago (this is significant) holes as described in these posts started to affect only t-shirts in my wardrobe. Always in clusters,always within 3 inches of the bottom seam in the centre of the front. So, what is it?
-It’s not lavae/moths (nothing else affected,girlfriends clothes are fine.How do they know to eat in one place?)
-It’s not solely the washing machine( again girlfriend and lodgers clothes are fine,againm the specific area of holes)
-It’s not recreational cigarettes.
-It’s nothing sharp they come in to contact with.
Initially it was thinner tops but now it includes medium weight cotton. The timing is key here as it’s when I gave up work to become a stay at home dad. I used to wear a suit to work, my lovely tops were worn in the evening in front of the TV or occasional nights out. I will now put a t-shirt on at 7am, do the Dad stuff, including walking 4-5 miles a day and take it off at night.I also cook every meal and after testing I do rub against the worktop when chopping etc .
Reading other reports I’m certain it’s the massive increase in wear and tear combined with the tops all being fairly new. I haven’t checked the country of origin but I’d bet it’s cheaper made and a finer or less substantial knit. It wears thin (once after 3 wears) you wash it, it stretches and bingo-Holes.
A single test of this is a YMC t-shirt. Fairly thin, 10 years old, worn all the time. Still has great shape and colour and NO holes. It’s Italian cotton.My guess is many brands now source from the far east (Even Paul Smith, £120 for a jumper made in China? No thanks!) I also have Evisu jeans (Itallian),12 years old, still fine. Bought some far east made Lee jeans 8 months ago, crotch is through already.
I’ll speak to a couple of fabric manufacturers (I have time on my hands) for there opinion but untill then I’m convinced it’s poorer quality combined with extra impact. Still doesn’t sort my wardrobe out but should I buy a top tomorrow I’ll damm want to no the provenence of the material. We do it with cars, meat, furniture. It’s time to do it with cotton!
Sorry it’s so long. I’m slightly obsessive.
Rob Anderman. London.
Reckon I’ve worked ot the front T-shirt holes in my case, maybe it’s the cause in all the others. I cook 3 times a day and have a grained laminate work surface. I wear a metal belt buckle. I f you rub up/down or left /right as I do when preparing food it takes no more than 3-5 “impacts” to put a hole in thin cotton.It seems to be where the fabric is squeezed between the buckle “pin” and the abraisive worktop edge. Even without the belt it will go through after a bit more contact.However I do accept that it’s only tops bought in the last few years that suffer and it’s reasonable to assume they are of a lower resistance/quality compared to stuff I wear from the 90′s. I can’t believe I’ve put up with the smell of moth balls for 2 years when it was simply making dinner that has wrecked my wardrobe.
This solution was suggested by a poster on an American forum so I simply followed his experiment exactly and achieved the same results.That I believe, is science.
Isn’t it funny that Washing Machine engineers haven’t heard of this problem (yeh right!!). Today, after several phone calls and an email to customer services, managed to get a Zanussi engineer to call to check out my machine free of charge! Of course he couldn’t find anything wrong with it, all he did was run his hand around the drum and the seals, which took approximately 5 minutes. After studying my holey washing, his comment was “it must be the way you’re washing it luv”. After 30 years of wasing clothes this was like a red rag to a bull and ended in a stand up row in the kitchen. He left to send his report back to Zanussi who I’m waiting to hear from with baited breath! Where do I go from here??
Lindsay: I’m not surprised you were angry if he was as patronising as that. The big problem with this issue is that there are many different causes of holes in laundry. If the washing machine is to blame it should be damaging all different types of laundry and in random places.
Anyone getting holes only in certain types of fabric and in certain areas should look for another explanation because a washing machine cannot place holes in specific places and on specific garments.
Also a washing machine is likely to tear clothes, or cause friction damage if they get trapped between the outer drum and the door seal which engineers will commonly blame on overloading. Overloading can result in this sort of damage but so can a badly designed washing machine (more commonly washer dryers) or one with a large gap between the drum and the door seal or a badly elliptical drum. Overloading should be avoided but in my experience more people underload than overload.
we’ve got the same problem and as spending my sunday evening trying to find the bug responsible, but reading this clearly it’ s possibly something as abstract as wear on worktop or sub-standard cotton – i am going to investigate those options first.
thanks to the great posts on here, particularly Rob (#58 & 59) – this is clearly a wider spread issue than i thought.
Rob, get a hobby!
thanks
Did a white wash yesterday and one t-shirt came out with a small hole on the back at about shoulder blade level. The material is completely missing but does not appear to be ripped but has slightly jagged edges to it as usual.
I don’t expect Lindsay to get any more joy from Zanussi than I did a couple of years ago. They virtually dismantled my machine on the kitchen floor and couldn’t find anything wrong with it so would not accept any responsibility for damaged laundry.
Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to any of this and it is driving me nuts!
I have had this problem for at least 5 years, maybe as long as 10. It’s always cotton t-shirts. Area varies from the waist to the back, to the top and on the front! The holes are tiny, around 2-3mm to around 5 mm. The material from the centre is always missing. It is VERY ANNOYING when it is a new or favourite top. I have been in tears of frustation over this sometimes. I have had it happen with many different washing machines. My current machine only 1 year old LG direct drive 7.5kg is now doing it, or so I believe! We lived in the States for 3 years and it happened then too. It was happening with my machine (a bosch) before we moved to the States and it happening with the machine before that! (can’t remember the make). It never happens with the kids school shirts, only jersey soft knit type cotton. I have found it on the odd pillowcase too. I am now wondering about the substandard cotton theory too after reading all this. It can’t be all my machines and all my detergents. I am very careful with my laundry, it happens with washes that have had no buttons, zips/fasteners in too. I never wash at more than 1200 spin and never overload. It got to me so much a few years ago that I started washing clothes inside an old duvet cover for extra protection for a while, I think it may have worked but not sure. I may try this again now. I am so glad I found this on the internet I always thought it was just my problem! None of the washing machine engineers I have dealt with over the years acknowledge this problem at all. I will keep checking back now for more comments.
Soft cotton will get forced through the holes in the drum on spin. The faster the spin the more they will get pushed through. If they catch the top of the heater bracket or anything trapped between the tub and drum it can cut the fabric – although this clearly shouldn’t happen. (However, I suspect the gap between the revolving drum and outer tub may have decreased over recent years as drum sizes have increased). This could result in small holes with section of fabric missing. Make absolutely sure the t-shirts can be spun at the speeds you are spinning them. Lots of t-shirts have the “no tumble dry” symbol on the label too so it’s best to comply with that.
In the absence of any known cause (or cure) anyone affected may be better off using protective washing nets. Here are a couple of large ones big enough to put t-shirts in -
Washing net (50 cm X 40 cm)
Washing net (60 cm X 60 cm)
“Helps prolong life of clothes, and prevents wear and tear from friction”.
Hi, I’ve worked as an engineer for one of the major washing companies for the last 20 years and have come across this problem from time to time.Initially I think all of us have been guilty of blaming the customer for spinning at too high a spin speed for the type of material washed and although this can still be a possible cause there is obviously other factors we now have to look at.I may be biased but I’m sure that faulty machines are a very small percentage of the problem.If you look at the damaged clothes the customer produces it is normally from the same wearer or the damage is always on the same area of each article so it is very difficult to comprehend how the machine can be so selective.In my experience as others have mentioned it will be t shirts damaged at the waist level or childrens clothes.When it started happening in my own household a few months ago I eventually had to investigate thoroughly to prove to my beloved that it wasn’t the washing machines fault.After weeks of detective work that Jim Rockford would be proud I found that it was always my wifes tops and my youngest sons tops.After a few more weeks we eventually found that a where my wifes jeans buttoned together at the waist there was a definite edge that pressed out onto her tops.It didn’t feel at all sharp but as the holes have stopped since she stopped wearing the jeans I feel this was the definite cause.As far as the damage to my childs tops this was caused by a rough thread on the harness of his childseat in the car.All the damaged articles were of the same type i.e. small round holes that in the past I would have blamed washing machine fault..So I guess the best advice I can give you is look for a pattern to the damage and then check any thing that comes into contact with that particular item while washing/drying/storing or wearing.Hope this helps.
Well I dispute that theory! All of my family, including my son’s girlfriend have items of clothes with holes in. they are not restricted to any particular area, front/back/top/bottom/sleeves have all been damaged over time.
Several years ago a top manufacturer was on WatchDog every week because of this problem-I had one of their machines at the time. An independant engineer told me what the problem was and I insisted the manufacturer sent a supervisor and an engineer to my house to test the idea. Lo and behold when they stripped my machine down there was the evidence! Clothes were being pushed through the holes in the drum during spinning, catching on a spindle at the back and then going round and round at speed until eventualy the material broke away. There was a huge bundle of multi coloured material wrapped round the spindle and they were as amazed as me. To their credit they gave me a voucher to go and purchase a machine of my choice for considerably more than I had paid. Then came the Zannusi that had the same problems but they wouldn’t accept it. Now I have a Miele but still getting holes in my laundry!! These big boys should invest some of their profits in trying to solve this problem-it really isn’t good enough.
Jim, I have looked for a pattern (I’ve had this problem for almost 10 years – different machines etc). It has happened to articles in my light wash many times which just consists of light t-shirts and underwear socks etc. No buttons, no zips or fasteners, not even rough or thick clothing. it’s happened to all our t-shirts and not just in the waist area. You answer is not the answer to my problem, unfortunately, but I’m glad you found the solution for you. As I said before, I’m going to go back to using the old duvet cover for some of my washes now! I’m just disappointed that I seemed to have been free of the problem for a few months (during which my machine was new) and now the problem has returned.
Hello Jim R: Thank you very much for contributing. It’s great to get input from people in the trade. We mustn’t forget washing machines can rip and damage clothes, and that sometimes it’s the washer and sometimes it is a user fault, but as you say (and as I say in the original article) there’s no way that so many washing machines can be causing this problem and so selectively too, so it is fair to say that in many cases people need to look at other causes.
If a washing machine is damaging clothes it should be fairly random. It’s hard to imagine how a washing machine can rip only T-shirts. If it’s random then the washing machine may be the culprit.
I did my laundry at my mothers and a sock got ripped to shreds1 I can’t find any snags in the drum, but a second wash was covered in back dots and fluff from the sock.When i put the machine on a rinse cycle with no laundry in, the bits of sock were still coming up! How can I clean the drum to stop this from happening again?
Leigh: Socks getting ripped like that can be caused by getting caught between the drum and the back of the door seal during spin. This is more likely to happen if the washing machine is overloaded and more common on washer-dryers too.
Try to get rid of the bits by putting the machine on wash a few times with no laundry inside. A quick wash or low temperature wash would be best.
If a bit of the sock is missing check the pump filter to remove them before it causes a blockage – How do I clean my pump filter – where is the pump filter?
Related topic – a pair of knickers ripped to shreds – I know why; it’s because a drum lifter on my Hotpoint WF340 broke and I had to do a load of washing with a missing drum lifter. I have now located what I think is the correct replacement parts. But I can’t find any detailed instructions for fitting them (the sort of instructions befitting a total amateur like me!). Can anyone help? Or do I have to get a professional repair person in?
You insert a small screwdriver into one of the holes on top of the lifter and press down on a springy bit of metal then slide the lifter to disengage it.
Which hole, and which way you slide depends on the model, date code and it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
They basically just clip in.
I have been finding small holes, very similar to many people have said on this forum. Always in T shirts and always at the front about 5″ from the hem of the T shirt, and always T shirts. The baby’s clothes or bedding jeans etc have not been affected. It is driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have checked the inside of the drum and cannot find any sharp obstruction, I have also checked for moths, and have not found any. I am pulling my hair out, and my husband is bored ridged with me blathering on about it!!
Has anybody got any further with this?
Well done, Jackie ! What a cracking entry – if only more people …..
We have had an excellent Miele washing machine in regular family use for 14 years with no complaints – until about 2 months ago when it started to make a noise like a main bearing going. Then surprisingly, the noise stopped – and the m/c continues to function.
However, in the last month it has started to chew random holes in all sorts of cotton garments. Nothing else has changed in the wash regime, so the cause has to be some sort of mechanical damage (outside the drum, which I have checked internally) in the m/c – as was evidenced by the noise mentioned above. This would confirm Jackie’s findings and experience.
To avoid the problem, we will be using a washing net until the m/c finally packs in.
I am not a lawyer, but would suggest if you are having this problem with a new m/c, the m/c sold to you is “not fit for purpose”.
So, use a washing net to gather the evidence that it is the m/c causing the problem, keep a written record (m/c model, dates, load contents, powder used, articles damaged {take photos}, etc) of your damage experience (with/without the net), and, if justified by the results, submit a claim via the Small Claims Court. The amount of claim should be for the cost of the m/c, plus for replacement clothes, plus for the inconvenience and distress, plus for your time to rectify the problem at say 30 pounds an hour.
Following up on my earlier post (#19)…
We changed our machine for a Hotpoint Aqualtis late last year and as far as I’m aware are no longer getting holes in clothes. The bearings on the old one had definitely gone and given that the holes were “random” it looks like this was the cause.
That said, after reading the entire thread I’m willing to believe that not all holes in clothes are the fault of the machine. I will keep an eye out for any recurrence in our household.
I have been experiencing holes in my clothes as well for the last year. They have been mostly cotton. The holes randomly appear in various places on the garments and not at waist level. Most of the clothes are mine, but a couple were my husband’s cotton shirts. The holes are usually uniform, but sometimes it looks like acid was spilled on the garment with big sections missing on the front and back sides. The fabric sometimes just seems to have rotted. I can’t find any rough spots on my washer or dryer and removed the spindle to check if properly seated. I have no problem with clothes catching between the dryer door and the drum. What is strange is that my old cotton shirts that never seem to wear out have never been affected.
My washer and dryer are older but have never caused me any problems and there is no trace of cotton “pieces” floating around. I never overload,and I wash on gentle cycle and dry permanent press. No trace of moths or carpet larvae, either. My carpet is 8 years old and laundry problem just started a year ago.
Janet: Your comment about it sometimes looking like acid was spilled made me think of bleach although it’s hard to imagine how bleach would have got onto them.
There are photos looking similar to how you describe here Holes in my holes in clothes pictures
I have just read the comments on this website with amazement after searching google for answers as to why holes are appearing in my washing. Its been happening to me on and off for the past 3-4 years and my latest washer (Bosh) is only 2 years old. After consulting friends, one of whom was having the same problem and phoned for an engineer to check her washer, she told me that he had suggested she started washing on the ‘easy care’ cycle as it could be to do with the pressure of the water when its first released into the wash. I disputed this as I have watched mine fill up empty to test it (isn’t my life boring I hear myself say – but only cos I am nuts with this problem too….!!!) and the water in mine dribbles out. Needlesstosay, I am now washing all my clothes on the easy care cycle (40) as a precaution but adding the ‘wash plus’ button to whites as the programme is a bit short. To date, we seem to be ok so his could be worth a try. I have also reduced my spin to 900. Good luck everyone
Hello Jo: It does sound a little bizarre to say the water coming into the machine could be causing holes in garments. As you say it merely trickles onto the laundry and can’t possibly enter the drum with any real force. Water comes in at mains pressure through the water valves and through into the soap dispenser where it runs down a hose into the tub. If by any chance this was causing any problems it’s clearly a design fault but I can’t imagine why he would say that.
Apart from anything the water comes in the same regardless of which programme you use. I wonder if something’s been lost in translation somewhere. The difference in the easy care programme may be less agitation and it is gentler on clothing.
At the end of the day though, if the washing machine was causing the holes it would clearly not be fit for purpose.
re article – random holes in clothes
A friend of mine with many years experience as an engineer has advised that it is caused by a combination of the following, overloading iniatialy then spinning mostly at high speed which then forces the clothes to partially protude through the small drain holes in the drum, the outer part of the drum having sharp edges due to being machine punched then snag the clothes and as the spin speed reduces and fall away from the drum and then cause small tears.
Hello washerman01443. Thanks for your contribution. All this is mentioned in my original article with several other possible causes too. The problem is if 20 people have the problem there’s likely to be several different causes.
The first thing I say is to check is that you aren’t spinning items at the wrong speed or overloading. However, many people have commented saying they are definitely using the washing machine correctly and get random holes.
The problem with the explanation given by the repairman is that most people’s holes in clothes are being caused in cotton, which can, and should be spun at full speed. Therefore if the holes are being caused by the clothes being forced through the holes in the drum then that would clearly be a design fault in the washing machine. Also, people have complained of having holes in clothes even from a Miele washing machine which has a honeycomb drum, which has no sharp punched holes at all on the other side ( Miele Honeycomb drum pictures )
its a mystery to me – I have just chanced a white wash with kids clothes that were stained that needed a long wash (not easy care), plus some of my own but kept spin to 900. It wasn’t a full load. My nice new white cotton t shirt came out with 2 holes. I couldn’t believe it – I don’t know what to think – other that get a laundry bag to protect certain items.
Jo: Your problem is typical. You are not overloading or spinning too fast which is the only explanation washing machine manufacturers and engineers are giving yet you have holes in cottons. The item affected is new so you can’t even blame wear and tear.
I have links to several protective laundry bags at the bottom of the original article.
We need more people to send me photos of the damaged clothes so we can all have a look and see exactly what kind of holes they are
Holes in clothes photos
like so many others who have commented here, I have similar experience of holes in clothes:
just in last year or so
only cotton t-shirts (GAP, Oasis, Zara..ie cheaper – though one was whistles)
always in front, about 3 inches from bottom of t-shirt
i’m doubtful that it could be the washing machine or bugs/ moths, due to the consistent pattern of the holes….I would agree it might be something to do with belts or waistband of jeans..
also I’ve washed really delicate clothes in my machine (a 2 year old Bosch – and I use woolite for most washes) but the holes are only in the t shirts i wear with jeans..
also I checked cotton T shirts I wear to into work, and these had no holes (would never wear these tops with jeans)
Welcome Susie: Yes, my bet is that many of these cases are caused by the fabric wearing against belts or similar. A combination of the new fashion of really wide belts with large buckles and maybe a reduction in quality of many t-shirts could be responsible.
It’s often the case that fabric can go into a wash without obvious holes but come out with holes due to the fabric being already badly weakened by wear and tear.
I have the same problem and it is driving me mad! I use Dreft and Seventh Generation and I think it is the enzmes in the detergent that is causeing the problem. Either that or the washing machine itself. I have a Maytag.
Have been using washing nets for my cotton tops and t shirts and so far ok so I think this could be the answer.
I thought I was going nuts, but now I know I’m not alone. I have had sooooo many t-shirts with holes at the bottom front. The shirts are from Gap, Old Navy, Target, and even Boutiques. I have felt around in my washer and dryer and have not felt anything sharp. I wonder if front load washers have the same problem?
Heather: I think most people here are using front loading washing machines.
I’ve had an e-mail from Brian who was suffering from holes in clothes and sent me some photos last year.
Here’s what he says -
Thanks to Brian for the update. This is circumstantial evidence that it was the washing machine in this particular case although we need to remember there are many different causes for this issue and it’s not always related directly to the washing machine.
Well I hope Brian has better luck than I did with my Zanussi machine a couple of years ago. They also replaced my drum/seal but it didn’t stop the problem of random holes in laundry.
Since my original note ot you in 2/08, I am glad to say I have had some success…I removed the metal button (no easy task) on my jeans and replaced it with a regular plastic button and the holes have stopped!!!
These hole’s are mostly made by buste holder’s/bra so buy a special bag for it that will protect the rest of your laundry for getting holes in them.
I too have been experiencing holes in my clothes, mainly mine put also a couple of my husbands & kids polo shirts. i have a john lewis washing machine (made by electrolux) which i purchased around march 08 so a new machine. The holes started to appear straight away & at first i didn’t realise it was the machine. After investigating all the possiblities e.g belt or bra wires i realised it must the machine and had an engineer call. He knew what the problem was and cut or a piece of rubber mould on the inside of the rubber of the door seal (he called it the paddle) and since this has been removed the holes have stopped.This is a design that alot of makes & models have & is causing problems with hole in clothes,( that is what the engineer told me. ) Electrolux have admitted liability & i am now in dispute with them over a compensation claim but not having much success. so check your machines for the “paddle” & good luck !!!
This has been happening to most of mine & my family’s t-shirt type material clothes for a while now.
What i don’t understand though is, why is it 99% of the time at the front, waist area of the item of clothing? If it was random it would happen anywhere on the item, but it doesn’t, it’s almost always at the front, waist area.
I have a Bosch 1200, about 7/8 years old now.
I think what the previous person (Charlotte) said was very interesting, that it could be the ‘paddle’ although i’m not sure where abouts to find it in the machine. But again surely the holes would be more randomly placed, not just at the front?
To be honest were thinking of getting a new washer as we are also suffering with the ‘smelly washing’ syndrome too
(where the clean washing comes out smelling musty)
Anyway, i hope the manufactures deal with this problem soon & stop sweeping it under the carpet, as its obvious there is a problem with ‘holes in washing’
Mrs B.
R Badham: Yes, holes only appearing at the front waist area of items of clothing cannot be being caused by the washing machine. It’s impossible for a washing machine to only inflict holes in specific places on specific items. They should be very random.
Your smelly washing machine problem could be helped by reading this section – Washing machine smells – causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machines
I have had the same problem for the last year. Holes in cotton shirts at belly button area. Only my shirts, no one else in house. Cause = wearing cotton shirts with jeans and rubbing against countertop (soapstone/granite/laminate – doesn’t seem to matter). The light weight cotton shirt, combined with friction against jeans(metal button and fabric protruding), and countertop causes holes. Try it and you will see. Put on your jeans, and your light weight cotton shirt, and rub against the countertop for less than one minute and you will see wear immediately and may also get holes right away. I did. Happening more to women than men as women are typically in the kitchen more. Going to wear an apron in the kitchen from now on. For some that are not in the kitchen much, maybe it is the same concept, but instead of the countertop it is friction with a seatbelt.
I have been experincing this for 2 years now, only in 1 particular area at the bottom of the garment, cotton and cashmere, I am going to try the friction test.
I have tried the friction test, and that is what causes the small area of holes always in the same place at the bottom, my worksurfaces are granite, after the rubbing of this against the button at the top of my jeans small holes appeared, not straight away but about 1/2 – 1 hour later. I will never have a granite worktop again it has cost me a fortune.
Has anyone found a solution to the hole in front of shirt problem? I see that you were going to contact manufacturers last December and wonder if there was a resolution? I am a writer for Glamour magazine in the US having this problem and did a google search and found your article. Any help appreciated. Thanks. Andrea
Hello Andrea: One solution appears to be wear caused by friction from large belts, jeans, and even kitchen worktops. If holes are only appearing in the front of shirts it has to be caused by friction somewhere. The washing machine can’t put holes only in specific places and specific types of clothing.
Hi all, posted at 58 and 59 and have enjoyed seeing how the hole quandry has evolved. I concluded as have others that the front ‘waist’ area holes are indeed caused by friction between a belt buckle pin and a kitchen worktop. And since posting I have had a new kitchen installed with a lower worktop (NOT to avoid holes! I guess I’m just pants with a tape measure) and hey presto no more holes whatsoever. So, get a new kitchen or wear heels and or braces. Could be a hot new look.
Rob Anderman, London, still too much time on my hands.