Holes in washing (laundry)
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.
The people having problems are finding holes routinely appearing in denim skirts & shirts, cotton shirts, sheets, dresses, corduroy skirts etc. again, the problem doesn’t seem to be confined to one type of laundry.
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.
Why do manufacturers always blame the customers?
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-guilty
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
Whilst on the subject, another common problem is…
… many people don’t realise that different types of laundry have different wash load capacities and that exceeding them amounts to overloading. In this case 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. Check none of the drum lifters or paddles isn’t damaged or loose revealing a hole with sharp edges. 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.
Buy drum lifter or drum paddle
If you have a loose or broken drum paddle (lifter) you may be able to find a replacement on 4Washerhelp Drum lifters | Drum paddles
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 wollens 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: 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, please send me yours ( Contact me )
I am still collecting data and experiences on this subject. I’m interested to know how many people affected have larger than 5Kg drums.
Photos of damaged laundry
Please send photos of your holes in laundry if they are different to the ones ( already featured ) possible but whether sending a photo or just commenting on this article please at least state state -
- The drum capacity
- The top spin speed
- Is it a washing machine or a washer dryer?
- The type of laundry affected – then describe as accurately as possible the exact nature of the damage
- The detergent used
Photos so far – Holes in clothes photos
If 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.
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”.
Written By - Washerhelp on August 21st, 2007 with
123 comments
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#1. August 30th, 2007, at 2:38 PM.
Damianmkvs, the manufacturer not being interested because it’s now out of warranty is understandable. They would be interested if they thought it was possible the fault could lie with them and their washing machine but clearly (at this stage at least) they don’t. However, this doesn’t affect your statutory rights and it is the company you bought the washing machine from that you have a complaint with in UK consumer law – not the manufacturer.
The big problem is of course that you can’t be 100% certain that the fault is with the washing machine although I understand why you would strongly suspect it is. You would have to take the seller to the small claims court where a judge would decide. There is plenty of consumer advice on my main Washerhelp site including a link to instigate a small claim online Consumer advice – washing machines
This article is meant to not only highlight the issue, but to try to eliminate the possibility that the holes are caused by user error, which is why I mention the maximum loading and maximum spin speeds for certain types of laundry. Anyone affected needs to make sure they aren’t spinning certain types of laundry at inappropriate speeds.
However, the experience of damianmkv (and one or two others on my washing machine forum) is that the damage to laundry is happening mostly on cotton T-shirts and other cotton items. Cotton is virtually the only type of laundry that can be spun at full speed. If this is the case then the manufacturer’s theory that it is users spinning items too fast doesn’t hold water. People have also reported damage even when spinning items as low as 900 rpm.
If the damage to clothing is lots of small holes that match the pattern in the drum it would strongly imply that it is caused by the fabric being forced through the holes of the drum. If you are experiencing this problem with cottons – that should be spun at full speed then it’s hard to blame anything but the washing machine. If on the other hand the damage is more like snagging, or threads being pulled it could be because it’s catching on something.
I am still collecting data and experiences on this subject. I’m interested to know how many people affected have larger than 5Kg drums.
Anyone affected should add a comment. Please make sure you’ve read the explanations of possible causes to ensure that you aren’t inadvertently causing the problem by one of the several known user causes. Please state -