This page shows several photos of holes that have appeared in clothes after washing. They were all supplied by my readers after reading my main article on the subject. Please see the main article on holes in clothes and possible causes
Holes in cottons
The jeans are new, cotton denim, being washed for the first time, with three other pairs of similar jeans (program selected = coloureds economy E40, spin 1200). Detergent used was Bold 2 in 1, no other additives, bleach, etc.
The damage in the clothes below looks different to the holes described by many others. These holes are more tears or cuts, and it looks like the fabric has been forced through something and cleanly cut. The description of the problem was as follows – (Blue card used to make holes stand out)
"For several months now I’ve been finding small holes in clothing – mostly in cotton t-shirt type material. At first I assumed it was something I was doing wrong. I’ve been careful to wash on the right speeds and not fill the drum too full. The holes remain and they appear even in clothing worn only once."
"I know the holes were not there prior to washing. Some of the holes are small and some almost look like small tear. It doesn’t seem to matter what brand of clothing – Old Navy, Target, Aeropostale, GAP. This is frustrating!"
(washer/dryer – drum capacity size not reported)
Holes in polyester and acrylic
My machine (Zanussi ZWF 1221W) is 1 year old. I have noticed small holes have appeared in some items of clothing when washed in this machine. Each of the holes is about 1cm in size. The jacket is polyester and was washed as a single item with no other items in the machine (program selected = synthetics, 40 deg, spin selector set at 1200 which for synthetics results in an actual spin speed of 900).
Holes in bed sheet
This photo of a hole in a sheet was sent in by Henri who says the hole occurred after the first time it was washed. The hole has fraying all round the edges which is conducive with friction or being snagged on something sharp. This was the only hole in the sheet so it looks like it might have somehow caught on something in the drum such as the end of an under-wire from a bra. Objects can get caught underneath the drum (especially on the heating element and bracket). Then when the drum spins round at speed and centrifugal force pushes parts of the fabric through the drum holes they can snag on the object.
These photos were sent in by Jackie
The one on the bottom right looks like a cut. It’s as though it’s been forced through a hole and cut. The others are much smaller. Jackie said –
Even my Miele (with a honeycomb drum) is causing damage to my laundry, much to my surprise! Did a light, coloured wash yesterday and out came a relatively new t-shirt with a hole at the front just below the neck line. I used a 40 wash with 1200 spin speed-makes no difference in my experience what programme or speed is used. Some holes are fairly tiny, but enough to ruin an item of clothing, others are quite sizeable chunks ripped from the garment. Have now invested in a huge net laundry bag-but we shouldn’t have to use one for every wash should we? ”
I have to admit I’m struggling to see how these holes could have been caused by a Miele Honeycomb drum because they don’t have normal round holes, and the drum is specifically designed to be extra gentle on laundry. It might be fairer to say that the holes have happened despite having a Honeycomb drum. As my main article and the comments reveal, many of the holes are not actually caused by the washing machine – holes in clothes and possible causes
Don’t be too keen to blame the washing machine until you have ruled out all the other causes. I currently keep an open mind on the subject and trying to collate enough information to be able to get to the bottom of this problem.
Forbes rent appliances and specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details
Links to more articles on holes and tears in laundry
- Holes in clothes and possible causes (The main article that this page accompanies)
- Small holes in clothes after washing – my washing machine is slowly eating my clothes (Forum topic)
- Biological washing machine detergents can damage woollens & silks (cause holes)
Cathy says
I have the same thing going on with my clothes. We have discovered that it is the Oxyclean liquid stain remover. It breaks down the fabric
Paul says
Just reading this and i have had the same problem with a few of my t shirts.small holes have appeared in the cotton,only very small mind like in the pics above.dont think its my machine as its never happened before,i have a john lewis 1230 which is nearly 8 years old now.i use ariel liquid colour but have recently swapped to persil colour which i think maybe the problem?
Andreas says
Jeans should Always be buttoned the fabric is hard and it will not make the button go off. Otherwise the zipper opens and congratulations you now have snagged laundry. Same if you forget normal zippers. So button should always be opened to avoid falling off unless it’s jeans then you must close the button . And zippers always closed.
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Good point Andreas. To be honest I’m not sure it’s been mentioned before, even in my article. But open zips on laundry could potentially cause damage to other some other laundry. I’m not sure they would account for actual holes, certainly not many of them that are I’ve seen but good advice.
Dave Thornton says
After ten years of wondering, I think our small holes are caused by clothes pegs. Our plastic clothes pegs have two plastic stubs holding on the rubber gripper and I’m now thinking it’s those. The holes are normally in the bottom of t-shirts but in the middle of sheets, and that’s where we peg them. It’s always thinner material that has the holes. Often it’s two small holes at the start, about 1cm apart, just like the stubs. Check yours out.
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Dave. Thanks for your contribution. It appears that holes can be caused by many different things. It’s good to have your suggestion, which hasn’t been made before.
V says
Oxi clean stain remover left on overnight weakens the fabric and leaves irreversible, moth-like damage!!!
Like on first pictures
james butcher says
ive been getting holes after washing and wondered if it could be caused by my washing machine not having a retaining clip around door seal?
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello James. The retaining clip around the door opening is there to prevent the door seal un-peeling from the door frame. If it’s not fitted, depending on how it’s designed it may not cause any issues at all or it may mean the door seal doesn’t fit very well and starts to come off. If it’s fitting is compromised I would expect the washing machine to leak water down the front.
Sandra says
I’ve got lots of lil holes and it’s only in my pjs I’ve noticed a few days ago load of tiny hole only in my pjs and I keep them all in two drawers! It’s so weird I have been using Persil colour for about 2 yrs so I’m not sure if that is the problem but I’m not noticing it in any other clothes that I have in my chest of drawers just the two drawers that are attached to my bed. I actually have four drawers but it’s jus the two drawer and I’ve pulled everything out of the drawers and there’s nothing in them! Please someone help me with my mystery!!!!!????!!!!