Holes in clothes after washing
Finding small holes in clothes after washing is a surprisingly common and frustrating problem. The washing machine is usually blamed first — but in many cases it is not the cause. This guide covers every likely explanation and what to do about each one.
Holes in clothes after washing have many possible causes — including trapped bra underwires, damaged drum paddles, incorrect spin speeds, overloading, biological detergent on delicate fabrics, moths, deodorant damage, and physical wear from everyday use. The washing machine is often blamed but is frequently not the cause. Working through the likely causes systematically is the best approach.
Is the Washing Machine Actually to Blame?
The washing machine is the natural first suspect when holes appear in laundry — but experience and extensive user reports show that the cause is often elsewhere. Holes appear across different brands, drum sizes, and spin speeds, which makes a single machine design fault unlikely in most cases.
Holes appear on items that have never been worn, appear suddenly after a specific wash, or a scraping noise can be heard during the cycle — suggesting an obstruction inside the drum.
Holes appear only on worn items, only in one specific location (e.g. front lower hem of t-shirts), or have been occurring across multiple different machines over time.
Buy a new t-shirt of the type getting holes but never wear it. Wash it regularly with your normal laundry. If it develops holes, the machine or wash process is likely the cause. If it stays intact, the holes are almost certainly caused by something happening during wear — not washing.
What Is Causing the Holes? — All the Possible Causes
1. Trapped bra underwire
This is one of the most common causes of unexplained holes and damage in a washing machine. Bra underwires — particularly from cheaper bras — can escape during the wash and become trapped beneath the drum or around the drum seal.
As the drum rotates, the wire’s sharp ends snag fabric as it is forced through the small holes in the drum during spin. The damage can be intermittent, making the cause difficult to identify. You may or may not hear a faint metallic scraping sound when the drum turns.
Always wash bras in a dedicated bra washing bag to prevent underwires escaping into the machine. Many bras should actually be hand-washed only — check the care label.
2. Damaged drum paddle (lifter)
The plastic paddles inside the drum — also called lifters or baffles — tumble the laundry during the wash. If a paddle becomes cracked, loose, or broken, it can expose a sharp edge or a gap where fabric can snag and tear.
Inspect the drum paddles carefully. Run a nylon stocking stretched over your hand slowly around the inside of the drum and over each paddle — if it snags anywhere, that is a potential cause of damage. Replacement drum paddles are available from appliance spare parts suppliers.
3. Coins, foreign objects, or drum damage
Coins, clips, and other small metal objects left in pockets are a frequent cause of drum damage. They can dent or scratch the drum surface, or create elongated holes with sharp edges that snag fabric during the wash and spin.
Carefully examine the entire drum surface for dents, scratches, or sharp edges. Use the nylon stocking test — run it slowly around every part of the drum interior. Any snag point is a potential source of fabric damage. Always check and empty all pockets before loading the machine.
4. Incorrect spin speed for the fabric
Spinning delicate or lightweight fabrics at too high a speed can cause or worsen holes, particularly in thin or loosely woven materials. Many people use the default cotton programme for all laundry without adjusting the spin speed.
As a general guide, maximum recommended spin speeds vary significantly by fabric type:
| Fabric type | Max recommended spin speed |
|---|---|
| Cottons | Up to 1400 rpm |
| Minimum iron / synthetics | Up to 1200 rpm |
| Denim | Up to 900 rpm |
| Woollens | Up to 1200 rpm |
| Delicates | Up to 600 rpm |
| Shirts | Up to 600 rpm |
| Silks | Up to 400 rpm |
Always check your machine’s instruction book and the garment’s care label — these are the definitive guides for your specific appliance and fabric.
5. Overloading the drum
Different fabric types have different maximum load capacities — not just by weight but by the nature of the fabric. Overloading forces garments into tight contact with each other and the drum, increasing friction and the risk of snagging.
Many people are unaware that a full drum of heavy denim or shirts is effectively overloading the machine even if it is within the stated kg capacity. Read our guide on how to load a washing machine correctly, and see our article on laundry coming out badly creased — overloading is a common cause of both problems.
6. Zips, buckles, and metal fastenings
Open zips, metal buttons, and buckles can catch on neighbouring garments during tumbling, creating pulls and holes — particularly in thinner fabrics. As a precaution, always zip up zips fully before washing, and turn garments with metal fastenings inside out. Placing delicate items in a mesh laundry bag adds an extra layer of protection.
7. Biological detergent on delicate fabrics
Biological detergents contain enzymes that break down protein-based stains. These same enzymes can damage protein-based fabrics — particularly wool and silk — causing holes and weakening the fabric structure over time.
If holes are appearing specifically in woollen or silk garments, switching to a non-biological detergent is strongly advisable. Read our full guide on how biological detergents can damage woollens and silks.
8. Deodorant and chemical damage
Antiperspirant deodorants — particularly those containing aluminium-based compounds — can gradually weaken fabric fibres over time, especially in the underarm area. Spraying deodorant while wearing a garment can also affect the fabric at the front and sides. This is easily overlooked as a cause because the damage accumulates slowly and is not immediately visible.
If holes are consistently appearing in the same location on garments, consider whether chemical contact during wear could be responsible before attributing the fault to the washing machine.
9. Moths and insects
Moth larvae cause small, irregular holes that can look very similar to washing machine damage — particularly in natural fibres such as wool, cashmere, and cotton. The holes are typically scattered randomly across the garment rather than concentrated in one area.
If garments have been stored for a period before the holes were noticed, or if the holes appear on multiple stored items, moths or other insects should be considered as a possible cause.
10. Physical wear during everyday use
This is one of the most frequently overlooked causes — particularly for small holes that appear at the front lower hem of t-shirts. Repeated friction against jeans waistbands, belts, and kitchen worktops (granite and stone worktops are particularly abrasive) gradually weakens fabric in specific areas.
If holes consistently appear in the same location on garments — particularly the lower front — this is a strong indicator that the cause is wear during use rather than damage during washing.
How to Check Your Drum for Obstructions
If you suspect an obstruction inside the machine — such as a trapped bra wire or coin — carry out this inspection before running another wash.
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Unplug the machine. Always disconnect from the mains before inspecting the drum.
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Use the nylon stocking test. Stretch a nylon stocking over your hand and run it slowly around the entire interior of the drum — including the drum holes, the door seal, and each paddle. Any snag point indicates a sharp edge or obstruction.
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Inspect the paddles carefully. Check each drum paddle for cracks, looseness, or exposed sharp edges. A damaged paddle should be replaced — see our spare parts guide.
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Check the drum surface. Look for dents, scratches, or elongated drum holes with sharp edges caused by coins or foreign objects.
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Listen during the next wash. A faint metallic scraping or tapping during the cycle — particularly on spin — is a strong indicator of a trapped object such as a bra wire.
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If an obstruction is suspected but cannot be reached, a qualified engineer can access the drum properly without risking further damage. Book a repair engineer if needed.
How to Prevent Holes in Clothes During Washing
- ✅Always check and empty pockets before loading — coins and keys are a common cause of drum damage
- ✅Wash bras in a dedicated bra bag to prevent underwires escaping
- ✅Zip up all zips fully and turn garments with metal fastenings inside out before washing
- ✅Use mesh laundry bags for delicate items, thin fabrics, and anything with embellishments
- ✅Select the correct programme and spin speed for each fabric type — check care labels
- ✅Do not overload the drum — leave adequate space for garments to move freely
- ✅Use non-biological detergent for wool, silk, and other delicate natural fibres
- ✅Regularly inspect drum paddles and the drum interior for damage or sharp edges
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do small holes keep appearing in my t-shirts?
The most common cause of small holes specifically in the lower front area of t-shirts is physical friction during everyday wear — against jeans waistbands, belts, or abrasive kitchen worktops such as granite. Try the new t-shirt test: wash an unworn shirt repeatedly and see if it develops holes. If it does not, the cause is almost certainly wear during use rather than the washing machine.
Could a trapped bra wire be causing holes in my laundry?
Yes — this is one of the most frequent causes of unexplained fabric damage. A bra wire that has escaped into the machine can lie beneath the drum and snag garments during spin. Use the nylon stocking test to check the drum interior for sharp points or snag spots. You may also notice a faint metallic scraping noise during the cycle. Always wash bras in a protective bra bag.
Can biological detergent cause holes in clothes?
Yes — but only in specific fabrics. The enzymes in biological detergents break down protein-based stains, but they can also damage protein-based fibres such as wool and silk. If holes are appearing in woollen or silk garments, switch to a non-biological detergent. Read our full guide on biological detergents and fabric damage.
How do I know if my drum paddle is causing the damage?
Stretch a nylon stocking over your hand and run it slowly around the inside of the drum, paying close attention to each paddle. If the stocking snags on a paddle, that paddle has a sharp edge or crack that could be damaging your laundry. Replacement paddles are available — see our spare parts page to find the correct part for your machine.
Can moths cause the same kind of holes as a washing machine?
Yes — moth larvae create small, irregular holes that can look almost identical to mechanical damage from a washing machine, particularly in wool, cashmere, and cotton. If holes appear on stored garments, are scattered randomly across the fabric, or are concentrated on multiple stored items, moths are a likely cause rather than the washing machine.
My washing machine manufacturer says it is my fault — what should I do?
This is a common response from manufacturers, who often suggest incorrect spin speeds or overloading as the cause. Before accepting this explanation, work through the checks in this article — particularly the nylon stocking drum inspection and the unworn t-shirt test. If you can demonstrate that you are using the machine correctly and damage is still occurring, you have stronger grounds to pursue a complaint. Read our guide to consumer rights and faulty appliances for further advice.
Our holes in clothes photo gallery shows examples of all types of damage — from bra wire snags to drum paddle tears to wear damage — which may help you identify the cause in your own laundry.
Stretch a nylon stocking over your hand and run it slowly around the drum interior. Any snag point is a potential cause of fabric damage.
And on that note (my last comment) I think it’s time to close comments on this one. If anyone has additional useful information on this topic please contact me and I can add them to the article or these comments – thanks.