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 attracted 298 comments (bottom of this article) before being closed. 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 after washing?
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.
One common theory is that the quality of many modern fabrics are to blame, that they are too thin. 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. Up to now, many people who have complained to their washing machine manufacturer have been told the same thing.
They’ve been told the fault lies with themselves, and that they are probably spinning certain items too fast.
In my experience, many faults are caused by customers either misusing appliances or not reading instruction books (or the wash labels on the laundry!) properly so they are naturally the first suspects.
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 is 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 the drum
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 can buy a replacement drum lifter or paddle for your washing machine on Spares4Appliances Drum lifter (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 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
Insects – Moths?
Don’t forget that certain insects and moth larvae can damage clothes. They cause lots of small holes that look very similar to the holes in clothes photos I’ve received. Obviously if holes only appear in specific places on clothes (like only the front lower part of a t-shirt) it’s not likely to be caused by insects or moth larvae randomly chewing on them. Try searching for the following subjects – clothes damaged by insects – clothes damaged by larvae – what do moth holes look like? There’s a good artcile here too. Notice the holes are virtually the same as in some of my photos except they are cleaner holes than some of my examples – Do moths eat cotton?
Removing a drum paddle (lifter) to gain access to the bottom of the tub
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.
Sometimes you can get an obstruction out through the dispenser/tub hose or the heating element
If you suspect the obstruction is trapped somewhere in the middle of the drum you may be able to get to it through the hole in the outer drum where the dispenser hose is attached. This is where the water and detergent is washed into the drum from the soap drawer.
Sometimes an underwire gets mangled and trapped on the heating element and removing the element can allow access to it. However, it depends where the heater is, some are right at the front of the machine and very hard to access and some are at the back behind the rear panel and easy to access. This method is not recommended though unless desperate because it may involve stripping a washing machine down, and you may not be able to refit the heater even if you get it out.
Worse still you could refit it incorrectly and it pops out during a wash cycle flooding the kitchen, or you don’t get it located under its holding bracket and the drum bashes it relentlessly on spin.
However, this article looks at where is the heater and how to remove it?
I’ve written another article on this subject here Holes in clothes photos which features many photos sent in to me with holes of all sizes and on various laundry.
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.
Photos of damaged laundry
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.
Try this experiment
Jeff suggested a great experiment in my comments section, which should prove whether the small holes in t shirts are caused by the washing machine or by the wearer.
Buy a new t shirt of the type that has been getting the holes (but never wear it). Each time you do laundry, throw it in with everything else and see if it ever gets holes. If it does, then as it has never been worn it’s probably the washing machine/detergent/faulty fabric. But if holes do not appear, then the holes in the other t shirts are most probably being caused by something the wearer of the shirts is doing to stress the fabric and not caused by washing.
Protect t-shirts and other laundry when washing
Use a net washing bag to protect delicate laundry, which helps prolong the life of clothes, and prevents wear and tear from friction
Comments now disabled
There are many comments below to research but new comments have been disabled because they have reached a large enough number for it to be impractical for most people to read them – let alone even more.
However, I strongly advise you take the time to read through them if this is a serious problem for you as there are many thoughts, speculations and ideas that may help. If you have any useful advice or information please contact me and I can either open up the comments for you or add your thoughts to the article.
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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 –
Thanks for your reply, Andy. As far as I am concerned, it is definately the washing machine – last week we washed my son’s new school uniform ( he has never worn it before as he starts in September ). The T-shirt came out with a hole in it. The same with a T-shirt that was mine – the holes are around 2 mm in diameter.
We have tried all combinations to eliminate the problem – lower spin speeds, less washing in the machine but all to no avail. We still get holes. Generally there is only 1 hole per item, but very occasionally there are 2.
Hello Damian. In that case you need to channel your complaints to the people you bought it from as they are the ones responsible in UK consumer law. I would also contact Watchdog (I may approach them myself soon) to see if they are receiving other complaints. Finally I would take advice from the consumer groups (links on my consumer advice section).
Forget the washing machine theory – My son bought a tee shirt wore it once and before he even put it in the wash it had holes –
I have also had many tee shirts destroyed by these holes and the holes are usually on the bottom of the shirt and in group of about three – ( They are near where the zipper or belt would be – but I know there was no belt worn and the zippers are not able to snag it either –
So now what !
I have had this problem for nearly two years, small holes at waist level in fine cotton tshirts and jersey items lyocell and other syntheticsalso, always a small circle of several small holes. It started in my teenage daughters tops from GAP mostly, then spread to mine and my other teenage daughter, we have eliminated the washing machine, detergent, way of drying, etc. From looking on the web I think it is caused be carpet beetle larvae. At the present time we have about forty tops with holes in, some have not even made it into the wash they are brand new, they will be worn and then later the holes appear when you examine them the next day. Antoher theory is that the fabrics are contaminated with larvae in China and the clothes are made up and sold to us with larvae in them with only shows after a short time.
I have been having this problem and believe it’s linked to wearing a belt in my case however if others are having this problem without wearing belts then I’m at a loss?
I am having this problem as well, the holes are not limited to the bottom of the garment and has happened only in t-shirts and t-shirt like material. Several of my daughters brand new (washed once or twice) Hollister shirts are ruined. I do not think the dryer is causing this and I have seen no moths. I do not dry mine or my husbands shirts and they have been effected as well. I am so upset by this, I wish I knew what to do. Anyone know who I could show the damage to that would know the cause?
I am experiencing the same problem with a 6Kg 1200 rpm. The washer drier is about 5 years old and only now started chewing up the laundry. I have checked the inside and all feel fine. I don’t think is caused by the punched holes in the drums as this would became apparent from new and not after 5 years service. This sounds like a common problem with many washing machines and I suspect that manufactures are not trying to resolve this problem in order to sell more.
I have had this washer 5 yrs and never had a problem until 6mths.ago.do you think i need a new washer..? most maufacturers would say YES. Dont you think its really strange or should i say convenient this is happening to a lot of peoples clothes…is it a way of making us all buy a new washer?..i think so . we need watchdog involved..Its a good job people can buy modern clothes with holes already in.
It’s interesting that a couple of people have only recently started getting this problem after five years. If it was a design fault in the washing machine or washer dryer you’d expect the problem to be present from the start.
Holes in laundry suddenly starting after about five years could be caused by something that has become subject to wear though. For example drum bearings giving a little and allowing the drum slightly closer to the heating element and tub during spin, or the door seal gap increasing allowing items to get trapped between it and the revolving drum.
Ironically, since writing these articles I have noticed that quite a few of my own cotton laundry has holes in it. The items affected are cotton underwear and cotton socks. Lots of my own socks have holes in them, in the heel and round the toes. However, I have always assumed these holes have been caused by sharp toenails and rough skin on heels or even walking around the house without slippers on at times. I still believe these are the main suspects but I am monitoring the situation.
The holes in underwear are tears and they are mostly just above seams. These could have been caused by the washing machine, or they could just normal be wear and tear. Again I’m monitoring the situation.
It is easy to blame the washing machine but a substantial amount of damage to laundry is caused by normal wear and tear, overloading the washing machine, washing woollens and silks in biological detergents, or spinning some fabrics on too fast a spin speed etc. – all of which I’ve covered in my articles here. But there remains an increaasingly large percentage of people who are getting their laundry damaged and holed in situations that cannot be explained away so easily. In particular, many people are having holes appear in their cotton T-shirts and other cotton items that are perfectly capable of being spun at full speed. Some are virtually new items not yet subject to wear and tear and so washing machines are still suspects in many cases.
As more people contribute to this topic it increases the chance that a pattern may emerge.