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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There have been many accounts of holes in laundry and many feasible reasons put forward. The positioning of the holes on clothing in some of the comments does suggest damage caused by products we often use (in front of us) in our homes (or gardens) a spray of some sort for cleaning, bleach or other chemical. Clothing does not appear to be affected until it is washed, when water and detergent come into contact with the site of the splash causing a reaction. I had used a very powerful drain cleaner in my shower and even though I was very careful it is possible that a splash caught the bottom of the garment I was wearing.
I didn’t notice any holes until after the garment had been washed and hung out on the line. At that time I thought the damage had been done outside. On another occasion where I used some acetic acid in the lab, a very slight splash must have occurred but didn’t appear to affect the tee shirt I was wearing until after I had washed it and then found small bleached patches. There are many household cleaners that claim to possess magical cleaning powers but some of these may be potentially dangerous to our clothing, damage of which is not apparent until after washing.
I am experiencing the same problem holes in the front bottom part of the t-shirts. One theory I’ve thought of is, could this be the shape of the t-shirt and the baggiest piece of material that allows itself to be pulled into the drum ?
Hello Darren. If the t-shirt gets sucked into the small holes of the drum the holes should be pretty random and not only in the same place. It wouldn’t just pull in the bottom part of a t shirt it would pull it in wherever the shirt was laid directly against the drum..
Interesting – we were just discussing holes in laundry. I thought I’d share the outcome of our wisdom!
There are two main reasons that you get holes in laundry.
1) In sufficient rinsing – detergent particals get caught in the fabric – don’t get washed out and will simply rot the fabric. Ofter caused by too much detergent added for the cycle. Those of us with sensitive dispositions and who have ‘extra rinse’ know that this is a fab choice to add in as it will remove nearly all the problems caused by detergents.
2) Wrong wash / spin cycle. The latest complaint was that the washing was being sucked through the holes in drum and holes appearing. When the cycle was checked; delicates were being washed on cotton with a 1200 spin cycle – the scientist in me wanted to shout ‘no brainer’. To prevent this use the instructions on the garment and wash at the temperatures shown.
The reason that more delicate cycles only allow you to have a lower weight of garments delicates need more water per kg of clothing to craddle them in the machine and to prevent stress of the fabric. (And yes, your mother was right – a really good washing machine will cause less stress to your clothes than to handwash them).
Now for the 2 caveats.
a) If you buy a lesser quality washing machine then the drum may not be double punched so it could be less smooth and so catch the clothing. If you have a double punched drum then holes are more likely from the above than the drum itself.
b) some fabrics are not uniform in their construction – linens do not have the same thickness in the whole length of the thread so if they have inherant weaknesses which detergent / wrong cycle can exploit.
c) if there is a weakness in the garment then a washing machine will eventually find it and it will get worse. So the initial damage may be random but it will just keep getting bigger and bigger.
PS – if you consistantly fold tee-shirts in the same place you can weaken the fabric and holes may start to appear on the fold lines – think of how shirt collars start to go through rubbing – it’s the same thing.
Also, ironing can expediate weakening and most iron manufacturers will not recommend fagranced water for steam irons for the same reason (and it can mess up your iron)
Just been given a great tip on how to check if it’s your drum snagging your clothes – take an old pair of tights and rub them round the inside of the drum – if they snag – then you have a problem with your drum.
L
For the past few years only, every shirt I buy ends up with holes in the very same spot. It is at the bottom of my shirts and I thought they were snagging on my zipper but it happens to shirts that I wear with pull on pants also. I recently moved and have a new washer and it happened with the old washer too. I had quartz counters in the old house and have laminate now. Still happens. I bought a t shirt the other day and it had the same series of about 5 small holes in the same spot within hours.
I have bought shirts from 3 or 4 different stores and it happens to all of them. It does not happen to any other member of my family. All of my shirts are hung in the same closet where my husband’s clothes are. None of his are affected. I am going nuts with this ridiculous mystery!
Paula, as it only happens to your things then maybe your clothes are coming into contact with a product you are using perhaps for cleaning. I wrote about this in November. If you do not already protect your clothes when involved in chores at home, work or even the garden then try wearing protective clothing and see if that makes any difference. Good luck.
I am experiencing holes in my socks (socks only) after one wash and I just went and bought a $10 pair of socks but the same thing happened, and only after one wash. We have a new washing machine and dryer, what can I do? the fuzzy stuff inside the socks just falls apart and leaves the see through netting material on the bottom of my socks and if you pull at this netting , it rips very easily. The sock is done after only one wash, any advise on this?
Dan: What are the socks made of and are there any washing instructions with them?