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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I have been getting holes in the front of my cotton t-shirts
in the crotch area, about five inches above the bottom of the shirt, for as long as I can remember. This ONLY happens with cotton t-shirts. Some of the
explanations offered seem to make sense, but then again they
typically don’t. It is surprising how many experience a similar phenomenon.
For me the holes tend to appear in the formation of a rectangle, sometimes
only one or two corners of it and sometimes all four, but always the same shape
and size of what appears to be an irregular rectangle about 2in across and
1in high. It’s very weird how it is always the same configuration. I have heard
seatbelt but I don’t drive and rarely find myself in a car, much less the same car,
more often than once or twice a week. And usually I leave my coat or
overshirt on in that situation.
I am thinking it has to be the inside of some pair of pants that I have,
as I often tuck in my undershirt and leave the overshirt out of the pants.
I notice that with shirts that I wear more frequently, usually all four holes
are present.
The other possibility is that my saxophone has a keyguard which
typically rests in that area during seated playing. However this
doesn’t explain the square formation. Still searching for the answer…
Tops only for me too, and around the waist. Have assumed to far it’s from rubbing against the edge of my granite worktops as have caught myself doing this. Assuming t-shirt type material as it’s thinner and the
In my case it can’t be beetle larvae from China (?!) as all my stuff is from Britain, Italy, or France. Unless they bought the cotton in from somewhere else…it’s just happening on cotton.
Washing machine is a Bosch and whilst shortly to be changed to a Miele (yay!), I don’t blame the machine.
Incidentally, when visiting a friend abroad who had an American style washer, I put in a cotton cardigan that had been washed many times on a usual cotton wash on my machine, but it came out of that machine practically shredded at the neckline and I had holes in a couple of other things – I think it was the spin.
I rent and repair washing machines. To date I have only had two complaints of holes in clothes. I tested both machines extensively, checking all possibilities and even exchanged one for a new one. We eventually discovered that the cause was moth larvae, which like to eat cotton rich clothing.
Further to my post re the clothes being eaten by larvae, one clue was that, when the fabric was placed on a flat surface, there was a hole – some of the fabric was missing, as opposed to a rip or tear which could have been pushed back together. There was also no sign of any fraying or distortion around the edges of the hole, as one would expect with a rip or a tear. On possible cause of small rips in the fabric could be a riser, or paddle, coming loose and trapping fabric between itself and the drum, although this is very rare, it’s worth checking them for movement. Many of these clip in and will slide a little, but you should no be able to pull them away from the drum. If you can, then a clip or locating lugg may be broken. This tends to happen more when training shoes are washed – don’t do it!
I too have holes in my t-shirts and tanks. I packed away 11 last year. we had our agitator replaced and the whole machine checked. Now I am starting to think it is not the washer but my clothes. It is always in front at waist level. What can we do about
it? I have bought cheap and expensive brands and it still happens, maybe slower on the thicker cotton. Is beetle or moth larvae invisible to the eye? I don’t see any moths or anything.
I have used all cycles on the washer so it is not that. I thought about going to the university’s ag. dept and asking them to investigate
I posted very early on the forum regarding this subject, I had begun to think I was going mad until I discovered I wasn’t the only one with this problem.
I eventually threw my 4 year old washing machine away in despair and bought a Miele, 1400 spin with honey comb drum, about a year ago. The only time I use 1400 spin is on towels, the rest of the time 1200 is sufficient. For years I had used tablets in the wash, but at this time I reverted back to using Persil powder.
Guess what? The last few weeks I have noticed it has started happening again! So far it is always on cotton t-shirts, but not restricted to the waist or the front. Several holes can appear on one top at a time,some minute and others enough to completely prevent them being worn again.
As has been said, the holes are clean and the material is completely missing, not a jagged rip or a tear. I am at my wits end with this, as others are. There MUST be an answer to it-but what it is I have no idea.
Jackie: thanks for revisiting this topic and for sharing your experience. The Miele honeycombed drum is reputed to be the most gentle on laundry available. Anyone interested in it can see that instead of having punched holes which are usually sharp at the other side of the drum it has a sculptured surface with quite small drilled holes. Miele say that because of the way the drum is designed during washing there is a thin film of water created between the laundry and the drum which cushions the laundry. I also know from experience that my own Miele washing machine does not leave the laundry stuck to the sides after spinning, whereas normal washing machines force the laundry (especially towels) through the holes during spin.
I think it is unlikely that your problem is caused by the washing machine.
Kevin posted a comment earlier regarding some larvae eating the laundry. He described how the material disappeared, which of course would be conducive to having been eaten away. Laundry damaged in a washing machine should have tears and cuts and not have smooth round holes with most of the material “eaten” away.
I hope someone can relay their experience on how to detect for sure, or how to at least get rid of any insect infestation that could be eating cotton clothing. Maybe there’s a case for trying some old fashioned moth balls?
As you say, the Miele drum is very kind to laundry and it falls away from the sides of the drum at the end of a wash cycle instead of being forced into the holes and needs to be pulled out. That is the main reason I bought the Miele after my experiences previously with damaged laundry.
I too feel it is unlikely the machine is causing the problem. But having worn a t-shirt one day with no holes, then it goes in for a wash-and as I am ironing it I find holes, just doesn’t make sense.
I have dozens of cotton t-shirts hanging in my wardrobe, some only worn on holidays. Today I have taken them all out and examined them carefully, apart from ones recently damaged there are no holes at all in any of the others???
Read your posts re moths and don’t feel that is the cause either, in my circumstances anyway. Very fastidious about cleaning, have no pets and feel lots of other items would show damage if they were present in my home.
One thing that has struck me though is……I have a natural wicker laundry basket that is kept in my bathroom. Obvious access via the weave for any munch-bunch insects to get in, between wearing and washing clothes. I wonder if we could do a survey amongst any of the other posters and see if we have this in common? Actually, I would think ALL laundry baskets have some sort of ventilation holes which would be accessible-maybe that is the answer we are all looking for????
I have experience holes in my Levis after washing. It doesn’t happen a lot, but just when they are getting “broken in” and looking good and feeling comfortable. It happens both with zippered and button-fly. I have a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II, large capacity machine. This was not an expensive washer, all I wanted was a good quality standard washer without all the bells and whistles. My latest theory, is that when I occassionally leave a few coins in the pocket, they could be rubbing holes in the denim.There are never holes in the pockets themselves, but I always find the quarters in the bottom of the washer, when the load is completed. Anyone else experience this?
I have had this exact same problem with small holes, mostly in the front of thin, sometimes nearly new cotton and cotton stretch t-shirts. I have a Miele washer with a honeycomb drum.
I had a pest control specialist take the garments to some expert who looked at the holes microscopically (holes are the type where fabric is missing) and said that the holes were definitely not from moths or other bugs but from something mechanical weakening a thread in the fabric which then leads to a hole. It cannot be from a belt as my 7 year old’s t-shirts have them and he has never worn a belt.
That is as far as I have gotten in solving the mystery. New holes reappearing daily. Surely SOMEONE knows the cause ?