You’re excited to put your favorite shirt on only to find mysterious holes in it. You’re surely asking, why are there holes in my clothes that weren’t there before?
From time to time, we may snag our shirts on sharp objects, which can cause holes. But if you don’t have any memory of damaging your shirt, something else might be responsible for the fashion-ruining damage.
Below, we discussed the potential culprits behind the random holes in your clothes. Read on and see which one might be to blame with yours:
Why are there holes in my clothes?
If you’re wondering where the holes in your clothes are coming from, the following might be the culprits:
1. Very high spin cycles on the washing machine
Your method of washing and drying your clothes might be the reason behind the holes. A spin cycle speed that’s too high will put too much stress on the fabric, which can lead to holes all over.
Take note that the spin cycle when washing clothes should always be based on the material. For example, if you’re washing jeans, the maximum speed cycle should be 900 revolutions per minute (RPM). For cotton shirts and clothes, the cycle is slower at 600 RPM.
Spinning the clothes faster than the recommended speed will start to pull the fabric in all directions. Over time, this can create tiny holes and rips as the fibers get worn out.
Take note that thin fabrics are more likely to suffer from holes in just a single spin cycle. You should consider taking it easy when setting your preferred speed to stretch the lifespan of your clothes.
2. Low-quality fabric
Most cases of T-shirt holes are due to poor fabric quality. Cheap shirts are often made of thin fibers that have been aggressively dyed. The process of dyeing and bleaching will make the fabric fibers weak, thus susceptible to holes and rips.
If you wash these fabrics on a very high spin cycle, they will easily become damaged. Even hand-washing can damage brittle clothing fabrics.
If you want clothes that last long, you should invest in quality pieces. Try pulling the fabric slightly before purchasing the item to see how well it holds up. You may want to avoid very stretchy materials as these are notorious for hard-to-repair holes (leggings!). Aside from that, you should rub the fabric and see if it gets linty easily.
3. Regular wear and tear
Clothes aren’t made to last forever. After wearing and washing it for years, shirts, pants, shorts, and whatnots will sustain damages due to wear and tear. You may notice holes forming until it becomes large rips.
T-shirts worn on a regular basis can last for up to a year before showing signs of wear and tear. On the other hand, pieces that are only worn occasionally can last for years. Still, proper storage is necessary, so that it won’t be targeted by insects.
Overall, if your favorite shirt lasted for five years, you’re lucky. That means the material is durable enough to put up with wear and tear.
4. Washing with bra underwires
Did you lose an underwire bra recently and your clothes start to develop holes? If so, you should look for the wire on your washing machine.
These thin wires can slide off the bra and get caught underneath the washer drum. When you wash clothes again, the bra wire will protrude from the washer drum holes and poke holes in the fabrics.
It’s also possible that the wire has a tip poking out of the bra before washing. As it cycles with other clothes, the wire will poke holes in soft fabrics like cotton and wool.
With this, you should always put your bras in a durable wash bag. This will prevent the underwire bra from getting lost in the washer while keeping the cup shape intact.
5. Wearing accessories with rough or pointed edges
Belts with metal parts, bracelets with pointy adornments, and necklaces with rough edges can poke holes in your clothes without you noticing it.
Always look for rough edges before putting on accessories and embellishments that will be in contact with your clothes. If you find one, use a nail file to dull out the edges.
6. Moth bites and other hungry insects
This may come as a surprise, but yes, moths can bite through your clothes and cause mysterious holes. Moth larvae consume both blended and synthetic fabrics as a food source. While they can raid your closet with clean clothes, they are particularly attracted to pieces stained with food or soaked in sweat.
Take note that adult moths with wings aren’t the ones that eat your clothes. However, they do lay eggs on the fabric. These eggs will hatch into larvae, which is the one responsible for the holes.
If you haven’t checked your closet or have a drawer with untouched clothes, moth larva can easily thrive. Before you know it, your shirts are almost eaten up and you have a chockfull of moths in your room.
7. Rat bites
Lastly, you should also rule out the possibility of rats munching in on your clothes. Like moths, rats can also feed on your clothes. They will consume anything that comes their way: newspapers, confidential files, stored fabrics, untouched clothes inside a closet, slippers, and more.
Take note that once rats are starting to chew your clothes, it’s possible that it already gnawed something else in your house. It’s important to address this as rats don’t live alone.
How to prevent your clothes from getting holes
Holes in your clothes are easily avoidable with the right approach. Here are some of the steps that will help:
1. Place a bar of soap inside your closet
If moths are attacking your closet, a bar of aromatic soap will be a great deterrent. Lavender is also an excellent choice, not to mention that it will make your closet smell like spring.
This works because moths are sensitive to various odors. If you don’t like the idea of putting a bar of soap in your closet, you can mix a bag of herbs instead. Place crushed thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and clove in a mesh pouch then hang it inside your closet. Moths are specifically repulsed by these odors.
2. Wash your clothes gently
Using a gentler spin cycle will help prevent holes in your clothes. This will also slow down fading while extending the lifespan of the fabric.
The good thing is that manufacturers always put washing instructions on their clothing pieces. Always follow this or, if possible, use a slower one once the piece is already old.
If possible, consider air-drying your clothes, so you don’t need to subject them to abrasive spin cycles. Air-drying during summer will also help you save money on electricity bills.
3. Tuck in your top
If you suspect that your belts or the metal hardware on your jeans are causing the holes in your shirt, tucking it in is the quick solution. You can also do a half-tuck if you want to keep it fashionable.
This way, the hem of your top won’t get snagged on belt buckles or any rough edges on your pants’ fly.
4. Wash soft clothes separately
If your shirts and leggings always get holes in the laundry, you should consider washing them separately from pants and shorts. It’s because the metal embellishments and zippers of your bottom wear might be poking holes in softer fabrics.
Aside from that, try to avoid washing your underwired bra with soft shirts. This is to prevent the thin wire from causing damage to the material.
Final words
Why are there holes in my clothes? This can be anything from improper washing, regular wear, and tear, poor fabric quality, rat bites, or the presence of moths. Most of these are preventable by being more mindful of your clothes’ upkeep.