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Why Small Holes Appear in T-Shirts

Small holes in T-shirts are often blamed on the washing machine, but they’re more commonly caused by wear, fabric quality, or friction. Thin fabrics are especially vulnerable: rubbing against a belt buckle, jacket, handbag, or other surface can weaken the fibers before washing. Washing may then loosen the weakened fibers, making holes more noticeable.

Common Causes and Prevention

• Friction and wear: Holes often appear around the navel or lower front, where shirts rub against belt buckles, other clothing, or nearby surfaces.
• Thin or low-quality fabric: Lightweight shirts wear through more easily. Compare fabric weight and thickness when shopping; a shirt’s transparency when held up to light can also be a clue.
• Overloaded washing machine: Crowded clothes rub against one another, increasing wear and pilling. Avoid overloading the drum.
• High spin speeds: These can push weakened fabric into drum openings and worsen existing damage.
• Foreign objects: A loose bra underwire, screw, or other sharp item can tear clothing. Check laundry before washing.
• Detergents and treatments: Too much detergent or aggressive stain removers, bleach, and hygiene rinses can damage fabric. Follow dosage instructions; the video advises using less rather than too much.
• Dryer heat and snags: Excessive heat may harm garments. If clothes are intact after washing but damaged after drying, inspect the dryer drum for rough spots or burrs.

How to Troubleshoot

1. Check whether the holes are present before washing. If they are, look for wear-related friction, especially around the front of the shirt.
2. If holes appear after washing, check for sharp objects in the load and inspect the washer drum.
3. To test the drum, gently wipe its surface with a cotton pad or pantyhose stretched over a finger. If fibers snag in one spot, there may be a burr. The speaker suggests smoothing it with very fine sandpaper.
4. If clothes are intact after washing but damaged after drying, inspect the dryer in the same way.
5. If both appliances are smooth and the clothes are intact before washing, fabric quality or ordinary wear may be the cause.

Mentioned

Denny, a service technician; a washing machine; a dryer; a cotton pad; pantyhose; fine sandpaper; belt buckles; bra underwires; stain removers; bleach; and hygiene rinse.