Most of us have dealt with it at some point—you pull out your favorite shirt or dress, and there it is: a small, mysterious hole right where you least want it. It’s frustrating, and more often than not, it feels like these little rips come out of nowhere. Unless you’re lucky enough to constantly refresh your wardrobe, rewearing clothes until they’re practically falling apart means you’ve likely faced this problem before.
It may seem minor, but discovering holes in your clothing can be pretty irritating. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve reached for a t-shirt only to find those pesky little holes staring back at me. And then comes the choice—wear it and hope no one notices, or toss it out and accept that it’s time to let it go. More often than not, I go with the latter. Eventually, I got curious enough to start looking into why this keeps happening and what can be done about it.
It turns out that there’s more than one reason holes might show up in your clothes. Moths are the usual suspects, but they’re not always to blame. Everyday wear and tear, accidental snags, or brushing against rough surfaces can all be guilty too. Things like zippers, belts, seatbelts, and even the rough edges of countertops or tables can wear down fabric, especially over time.
Interestingly, if you often notice holes near the belly area of your shirts, it might be caused by your belt buckle. It’s more common than you’d think. While skipping the belt altogether might be one way to avoid it, not everyone has that option. You could try shifting the position of your belt slightly or even sanding down any sharp edges to make them less damaging to your clothes.
Your laundry routine could also be part of the problem. Overloading your washing machine doesn’t just make your clothes less clean—it can also lead to unnecessary friction and fabric stress, which causes holes to appear. And if you’re washing garments with buttons, beads, or embellishments, turning them inside out before washing can protect both the item and everything else in the load.
Chlorine bleach is another hidden danger. Though it’s useful for getting whites whiter, using too much or using it too often can weaken fabric fibers and eventually create small holes.
And of course, there are the obvious dangers—rough walls, sharp corners, and stray nails or screws poking out from brick, stone, or furniture. These things can grab your clothing in an instant, and sometimes, you won’t even notice until later.
So, if you’re constantly finding unexplained holes in your clothes, you’re not alone. It’s more common than people think, but a few small changes—like adjusting your laundry habits or being mindful of surfaces—can help your clothes last longer. Have you ever dealt with this wardrobe mystery? Let us know what you’ve discovered.
