I’m losing my mind!!! What is causing these holes in my clothes? Some are tiny, while others are much bigger. They keep appearing on more and more of my clothes. 😱😱😱

Are washing machines responsible for small holes in clothes?
They can contribute if fabric catches on rough or damaged components, or if garments are repeatedly washed with sharp fasteners. Checking the machine and adjusting laundry habits can help.

Do moths eat holes in clothes?
Moth larvae—not adult moths—are responsible for damaging many animal-fiber textiles. However, not every clothing hole is caused by moths.

Can a dryer damage clothes?
Yes. Heat and repeated tumbling can contribute to fabric wear, especially when garments are dried more aggressively than their care instructions recommend.

How can I make my clothes last longer?
Reduce friction, wash garments according to their care labels, protect delicate items, avoid overloading the washer, and repair small problems before they become larger ones.

The Bottom Line
Finding tiny holes in your favorite clothes doesn’t automatically mean you’ve got moths.

Friction, laundry equipment, fasteners, rough surfaces, heat, and fabric pests can all play a role.

The most useful clue is often the location and pattern of the damage. If several shirts develop small holes in the same spot, look at what that part of the fabric repeatedly touches. If damage is appearing on stored natural-fiber clothing, investigate the possibility of fabric pests.

Once you identify the source, prevention becomes much easier.

And sometimes the solution really is as simple as wearing an apron, changing how you wash your clothes, or moving a shirt away from the edge of the kitchen counter.