What’s Making Holes in Your Clothes? Causes and Easy Ways to Prevent Them

The fix: Run your hand along the agitator. Feel for rough spots, sharp edges, or loose screws. Sand down rough spots with fine-grit sandpaper. Tighten any loose screws. If the agitator is cracked or badly damaged, replace it (it’s usually inexpensive).

Pro tip: Switch to a front-loading washer or a top-loader without an agitator (impeller-style). These are much gentler on clothes.

2. The Dryer (Heat and Friction)
What it is: High heat and tumbling action can weaken fabric fibers over time.

How it causes holes: Repeated exposure to high heat makes fibers brittle. Friction from rubbing against other clothes (especially jeans with rivets or zippers) can wear thin spots into holes.

The pattern: Holes appear in high-friction areas (underarms, sides, bottom hems). They’re often accompanied by general thinning of the fabric.

The fix: Use lower heat settings. Remove clothes from the dryer while slightly damp. Dry delicate items on a drying rack. Zip zippers and fasten Velcro before drying (to prevent snagging).