How can I stop getting tiny holes in my t-shirts near my belly button?

[Anonymous]

http://www.today.com/style/why-do-t-shirts-get-those-annoying-little-holes-they-t98391

[Anonymous]

The worst tees are they really thin ones from the Loft. Awful. I know only buy thicker tees.

[Anonymous]

This is the bane of my existence! but there is now a solution!! Google silicone button covers ladies, your life will change!! <3

[Anonymous]

I've got the small holes in tee shirt problem, too, and it's driving me crazy! It's not my washing machine. It's only "my" shirts that get holes, not my husbands, and only the area of my shirts at or below my belly button. Unless the washing machine is possessed, it wouldn't be so selective with distributing holes.

It's not just shirts made in Vietnam, although all the shirts with holes were made outside of the U.S., some in China, some in Jordan, some in other places. The shirts are all a cotton blend or 100% cotton, and one of the shirts is a fairly heavy cotton. I have purchased these from various stores, such as Academy, Macy's, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and online through Lands End.

I honestly don't think it's my countertop or seatbelt because the holes don't appear to be the type that were caused by a snag on something abrasive catching or rubbing the fabric. They look like insect eaten holes that start on the inside of the shirt instead of the outside.

Some shirts have several holes, but it typically begins with one or two tiny holes. ALL of them are located in the lower half of the front of my tee shirts--not one hole anywhere else. That is the weirdest part about it.

I had an exterminator out who told me it could be insects, such as silverfish in the carpet. I've treated the carpet in my closet several times. I bought DEKKO silverfish packs and placed them everywhere as the exterminator suggested. Then I moved all my tee shirts to a chest of drawers and added a few DEKKO packs to the drawers. They still got holes. Then I suspected that an "infected" shirt was moved from closet to drawers, so I've taken everything out of the drawers, thrown away the shirts with the most holes, washed every remaining shirt and plan to pack all the shirts in zip lock plastic bags to see what happens next.

I found some weird article online that suggests that there is an "oil" that is emitted from belly buttons that attracts certain types of insects or larvae, and it's typically women's belly buttons instead of men's. Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me!

Thank goodness the weather is changing because my sweaters and heavier clothing all seems to be fine. Maybe the little rascals will die off before next summer if I can suffocate them in the plastic bags.

[Anonymous]

If you cook on a gas range, check to see if the holes are at the level of the burners. I believe the scents they use in gas nowadays builds up on the burner and gets ejected in tiny amounts, causing tiny burn holes that increas in size after washing.

[Anonymous]

It is probably your gas range cooktop. Verify the burner height with your holes. Complain to the gas company so they will STOP using whatever scents are building up on our burners and causing these tiny burn holes that increase to noticeable size after washing.

[Anonymous]

I get holes in my PJ tops as well. So, for me, it can't be my belt buckle or button on my jeans. I've had laproscopic surgery, where my gall bladder was taken out through my belly button. I wonder if that is the culprit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you cook on a gas range, check to see if the holes are at the level of the burners. I believe the scents they use in gas nowadays builds up on the burner and gets ejected in tiny amounts, causing tiny burn holes that increas in size after washing.

This happens to my T-shirts and I don’t have a gas range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The worst tees are they really thin ones from the Loft. Awful. I know only buy thicker tees.

I bought two seemingly great t shirts from LOFT last summer.
They both had tiny holes all over within 5 wearings. I'm not tough on my clothes. It's ridiculous.

My husband wears a lot of GAP t shirts and the same thing has happened to him.

Even my Vineyard Vines long sleeve t shirt has small holes in it after a few wearings

[Anonymous]

It’s the granite countertops.

[Anonymous]

This mystery has been unresolved for several years now. Can we pose the question to a textiles expert? This is a very frustrating problem for many women.

Let's also hear from women who haven't gotten holes? What shirts are you wearing? Tell us about your life so can discern what we are doing differently.

[Anonymous]

We moved into a new home in July 1917 and have quartz countertops. These are the culprits for all the holes that I have in my tops. It has nothing to do with the fabrics, but the countertops themselves. It is so frustrating because I have ruined more tops that you can possibly imagine. I thought it was my car seatbelt, but it still occurred after my using a small towel under the seat buckle. It was then that I discovered it was the countertops. When I wear an apron, I do not get these holes on thinner fabrics or larger white looking marks on heavier tops. I do find it difficult to remember to wear an apron at all times, but surely if I don't I get the small holes. I do have a gas range, but don't notice any damage to my clothes. It is only when I spend time at the sink hand washing items.

[Anonymous]

I always assumed it was moths! The holes are near the fold lines when my shirts are stored in the closet on a shelf, so it's easy access for moths. I get them on thin wool too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved into a new home in July 1917 and have quartz countertops. These are the culprits for all the holes that I have in my tops. It has nothing to do with the fabrics, but the countertops themselves. It is so frustrating because I have ruined more tops that you can possibly imagine. I thought it was my car seatbelt, but it still occurred after my using a small towel under the seat buckle. It was then that I discovered it was the countertops. When I wear an apron, I do not get these holes on thinner fabrics or larger white looking marks on heavier tops. I do find it difficult to remember to wear an apron at all times, but surely if I don't I get the small holes. I do have a gas range, but don't notice any damage to my clothes. It is only when I spend time at the sink hand washing items.

Why granite?

[Anonymous]

This happened to me for years. I suspected a specific belt but I liked it so much I didn't want to stop using it. Then I finally caved and got rid of the belt - no more holes!