Holey T shirts!

Its definitely not belts.
You either have moth larvae, or carpet beetle larvae. They go for the area around the neck line, under arms, or belly button area due to the pheromones we give off.

rocketstop

You all mention 'Moths' and rule that out as a cause which is good because I always thought moths only went for wool type clothing and not cotton in t shirts.

Ugh I've just googled it and done an image search, they certainly WILL eat cotton , just that they PREFER wool and silk first !!

They will have go at any fabric

An old post but weirdly I was reminiscing with my son last night about these sort of holes which used to appear in the same place. He just laughed and says it would be moths.
I said originally I had thought it was my new washing machine and ended up (long story) posting a parcel of these clothes to the manufacturer of the machine. I never received a reply (and I must confess to being very stressed at the time). I often wonder at the look on their faces when the parcel was opened. 😂😂😂🫣

OLD THREAD.
Reported post reviving it.

I think it is a combination of thinner fabric on tee shirts and cheaper zips in jeans. My cheaper tees get holes much quicker than the expensive ones!

Reported

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I don't have granite worktops. I still believe it's the pullers on the zips of our trousers, which are at waist height.

I also have this problem - cheap t-shirts, expensive t-shirts, t-shirts I never wear in the car (seatbelt etc) also I don’t cook so never have the problem of standing over the island prepping etc.

I do have a granite island and worktops but as I’m only 5ft tall my stomach comes below the worktop and the holes are well below that.

It’s a mystery! And an expensive one!

This is really weird. Two of my favourite but older tee shirts both have holes in exactly the same place you describe Sealady. When I went to put them on this summer there they were. I wondered about moths as they are all cotton. No new work tops. Only those T shirts - so far. New pair of jeans so perhaps it’s them. Interesting post.

Ziplok

I have the same problem. It didn’t used to happen but in the last decade or so, it’s very common, which makes me discount the idea of zips and buttons on jeans and trousers being the culprit, as I’ve worn jeans and trousers for years. I wonder if it’s more to do with the quality of the cotton used and the manufacturing process?

Yep.

So called present day cotton tee shirt fabric just seens to get thinner. and thinner. Cheap and poor quality

Also l think the weaving proceess is based around one continuous thread?

Maybe it is my granite works tops . We had a new kitchen extension and a larger worktop area . Plus an island all with granite worktops . This was about 8 years ago and the height is about level with my belly button .

I've had this problem for years, it's put me off buying expensive tops of any sort, even jumpers go thin around that area. I bought some silicone 'tops' that fit on top of your jeans button, didn't help and was a nuisance if you needed the loo quickly! I don't think it's my stone worktops but if anyone comes up with any idea I'd be so grateful. I did iron interfacing on the inside of new garments, that didn't work as it peeled off.

Moths will go for cotton, Eloethan.
There seem to be more of those tiny moths around in the past two or three years.

We haven't got a granite worktop and all my t-shirts have this problem - and not necessarily in the area described. I wondered if it was the washing machine or the clothes washing liquid - and we do get moths but do they go for cotton?

Holey tee shirts
Embrace them. People pay a fortune for clothes with holes in these days!

You all mention 'Moths' and rule that out as a cause which is good because I always thought moths only went for wool type clothing and not cotton in t shirts.

Ugh I've just googled it and done an image search, they certainly WILL eat cotton , just that they PREFER wool and silk first !!

FranP

Never happens to me, but I do not share a wardrobe. However, hubby is really obsessive about using Milton to clean the sink and worktop (even if I have already done it). There are spatters of discolour and small holes on HIS polo shirts

Our grandmothers had it right with their wearing of aprons!

Can't say I have ever noticed this happen, but I keep my t-shirts folded in a drawer, rather than hanging up. Maybe try this with any new ones?

Never happens to me, but I do not share a wardrobe. However, hubby is really obsessive about using Milton to clean the sink and worktop (even if I have already done it). There are spatters of discolour and small holes on HIS polo shirts

holebuttoncover.com/

I had the same problem. Then I found these. Seem to work. With my fumble fingers they are difficult to put on. May solve your problem.

Sorry. "Bit OF sewing

Sealady

Hmm. More likely zip from tummy than housework! Although my zips seem fairly tucked away I will investigate. Car seat belt maybe, but why now? Been driving for years and years! Maybe a zip/seat belt combo!

Try threading some narrow ribbon through the zip pull thing, keeping going until there no 'rough' bits to be felt. You may need to secure it with a bit if sewing.

OMG,having read all of the comments on this subject I think you are correct as the holes in my T shirts,fine jumpers coincide with the fact that I had a new kitchen with granite worktops( and I have just looked and low and behold they have got a chiseled edge...mystery solved.xx

Sealady

Curlywhirly, he does all the cooking, I can't use that as a reason!

Oh no! That's that theory out the window!
I'm just 5' tall, do all the cooking/washing up (husband is completely ruined!) and I don't have the problem. My son, an amazing cook, does all the cooking and many of his t shirts suffer from thoese holes, his partner's don't! Maybe it all depends on your height and whether the zip/button on jeans/trousers is level with kitchen worktops?