Shirts with Holes - New theories? - Metal buttons?

[justasque]

OK, this is part of the ongoing "shirts with holes in the belly area" scientific Hive investigation.

 

Background: Some people get little holes in their shirts, in the belly area. Often one person in a household gets them and another doesn't. This is a new-ish phenomenon; no one got these holes years ago. Through careful research (a.k.a. surveying the Hive), we've ruled out:

~ Moths or other bugs, because 1) the holes are only in one spot, and 2) we are all amazing housekeepers ;)

~ Top loaders vs. front loaders, because folks with both kinds get the holes

~ Granite vs. other countertops, because folks with both kinds get the holes

~ Height of the wearer, because there's no obvious trend there

~ Weight of the wearer, ditto

~ Gender of the wearer, as we've had reports of hubbys having the issue

~ Getting caught in a zipper, because it's not consistently reported

 

I'm convinced that there is some kind of chemical element, because the holes seem to appear after washing. (I've had experience with known chemical exposure, where the fabric looked fine until it came out of the wash with holes where the chemical splattered.) I think the thin t's we get nowadays don't help, and it's possible that the chemical/pH makeup of the t's has changed.

 

So - new question/poll:

 

If you get the holes, do you typically wear garments with a metal snap/button at the waist, with your t's untucked? Is that location where you get the holes? I'm thinking it could be rubbing (especially when wearing seatbelts), and/or some kind of chemical issue with the button itself. (Another theory would be that there is something on the seatbelt that's doing the rubbing/reacting, but I'll leave that for the next poll.)

[JustGin]

I do get the holes, and wear jeans 95% of the time, so metal buttons. But I'm pretty sure my holes come from having granite counter tops right at waist level. Every since I started being careful to not lean against the counter when I'm working, my hole problem has diminished considerably.

[justasque]

I do get the holes, and wear jeans 95% of the time, so metal buttons. But I'm pretty sure my holes come from having granite counter tops right at waist level. Every since I started being careful to not lean against the counter when I'm working, my hole problem has diminished considerably.

 

I'm wondering whether it is maybe the combination of the metal button, and rubbing due to seatbelts, counter-leaning, etc. So perhaps the chemical makeup of the metal button (which might be part of what's changed?) would be the constant, and rubbing from counters and/or seatbelts would vary depending on the person. The rubbing part could be abrasive, plus could encourage chemicals from the button to get onto the shirt.

[danybug]

I get a ton of the holes and I rarely wear pants with metal buttons. I mostly wear yoga pants and capris. I also do not do a ton of driving. I am not convinced that seat belts are involved. But then again I am not sure what it is. My best guess is that all my counters rub against my shirt in that location and is wearing it down and the thin fabric is making the holes. Whatever it is it is not cool :glare:

[Guest mssusankoo]

It seems little tiny holes are appearing in all soft cotton type fabric. This has been going on for 4 years and everyone initially thought that it was their detergent, washing machine or that they pulled the fabric somehow. It turns out that it's defective fabric used to make these clothes.

 

After 4 years of throwing money away, I am starting to return all items or go back to the manufacturers to resolve these issues. Shirts made from this fabric last 2-6 months at max if worn a couple of times a month. I started to return all the shirts made from this defective fabric in the last few months. Neiman's, Nordstom, Gap, Barney's have all acknowledged this problem when I returned these shirts. Saks Fifth Ave still won't admit this problem exists and said they are looking into it and did not issue me a credit.

 

Bring it back to the retailer/manufacturer!!! They need to stop using this fabric!

[Pawz4me]

I've gotten holes for many years, and I've never been able to figure out why. They've occurred while living in two different houses with different types of counter tops, and when we had a top loader and a front loader. It doesn't happen to anybody else in the family.

[CalicoKat]

OK, this is part of the ongoing "shirts with holes in the belly area" scientific Hive investigation.

 

Background: Some people get little holes in their shirts, in the belly area. Often one person in a household gets them and another doesn't. This is a new-ish phenomenon; no one got these holes years ago. Through careful research (a.k.a. surveying the Hive), we've ruled out:

~ Moths or other bugs, because 1) the holes are only in one spot, and 2) we are all amazing housekeepers ;)

~ Top loaders vs. front loaders, because folks with both kinds get the holes

~ Granite vs. other countertops, because folks with both kinds get the holes

~ Height of the wearer, because there's no obvious trend there

~ Weight of the wearer, ditto

~ Gender of the wearer, as we've had reports of hubbys having the issue

~ Getting caught in a zipper, because it's not consistently reported

 

I'm convinced that there is some kind of chemical element, because the holes seem to appear after washing. (I've had experience with known chemical exposure, where the fabric looked fine until it came out of the wash with holes where the chemical splattered.) I think the thin t's we get nowadays don't help, and it's possible that the chemical/pH makeup of the t's has changed.

 

So - new question/poll:

 

If you get the holes, do you typically wear garments with a metal snap/button at the waist, with your t's untucked? Is that location where you get the holes? I'm thinking it could be rubbing (especially when wearing seatbelts), and/or some kind of chemical issue with the button itself. (Another theory would be that there is something on the seatbelt that's doing the rubbing/reacting, but I'll leave that for the next poll.)

Chemical element theory is interesting. Maybe it has to to do antibacterial soap mixing with the laundry detergent. We all wash our hands and check our zippers twice before we leave the bathroom. Residue on our hands post washing gets on the shirt in that area?

 

Long shot but I'd love to know the answer to this mystery too.

[mchel210]

Im starting to use belts to see if that helps!!! I would have sworn it was my counters...till it happened out of the house with my new shirt. Now I think it is the zipper rubbing ...or the button. I have to cover those up with something!!

[Dory]

I have never gotten holes there and I wear jeans most the time or dress pants and all my pants have metal buttons. My dh has gotten that hole at the belly a few times, I always thought it was because he tucks his shirts in and I don't.

[jujsky]

It seems little tiny holes are appearing in all soft cotton type fabric. This has been going on for 4 years and everyone initially thought that it was their detergent, washing machine or that they pulled the fabric somehow. It turns out that it's defective fabric used to make these clothes.

 

After 4 years of throwing money away, I am starting to return all items or go back to the manufacturers to resolve these issues. Shirts made from this fabric last 2-6 months at max if worn a couple of times a month. I started to return all the shirts made from this defective fabric in the last few months. Neiman's, Nordstom, Gap, Barney's have all acknowledged this problem when I returned these shirts. Saks Fifth Ave still won't admit this problem exists and said they are looking into it and did not issue me a credit.

 

Bring it back to the retailer/manufacturer!!! They need to stop using this fabric!

 

THey'll really take it back months later? I have this problem with ALL my cotton shirts. I don't have this problem with any other fabrid.

[EKS]

I used to get the holes when I worked in a chemistry lab. The theory was that acid on the counter top was causing them. This was confirmed to some extent by the fact that only cotton was affected and polyester thread was not (this is a characteristic of acid). Also I caught a hole in the act of forming--it started by a bleaching of the fabric then after washing the hole was there. After I started wearing a lab coat routinely, I never got a hole again.

 

I had a friend who I am certain did not work or have access to a chemistry lab. He had holes in the belly area in all his shirts. He claimed they were there to let out his will. So there you go.

[Caraway]

Im starting to use belts to see if that helps!!! I would have sworn it was my counters...till it happened out of the house with my new shirt. Now I think it is the zipper rubbing ...or the button. I have to cover those up with something!!

 

And here I thought my belt was causing them!

[Ellyndria]

I've been getting the holes the past few years. I tend to wear jeans a lot, so yes there are metal buttons. I also don't lean against the countertops. I always just thought it was friction from my jeans in that area combined with the thinness of the shirts... there are rough/hard corners there, the waistband rolls down, my shirt gets caught/stretched, I have to rearrange everything when I stand up, etc.

[redsquirrel]

I've never had a hole in any shirt, or anyone in the family. I generally wear jeans, and my dh wears khakis . I also lean against my counters when I cook. I have stains across my shirt from the leaning but no holes. I have a front load washer and always use 'free' type detergent and no fabric softener.

[SunieDawn]

I am excited about this post (sad, I know). I was just having this discussion with my husband. He was bored out of his mind, but I was genuinely curious.

 

I get small holes in some of my cotton shirts (just a few). The holes are always little and at my belly. I do wear jeans with metal buttons daily. I am not exposed to chemicals except around the house.

 

What could possibly be causing these? It is driving me crazy. I am the only family member who gets them.

[Donna]

I am excited about this post (sad, I know). I was just having this discussion with my husband. He was bored out of his mind, but I was genuinely curious.

 

I get small holes in some of my cotton shirts (just a few). The holes are always little and at my belly. I do wear jeans with metal buttons daily. I am not exposed to chemicals except around the house.

 

What could possibly be causing these? It is driving me crazy. I am the only family member who gets them.

 

My sister and I were complaining to each other about the same thing...both of us get them. I wear jeans nearly everyday with untucked shirt and I lean against the counter when doing dishes. It seems to happen with cotton shirts no matter what brand.

 

I have also noticed that in recent years shirts are so "see through." I almost always have to wear a cami when wearing a lighter color tee. The fabric is so thin.

[Claire in NM]

Most of my cotton shirts have these mysterious little holes and I thought it was because I had to start wearing a belt. (BTW, I gave up on the belt and I now gather the waist with a safety pin.)

 

Based on the posts, I'm guessing it's a combination of leaning against the kitchen counter and the inferior cotton. I think manufacturers are using more of the inferior cotton because the cost of cotton has gone up. You no longer can find 100% cotton sweatshirts, hoodies, socks, etc. I am willing to spend a bit more just to get some quality tees.

 

I guess I'm really not imagining things after all.

 

Claire in NM

[Rebel Yell]

Mine happen right where my belt buckle rubs my shirt between itself and the kitchen counter. I only have holes in shirts that I wear over belted jeans.

[SnowWhite]

I voted for my husband. He wears metal waist buttons and is frequently driving wearing a seatbelt. I think you're onto something.

 

Do you think the holes are begun prior to washing, but unnoticed in the "shed the shirt overhead peel of exhaustion" and then they ravel and fray and grow in the washer?

[Mom in High Heels]

Mine happen right where my belt buckle rubs my shirt between itself and the kitchen counter. I only have holes in shirts that I wear over belted jeans.

 

 

This is what I think. So many of my shirts had 2 teeny little holes in them and my belts all had two...what are they called? the little thing that goes through the hole, one on top of the other. I found an "invisible" belt on Amazon, that has the added bonus of NOT adding that weird belt bulk where the buckle is, and I have not had any holes since I started wearing it. Yay.

[GailV]

I never got them until y'all started talking about them all the time. As a matter of fact, it was probably last spring, about the time this thread started. :blink: What's up with that?

[Lacie]

I wear a metal clamp closure belt. I think that this causes some of my holes.