Shirts with Holes - Granite Countertops?

[justasque]

New theory:

 

I don't get the holes; my countertops are Formica.

My sister gets the holes; her countertops are granite.

 

What is your experience, Hive?

 

ETA: As discussed in several other threads, today and in the past, some women get tiny holes in their t-shirts in the belly area. Others don't seem to get these holes at all. It seems to have started in the past few years; older t-shirts don't get the holes.

No one seems to know what causes it. Previous discussions seem to have ruled out top loader vs. front loader washing machine, using chemicals (bleach) to wipe counters vs. using water, tucking in shirts vs. not tucking, and so on. This is an attempt to prove or disprove another theory - that the makeup of the counters against which one may be rubbing may have something to do with it, either through roughness or through some chemical process. See several other polls today to test out other theories.

Edited April 27, 2012 by askPauline

[black_midori]

I get holes in all of the shirts that I wear with jeans outside to the barn area. Nothing to do with granite, here! :)

[Wabi Sabi]

No granite, no holes here.

[justasque]

I get holes in all of the shirts that I wear with jeans outside to the barn area. Nothing to do with granite, here! :)

 

If that's your thesis, post a poll to see if the hive's experience agrees!

[houseofkids&pets]

We have granite here and no one has ever gotten a hole from the countertops. I have never heard of that before:001_huh:.

[mommaduck]

What holes are you talking about?

[justasque]

What holes are you talking about?

 

As discussed in several other threads, today and in the past, some women get tiny holes in their t-shirts in the belly area. No one seems to know what causes it. Previous discussions seem to have ruled out top loader vs. front loader washing machine, using chemicals (bleach) to wipe counters vs. using water, tucking in shirts vs. not tucking, and so on. This is an attempt to prove or disprove another theory - that the makeup of the counters against which one may be rubbing may have something to do with it, either through roughness or through some chemical process.

[KungFuPanda]

I voted No Granite No Holes, but then I wondered WHY your stomach is against your counters. Maybe I'm too short to get it, but I don't lean on my counters.

[AlmiraGulch]

I get the holes and my counters are granite. My sister gets the holes and her counters are not granite.

 

I always thought it's because of where we buy our shirts (we both buy them primarily at the same place).

[West Coast Mom]

I get the holes. My countertops are tile.

[Dandelion]

Granite here - no holes... :)

[DarlaS]

I get the holes. My counters are laminate.

[starwarsmomma]

My kitchen island is granite

My kitchen countertops are formica

My bathroom countertops are marble.

 

We only get pin holes on the shirts we buy at walmart or target. Others are fine, even after going through 5+ boys as hand-me-downs.

[Farrar]

I have two kinds of countertop in one kitchen!:willy_nilly: No wonder my shirts have so many belly holes! What was I thinking! Thank goodness the Hive has enlightened me!

 

:lol:

[Mynyel]

I get holes and I have Formica... I think. I just know it is cheap stuff. Not granite. I don't think the landlord would spring for granite in a double wide :P.

[cin]

I get holes. I have butcher block countertops.

[mommaduck]

I voted No Granite No Holes, but then I wondered WHY your stomach is against your counters. Maybe I'm too short to get it, but I don't lean on my counters.

:iagree: and I'm not short. I'm also not thin anymore. I have had one or two shirts with a couple of holes in the belly area, but I'm thinking it's more of crappy Walmart fabric and regular wear.

[Pink Fairy]

My 14yodd gets the holes, I don't. We are about the same height, and our counters are tile.

 

Mysterious...

[historically accurate]

I get the holes (no one else in the family does :glare:) and my counters are formica with tile edges.

[Amy in NH]

DH gets them at work: wooden workbenches.

[Guest]

My counters are granite and I have no idea what sort of holes you're speaking of. All the clothing in our household gets holes only from typical sources and only in typical places. I'm totally :confused:

 

I also don't rub up against my counters much.

[LaxMom]

I get the holes in some shirts but not others. Some of the shirts with holes are better quality (I would assume) than some of the ones without. I have a couple Lord & Taylor and Ann Taylor tops that have them, my ON and Gap ones typically don't, and I wear those more often.

 

We have laminate.

[Mama_Rana]

I don't get holes.

My bathroom counters are Silestone/quartz [bits of granite mixed with a resin]. Kitchen counters are not.

 

I'm stumped and dumb-founded.

[Lacie]

I think my problem is my belt, it clips together.

[tmulcahy]

I think my problem is my belt, it clips together.

 

I wanted to blame the little holes on a belt also but I get little holes in my work out shirts. When I work out I wear shorts or pants with elastic waistbands.... I can not figure it out.:confused:

[justasque]

Well, I think this poll clearly shows it has nothing to do with the type of countertop. (And about 70% of Hive folks don't have granite, which is kind of interesting.)

I was convinced it was somehow chemical, but I think on the last go-around we decided that kitchen counter cleansers weren't the culprit.

We've ruled out top loaders vs. front loaders, tucking in vs. wearing out, belts vs. no belts...

Several people have mentioned that they think brands make a difference. I don't know - the divide is so clear that some folks get them and some don't, and the location is so specific, which makes me think it is more about the person's habits, some kind of chemical involvement, or other environmental factors. Maybe another thread could investigate brand names...

[stripe]

I get holes in all sorts of stuff.

 

The last thing was a new pair of underwear, famous brand. It's also happened with a famous sports brand name shirt for my son, both after a single wear and wash.

[LaxMom]

Well, I think this poll clearly shows it has nothing to do with the type of countertop. (And about 70% of Hive folks don't have granite, which is kind of interesting.)

I was convinced it was somehow chemical, but I think on the last go-around we decided that kitchen counter cleansers weren't the culprit.

We've ruled out top loaders vs. front loaders, tucking in vs. wearing out, belts vs. no belts...

Several people have mentioned that they think brands make a difference. I don't know - the divide is so clear that some folks get them and some don't, and the location is so specific, which makes me think it is more about the person's habits, some kind of chemical involvement, or other environmental factors. Maybe another thread could investigate brand names...

That would be very interesting.

 

Here's another thing: the only place I would habitually belly up is at the sink. But it's an apron sink, so has smooth, rounded edges. There's no counter there.

 

As far as chemicals, we use non-toxic, mostly gray water compatible cleaners. I suppose it's possible that cleaners with enzymes in them could degrade cotton fibers if there is a habitual protein spot on the area, right? I don't think my cleaners are particularly enzymatic (I don't use BacOut, for instance), nor think I usually have a food spot around my navel...

 

The fabrics that get the holes, aside from being cotton knit, aren't similar, at least in weight or drape...

 

What about seatbelts? I wonder if the top of my lap belt hits a piece of shirt in that area. It's funny how common, yet mysterious this phenomenon seems to be.

 

Eta: my husband is wondering if the little doohickey piece of the seatbelt that keeps it from just dropping on the floor might be hitting when the belt is released. On him (5'11"), it hits his hip. On me (5'0") it may hit right in the hole spot. I'll check tomorrow... We have to get to the bottom of this! :D

Edited April 28, 2012 by MyCrazyHouse

[Paula in MS]

There is some speculation online that it could be seatbelts. You could be on to something there. Maybe the next poll should be what kind of car we drive.

[Melissa B]

I always assumed it was the zipper of my jeans. Maybe you could do a poll and see how many people with holes in their shirts also wear jeans or pants (or skirts) with zippers regularly. :)

[itsheresomewhere]

I have granite and have the holes but mine are in the book region. Always one side or in the back.

[Nature]

I've never had holes in my shirt, but a friend of mine always did. She said she kept getting her shirt cut in her zipper.

[KirstenH]

I have a couple of t-shirts with small holes. I'm quite sure that the washing machine did it to them. I have a front loader. Maybe that should be the next poll.

 

(As for the other polls: I'm 5'7", my kitchen counters are Corian and my bathroom counter is granite.)

[Barb_]

I'm convinced it's a combination of Tide (enzymes clean better, but harsher on fabric), certain front load washers (sharp drain holes), and delicate fabric.

 

Oh and my counters are granite, but I'm short and my belly doesn't come anywhere near the edge.

[staceyobu]

Interestingly, I am hugely pregnant now and have a hard time washing dishes because I have to lean over the sink. (More uncomfortable rubbing on the countertop.) But, none of my maternity shirts have gotten holes... and some have been worn tons through multiple pregnancies. I don't have a lot of maternity clothes.

 

I do get them in my regular shirts. I don't wear belts. I do wear pants with zippers when not pregnant and now none of my pants have zippers.

 

The seat belt idea is interesting as well. Maybe the belt is hitting me more across the lap while pregnant?

 

I've questioned moths and cheap shirts previously. I'm glad to see I'm not alone! I also thought it could be our old washing machine, but we now have a new front loader.

[dsmith]

I have little holes in some of my thinner t-shirts, right at my waistline in the front. They are from my dog, who likes to greet me by jumping up and putting his front paws there while wagging like crazy until he gets a scratch on the head. Bad doggy manners, but he's so cute when he does it.:001_smile:

[fourcatmom]

I get the tiny holes. I don't tuck in my shirt and I don't have granite. And, I don't have a dog. Really want to know where these come from? Nobody else in the house gets them, so I don't think it's laundry related.

[Barb_]

My holes are usually in the belly button area, but occasionally I will find one on the shoulder or elbow of a long sleeved shirt.

 

I'm thinking the main culprit is the crappy fabric that everyone is using (even the more expensive brands). Then any number of things can cause the holes to develop: seat belts, fabric stress from stretching, washing machine, countertops, etc.

 

I wonder if certain people are more acidic or something. I get them, my dad gets them, and my 17yo gets them. None of the rest of the kids get them and the 15yo does more in the kitchen than the 17yo. My husband gets them on occasion, mostly on his boxer briefs...but they are thinner than his t-shirts.

 

It's only been happening for the last 3-4 years. I'm willing to bet China has figured out how to weave cloth with tiny imperfections that are undetectable but open easily with stress. Planned obsolescence.

Edited April 28, 2012 by Barb F. PA in AZ

[swellmomma]

I get holes in my shirts and do not have granite. They are regular ugly countertops from the 70s.

[lcelmer]

small holes here... Plain smooth, formica countertops. AND it's not just belly area, but upper back as well for me.

 

 

I think it is just the insanely thin & wimpy fabric that passes for shirt material these days, combined with fabric that rubs against the oils in our skin on certain parts of our shirts more than others?

 

Kids don't get them because their shirts aren't; so close to the skin? Or maybe because they only wear their clothing for 1 season before it is outgrown.

Edited April 28, 2012 by lcelmer

[Donna]

My sister and I both get holes and have granite countertops but I got them before we moved into this house 2 years ago and had formica countertops then. We were thinking maybe it has something to do with the seatbelt in the car.

[Momma H]

I don't have time to read all the threads ! I really do think it is the countertop surface along with the height of the counters. We move a lot. In my house that had granite, total holes. Now I don't get them but I have formica and the height is higher. It is the button of your pants as you lean over, slide from side to side or rest by leaning on the counter. Just lean yourself against the counter and see where your button hits. You have probably gone back and forth on this 40 times but that is my theory and I have to get to the SHEM homeschool conference!

[delaney]

I do get holes and I have granite but upon close inspection of the counters there is no way that the counters are doing it. They are totally smooth. It has stopped happening since I began closing zippers on pants in the washer though so I think that was the cause.

[Haiku]

I don't get holes. My countertops are not granite.

 

Brushing your teeth causes gray hairs. The only time I find gray hairs is when I'm standing in front of the mirror, brushing my teeth.

 

Tara

[Scuff]

I think it's the fabric. I get holes in some shirts, but not others. I have 6 mos old shirts that look worse than shirts I've had for years. Wehave tile countertops, I have 10-20 lbs to loose (pre-pregnancy) and am 5,4".

 

Just to prove my point, i bought some LE shirts for my daughters 2 summers ago. They were brand new and the girls threw them on the floor in the laundry room, along with other things. Then the washtub overflowed and they got wet. When I washed them the new shirts turned to rags. Complete rags with huge holes in them. The other things were fine. Just from being wet on the basement floor. (which admittedly isn't the best way to treat your clothes)

Edited April 28, 2012 by Scuff

[AlmiraGulch]

I get the holes in some shirts but not others. Some of the shirts with holes are better quality (I would assume) than some of the ones without. I have a couple Lord & Taylor and Ann Taylor tops that have them, my ON and Gap ones typically don't, and I wear those more often.

 

We have laminate.

 

It's my Ann Taylor Loft shirts that get them for the most part. I buy most of my shirts there, but I don't know why when I know they're going to get the holes!

[Farrar]

Oh, it was a serious question? I thought we were just hilariously looking for new causes for those darn holes!

[Krista in LA]

I posted other because I get the holes and my counters are granite, but I got the holes before we had granite counters too.

[Pink and Green Mom]

I have corian counters but get the holes. I'm convinced they come from the fact that I've been know to - occasionally only, mind you... - use my shirt to open a bottle of beer. :leaving:

[tmulcahy]

I have corian counters but get the holes. I'm convinced they come from the fact that I've been know to - occasionally only, mind you... - use my shirt to open a bottle of beer. :leaving:

 

Um, yeah....I do that too:D