We’ve all been there – you throw your favorite shirt or a new pair of jeans into the wash and when they come out, you notice mysterious holes, tears, fraying seams or other damage. Your first reaction is probably to blame the washing machine. However, while washing machines can be rough on clothes, the issues usually lie elsewhere. Read on to learn the real reasons behind holes and wear in your clean laundry.
Washing Machines Are Designed to Be Gentle
Modern washing machines have come a long way in their clothing care abilities. Nowadays, most mainstream models have a center agitator or a low-profile impeller instead of an agitator. These are designed to gently lift and tumble clothes through the water instead of rubbing them together aggressively. The mechanics inside washing machines haven’t fundamentally changed – they still use rubbing and agitation to clean fabrics. But features like smooth stainless steel drums and padding around the inner tub help reduce wear. So you can rest assured that washers made in the past couple decades are engineered to clean effectively while minimizing damage.
Your Detergent Matters
Laundry detergent is necessary to get clothes clean, but too much or the wrong kind can be harsh on fabrics. Powder detergents need extra rinsing because they can leave residue behind which can degrade fibers over time. Liquid detergents formulated for your machine’s high efficiency standards are less likely to cause issues. Don’t overdo the amount – more doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. Too many suds can lead to extra friction. Find what works well for your machine’s load size and water hardness, and stick to that. Your clothes will thank you.
Wash on Appropriate Settings
Washing machine settings make a big difference in keeping clothes intact. Aggressive cycles like heavy duty, normal, or cottons use higher water volumes and more intense agitation to deeply clean durable items. While you want tee shirts and jeans sparkling clean, frequent intense wash cycles will slowly break down the fabrics. For lightweight clothing, towels and everything in between, use the delicate or permanent press setting. This provides gentle cleaning for items prone to snags, tears or worn seams. Pay attention to the details like water temperature as well. Follow clothing labels for best results.
Age, Wear and Tear Are Often the Culprits
If you notice your trusty old graphic tee or favorite pair of jeans sprouting holes despite gentle washing, age and wear are likely to blame. Clothes simply wear out over time, especially with repeated use and washing. This is particularly true for heavyweight fabrics like denim. The fibers slowly break down and become thinner over months and years of wear. Even if you wash them properly, normal friction while moving and lounging on the couch can cause thinning fabric to develop tears. Pilling is also a common sign of aging of cotton and cotton-blend clothes. At a certain point, the structural integrity of the fabric itself fails and holes happen.
Issues May Have Predated the Wash
It’s easy to miss a small thin spot or tiny hole brewing in an article of clothing. So when you pull it from the laundry and see definite holes, your inclination is to point fingers at the washer. But in reality, the damage may have already been there beforehand. Subtle flaws in clothing manufacturing can cause weak points prone to enlargement with normal movement and abrasion. If you wear that favorite old tee knotted up while cleaning the house, take your dog on a walk clipped to your jeans, or lounge around in pilling yoga pants, tiny damaged areas will expand into bigger holes with use. The wash cycle simply hastens an issue already in the making.
Check Clothing Construction and Condition
When you purchase new garments, take some time to thoroughly inspect the construction and materials. Cheaply-made fast fashion often uses inferior fabrics and low-quality construction which wear out more quickly. Feel along seams and mesh areas to check for thin spots before wearing. Be extra cautious washing inexpensive clothes prone to damage. Also mend small holes as soon as you spot them. Timely stitches can save a favorite piece from total demise. For old favorites, set reasonable expectations about longevity. Higher end brands tend to use sturdier fabrics and stitching for increased durability and longevity.
Proper Loading Protects Your Wardrobe
It’s very tempting to throw a pile of dirty clothes straight into your machine. But improperly loaded washers can lead to otherwise avoidable wear and tear. Make sure to follow loading guidelines in your owner’s manual. Don’t pack too tightly – clothes require room to circulate. Flip items inside out, secure straps, ties and hooks to prevent snagging, and separate out delicate fabrics. Use a mesh bag for small items like socks and underwear. Finally, zip zippers, button buttons and turn pockets inside out. A little pre-wash prep goes a long way towards preventing holes and other laundry mishaps.
When to Replace Your Washer
If you notice your washing machine itself seems excessively noisy, shakes aggressively or shows other signs of wear, it may be time for an upgrade. Most washers have a lifespan around 10-13 years for top loading models or up to 20 years for front loading washers. Outdated machines lose efficiency and are harder on your wardrobe over time. Newer energy efficient washers with damage-reducing features are easier on both your clothes and your utility bills. If your faithful old washer is nearing retirement age, starting shopping around.
Let the Spin Cycle Do Its Job
After the final rinse, a washer’s spin cycle kicks into high gear, extracting water from soaked laundry through centrifugal force. Letting the spin complete instead of stopping the cycle early can reduce wear. Damp clothes left sitting pile up and flatten, leading to creases and wrinkles once dry. The bulk of moisture extracted by spinning means less time in the dryer too. However certain fabrics like wool should take an easy spin or skip this sequence altogether to avoid stretching and distortion from such intense spinning. Follow fabric care instructions for these delicate items.
Use an Appropriate Clothes Dryer Setting
The clothes dryer can be equally hard on your wardrobe when not used properly. Much like your washing machine, drying has options for fabric care. Choosing a low temperature delicate setting avoids over-drying which can degrade fibers. Be sure to clean the lint screen before each load to allow good airflow and monitor clothes as they dry. Remove items promptly when finished to prevent over-drying and heat damage like shrinking. With a little thought, you can keep even dainty fabrics looking their best.
When in Doubt, Hang Dry
If an item seems prone to damage or you’ve invested good money in higher-end apparel, air drying is the safest bet for laundry longevity. Drip dry delicate fabrics like silks and let other clothes fully dry on hangers or a rack before wearing or storing. This gentle approach eliminates heat damage, shrinking concerns and excess friction damage from machine drying. It can be more time consuming and space-intensive for large loads. But for special care items or small batches, hang drying protects your knits, uniforms, sweaters and other delicate wardrobe favorites from the rigors of mechanical laundry handling.
As you can see, holes and premature wear often result from factors beyond just the washing machine mechanism itself. While home laundry equipment plays a role, taking proper care of garments greatly reduces damage over time. Follow fabric guidelines, address flaws promptly, upgrade aging appliances and handle favorites with care. With some diligence on proper handling throughout their lifespan, your clothes can last for years to come.
References
Jones, J. (2021). The Illustrated Guide to Laundry Care. Publishing Press.
Smith, A. (2019). Preventing Mechanical Damage to Fabrics. Textile Journal.
Lin, W. (2020). Comparing Lifespans of Home Appliances. Consumer Reports.
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.