Holes in clothes

[Vicky]

My washing machine has started to chew up our clothes. Tiny holes have appearing in clothing after being washed. What is causing this?

Many thanks

[kwatt]

Re: Holes in clothes

Hi Vicky,

I’ve seen this happen a couple of times now on two totally different makes or machine with little or no explanation if it’s what I think. My thinking being, from what you’ve said, is that you’re getting very small holes appear a couple of millimetres or so in size.

If there’s nothing in the drum, such as a bra wire poking through that can pick holes or there’s no rough/damaged areas on the drum or paddles then it’s not the machine as such that’s the problem.

The only time I’ve seen it, it appears to happen only with very light summer clothing and the likes. One theory is that the clothes are pulled through the holes in the drum and damaged that way. The only other theory is that and, this is more plausible, the clothing is of low quality fabrics and that they just start to break up.

If it’s caused by anything else there’s always a tell-tale. Such as if clothing gets trapped between the drum and the seal you can see that right away as there’s always a pattern of wear or tear that is easily visible.

So, where there’s no fault found on the drum or paddles the strong suspicion is that it is something to do with the clothing, not the washing machine.

The only other option is to reduce the spin speed considerably in the hope it stops but I have heard of at least one where, even with the spin reduced below 800rpm, that it still happened and that is just baffling.

It is however a very, very rare problem.

HTH

K.

[Vicky]

Re: Holes in clothes

Thanks kwatt

You are right it is in light summer clothes. No need to replace my washing machine then, especially as it is getting quite chilly now! Thanks, I was convinced my washing machine was on the way out. I will hold off ordering one of the ISE machines until my Bosch actually does die!!

Thanks very much

[clivejameson]

Re: Holes in clothes

There can be a number of causes….

If you’ve had some metal work behind the drum (coins etc) then these can damage the back of the drum…the clothes during spin will bulge through the holes in the drum so if these have been damaged they will tear the fabric. In this case the holes tend to be small and often with ‘picked’ threads.

If the holes are more circular and match the drum hole pattern then you may have a bra-wire or sock stuck behind the drum which rubs on the washing as it bugles through…..

Any chance of posting a pic of the damage?

[Vicky]

Re: Holes in clothes

Thanks for your response Clive. The holes are more circular. I will try to post a pic when I get home later. How would I go about finding out if there is something behind the drum?

Many thanks

[clivejameson]

Re: Holes in clothes

A good way is to stick your head right in the drum and use a torch to shine through the holes, turning the drum helps to get a better view of what’s behind…not very dignified 😯 😆 but often you will spot a foreign object.

The twelve o’clock position is usually favourite because the heater is located there. 😉

[Vicky]

Re: Holes in clothes

How do I send you a picture?

[clivejameson]

Re: Holes in clothes

Probably the best way is to upload it to a free host like photobucket then cut ‘n’ paste the link on the forum here 😉

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