Help! Moths have chomped my clothes!!!

lelole

Hi,

For quite a while now I have noticed patches of small holes appearing on some of my clothes. It tends to be on fine jersey cotton clothing, and seems to almost always be in the same place.

At first I thought it was our washing machine, but we have a new one with a honeycomb drum to prevent holes, and it is still happening. I did also think that maybe something was catching on it - the holes tend to be at tummy level, but above where my belt sits... But cannot pinpoint it...

Any advice most welcome as it is costing me a fortune!!

Thanks

BitterAndTwisted

Moths will only damage wool so what you're describing cannot be moths damaging cotton jersey fabric.

If the damage is always in the same place on the garment it's unlikely to be the washing-machine doing it, it could be that your bag, jacket or coat could be the cause instead

blueberrypie

I have exactly the same problem - I keep discovering small holes on my t-shirts, just as you describe and in the same place! Not my belt though, as I rarely wear one. I haven't been able to figure out the cause - I'll be very interested if anyone else has a theory!

Can't be my bag, because I use a small backpack, usually slung over one shoulder, and it doesn't go anywhere near where the holes appear. And until a week or two ago, I hadn't worn a jacket or coat in months, so clearly not those either.

pebbles88

this happens to me and dh all time, its just where your clothes rub against your desk and hey presto theres the hole, i make a conscious effort now to try keep away as much as i can and its helping

blueberrypie

pebbles88 wrote: »

this happens to me and dh all time, its just where your clothes rub against your desk and hey presto theres the hole, i make a conscious effort now to try keep away as much as i can and its helping

I don't work at a desk - I'm a mum, at home with my kids. I do sit at the table sometimes, of course, but there's a tablecloth on it, and a layer of that padded protective-against-heat stuff under that, so I can't see it making a hole in my t-shirt. Besides, the holes I'm talking about look more as though something caught on the fabric, rather than rubbed against it and wore through.

Smiley_Mum

I was under the impression that moths would pretty much chomp on anything, so long as it was a natural fibre, didn't have to be just wool.

valk_scot

Yes, moths will eat cotton, silk, all natural fibres. They prefer wool though, and grubby wool is real gourmet stuff.

I doubt though that they're deliberately unfolding your t-shirts to nibble them all at the same spot, or that the washing machine is lining them up in the same way. It has to be something that's happening when you're wearing the t-shirt if they're all being damaged in the same place. My guess is if it's above belt level it's something catching your clothes as you sit down or bend over. Belt buckle, metal end of zip fastener, rough stud on jeans waistband etc etc. Does it happen more with items you wear with a specific bottom garment?

lelole

Hi all,

Well I am really glad nobody thinks it is moths!!!

I don't use a desk either, and can't think what I wear with these things that may be causing a problem? I suppose the fact it is happening mainly on thin fabrics, does suggest something is tearing it. The weird thing is, it is always more than one hole, all grouped together, but slightly different sizes/numbers/patterns each time! I suppose that is why I thought it might be moths...

I can be a bit random with where I put my clothes, so the tops that have the problem will have been both hung up and folded in a drawer.

Oh well none the wiser then, but feeling quite relieved it's not moths - the thought gives me the heebie jeebies!!

Thanks
lelole

valk_scot

You don't have cats, by any chance? My cats stand on my tummy when I'm sitting down and their claws sometimes catch in my clothes.

blueberrypie

I have a cat, but she's very unsociable, and doesn't like to be touched, never mind held. So not that, in my case...

My holes are always just one single hole though, unlike lelole's.