Here’s Why Your Clothes Are Tearing In The Washing Machine
It’s an odd paradox that laundry, while necessary, can also endanger your clothes. Have you ever found your favorite garment damaged after a wash? Discovering mysterious holes and tears in freshly laundered clothing is always frustrating.
To solve this issue, it’s important to pinpoint why your clothes are tearing in the washing machine. With multiple potential causes, let’s explore the reasons behind these mishaps!
Clothes Tearing in the Washing Machine? Here Are 5 Potential Reasons for Holes and Tears
1. Harsh Cleaning Products
Pre-treating stains is a crucial laundry step, but have you ever noticed holes appearing in the same area where you applied the stain remover? This could be due to leaving the cleaning product on for too long, weakening the fibers.
Similarly, contact with bleach can thin out fabric to the point of breaking. To prevent holes, ensure the bleach is fully dissolved before adding it to your wash.
Another consideration for both stain removers and bleach is water temperature. Excessively hot water can compromise certain fabrics, leading to holes in your clothes.
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2. Overloading the Drum
While cramming your washing machine to its limit might seem efficient, it can actually damage your clothing, potentially causing holes. When the drum is overstuffed, garments lack the space to move freely and can snag and tear as they rub against each other.
If you’ve noticed your clothes coming out excessively wet, covered in residue, or even dirty after washing, it’s likely a sign of overloading. To avoid these issues, aim to load your washing machine only about three-quarters full for optimal results.
3. Sharp Objects or Loose Debris
Items left in pockets can also account for unexpected holes in clothing. Metal pens, bobby pins, and keys are common culprits, but even seemingly harmless objects like sand can cause tears. When sand particles mix with detergent, they can burst during washing and create tiny holes in the fabric.
4. The Clothes Themselves
Always ensure zippers, hooks, and buttons are fully closed on each garment before placing them in the washing machine. Open fasteners can easily catch on other clothes during washing.
For items prone to snagging even when zipped up, consider turning them inside out to minimize contact with other garments.
Pro tip: Use a delicates bag to provide an additional layer of protection for bras, underwear, tights, and other delicate items.
Broken Drum
Lastly, the tears might be caused by issues with the washing machine itself. Drum paddles—those large plastic pieces inside your machine—can break off, exposing sharp edges and metal hinges.
To check if this is the issue, try running a single pair of bundled-up nylon stockings around the inside of your drum. If they get caught or torn, it’s likely time to consider a repair.
If immediate repair isn’t feasible, or if cost is a concern, using a local laundromat may be your best alternative. Laundromats often offer quicker, more affordable, and cleaner washing options.
As you investigate the cause, Whiteice is here to assist with clean, well-maintained, state-of-the-art washing machines
