A Gentle Guide to Protecting Your Favorite Fabrics

Oh, my dear friend, there is nothing more frustrating than pulling on a favorite shirt only to discover a tiny hole near the hem. You wash it carefully, put it away, and somehow another little hole appears. If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it. Small holes in clothing can have several causes, and moths are only one possibility.

The good news is that once you figure out what is damaging your clothes, the solution is often surprisingly simple.

Why Do Little Holes Keep Appearing in My Clothes?

The location and appearance of the damage can provide useful clues. Small holes around the lower front of shirts, for example, are often caused by repeated friction rather than insects. Other damage may point toward laundry equipment, rough surfaces, or fabric pests.

Here are some of the most common culprits.