Those Tiny Holes in Your Shirt May Have a Surprisingly Simple Cause

Have you ever pulled a favorite polo shirt from the closet and noticed several tiny holes appearing across the front? It can be frustrating—especially when the fabric otherwise looks perfectly fine.

The brown shirt in the image shows several small holes or worn areas that have been marked with blue circles. This is a common clothing problem, and moths aren’t always the culprit.

Why Do Small Holes Keep Appearing?

Tiny holes in shirts can have several causes, but the location and pattern of the damage can provide important clues.

When multiple small holes appear around the lower front of a shirt, one possibility is repeated friction.

For example, the front of a shirt can repeatedly rub against:

• A belt buckle
• Jeans buttons
• Trouser hardware
• A desk or countertop
• A kitchen counter
• A seat belt
• Bag straps
• Rough surfaces

Over time, that repeated friction can weaken the individual fibers until tiny holes develop.