by Angela V 
A while ago I discovered tiny holes at the bottom of my shirts. At first I suspected clothes moths and went crazy looking for them in all of our closets, of course I found none. I then realized the holes were all at hip-level only. What was ripping tiny holes in all my shirts, all in the same area? It was a total mystery…
I went online and researched a bit. I found many forums and sites talking about the reasons why the holes were appearing. Some people said it was their washer, some blamed the button and snaps from their jeans rubbing against the shirt, some even said the seatbelt in their vehicle was rubbing against their shirt coupled with the button from the jeans underneath. There were some people that even blamed it on the poor quality of the fabrics.
Then I came across people discussing granite countertops and how rubbing against the counter tops could be the issue. Some natural granites have small pits, fissures, and “rough” spots to the touch where it’s crystalline structure is exposed when cut. Some granite counter tops are more rounded on the edges and wouldn’t have that same issue. The tiny holes were happening because I was leaning on my granite counters while I cooked, cleaned dishes or baked!
The holes all appeared after we moved to a house with granite countertops and my children’s clothes had no holes. This was happening only to my husband’s and my shirts. I believe we found the culprit in our kitchen! The solution? Wearing an apron made of thick material to protect our shirts, or cooking and cleaning wearing old shirts only.
Yes, friends, I am happy to say that after wearing an apron regularly we have seen no more holes appear on our new shirts!
Have you ever experienced the “mysterious” tiny holes? Did you find the culprit or are you still finding annoying tiny holes in your clothes? Share your story below!
UPDATE: We have moved to a new home with no granite countertops and there are NO new holes appearing on our clothing. After six months, I think this proves the counters were to blame at the old place!
Ps. If you are STILL having issues with the little holes even with no granite countertops in your home, then the culprit may be your jeans button. You can try getting silicone covers to cover the buttons and protect from the friction when you lean on hard surfaces (like kitchen counters). They are from Holé and I am getting some in the mail to try on my jeans. Direct link to get some is HERE.
61 Comments on “Tiny Holes at the Bottom of Shirts? The Culprit May Be In Your Kitchen”
OMG yes!!! I totally get the annoying tiny holes and they must be from our counters too!!!
Maybe the granite is conducting electricity and its arcing on cloths
and making small holes..
Might be static
Omg,im reading this thinking to myself you have solved my problem thats been going on for a long time all my tees have this..
OOps,i had to come back and share thisd on FB for my friends,we had this conversation a few times
Totally been there…..definitely something most people don’t think of!
I would never in a million years have thought that. I have had these ‘mystery holes’ in my shirts for years. BTW – my counters are corian.
I’ve been blaming my belt. We have laminate counters, so likely not that.
I also have granite counters which do have holes in them, in fact I called back the firm thinking they were defect and I must admit had I known they’d be with holes I’d have chosen a different granite! Luckily this hasn’t happened to me yet but if it does then I’ll just have to start wearing an apron. Thanks for posting 🙂
I have old counter tops and there is nails holding on the side pieces one , i have caught myself a hundred times , i cant stop it either , its a pain in the butt :/
I currently don’t spend too much time in the kitchen, but I’ll keep this in mind in case that changes! Thanks for the info!!!
OMG, I was going crazy and so annoyed by these holes. My granite counter is the culprit too! I’ve ruined like 10 shirts.
This drives me CRAZY and we totally have granite. Thank you! I had no idea.
I would have never guessed the granite countertops.
Huh, I did not know this! Makes sense… I have these tiny holes in my T-Shirts too and now the mystery is solved.
I have had these mystery holes for years! what is hard they start so small, if you are busy, you don’t notice, until that area of your shirt looks like a metal grater of small holes. I’ve been sewing mine up for the umpteenth time, I have to start wearing my cute handmade apron!
Most of my tees have this
This just happened to a kinda new shirt…..we literally had two moths in the house so naturally I thought it was them. But this totally makes sense.
I have had this problem as well only since we got granite countertops and the seam is right at the sink. Not sure if it would have happened if the seam was not at the sink, but it’s been a pain. I have ruined many, many, shirts! I guess it’s apron time for me as well, though a pain to have to use it for a 5 minute chore in front of the sink. Maybe I need to learn to not lean against the sink like my husband!
We do not have granite countertops and my husband is over 6 ft and I am under 5 ft and we both have these holes in the same spot. Still stumped
I wonder if stainless steel farm sinks do it too. It took me awhile to figure this out after ruining every cotton shirt! We have granite too but smooth edge and butcher block wood island where I do most work so I wonder if our stainless sink I lean up to does it. At our daughters house there’s honed granite than does it. I got myself a little bar apron to prevent this.
I have Silestone and this happened to my shirts. A granite company came by to smooth out the edge and it helped a bit but I’m still wrecking knit or cotton shirts. Was hoping to find a topical treatment but found this blog.
At first I thought it was my washer or dryer. But none of my husbands shirts developed any holes! I just bought several new tops and just finished doing the dishes and sat down for a bit when I just noticed homes again in my brand new top! 😖 it was still wet where my stomach rubs against the countertop! Note: I have quartz countertops! With this new found info I’m definitely going to use an apron!
Hi Christine! I just read your message. I got new quartz countertops back at the end of August. This past week I looked and I had 6 tops with horrible snags in them. Two of my tops had zippers and it ruined the zippers. I was totally amazed. I called my daughter and 2 granddaughters over and said help Grammy find where they are coming from. They fell in line with my kitchen sink. If you rub it with your finger it is smooth as ever. I am baffled but that had to be it. So I just ordered two heavy aprons.😡
I found holes all on my t shirt old one and the new the old t shirt holes get big and bigger ,but the new t shirt holes still small and just appeard.i think the reason behind it is the seat belt .
Thank you for this answer! It makes perfect sense, as we got granite countertops a couple of years ago, around the time these holes started appearing!
I wonder if there would be anything like a rubber strip that could be applied permanently to the front of the counter at the sink that would absorb the friction? I just am at the counter off and on so much during the day that donning an apron each time probably won’t happen!
I have long been frustrated by this problem. I thought I solved the mystery when I discovered a button on the back of my seat belt; I covered it with duct tape. But the tiny holes kept appearing in my (often brand new) knit shirts at a level with the Silestone counter tops. The rough edges or burrs are barely detectable – but they are there and after reading this forum, I conclude that the counter top is the cause. I agree with Marcy that it isn’t practical to grab an apron every single time I have a task in the kitchen although I am in the habit of wearing one during sustained activity. I am now going to try to find someone who can come in and smooth the edges. Has anyone had success with that? If I had it to do over, I’d select a different counter top edge i.e. one that is fully rounded. Wish I could get my money back for all of those ruined shirts!
Yup! Me too. So many cotton tops ruined! I’ve had reinforced a few favourites with iron-on interfacing on the inside. It hides some holes.
Surely there’s some way to smooth or seal the edges of the counters to prevent this. I don’t want to wear an apron! 🙂
I have had the same problem since moving into our new home 2 years ago. We have quartz counters so I’m guessing it is the same issue.
Hey, yes I know this problem! I have lost so many tops because of those annoy holes.
I actually bought Holé to go over my jeans button, and am happy to say that they have done the trick. I haven’t had any new holes since using them, I would definitely recommend!
This happens to many of my shirts. I think it could be metal zipper pulls in pants and shorts. The top of the pull has a roughness to it and some metal zippers have rough teeth. I do have granite counter tops, but they feel smooth. I will try aprons but I have also sewn small panels onto my zippers to try to put fabric between the zipper and the shirt.
Finally, I’m not crazy! Lol! This has been happening to all my shirts! I wear pull on pants, so no buttons or zippers! I blamed the new quartz counters. I am wondering if it is an off gas or other chemical in my quartz that is causing it? Concerning to me!
I have never worn an apron and not going to start now. So, the prroblem now is how to fix the rough edge and stop the holes. Does anyone know how to do this?
We have had granite for over 10 years, and, I’m embarrassed to say, it took us years to figure out the cause of all the little holes. It only happens to knit fabrics (like t-shirts), woven fabrics are immune. It doesn’t matter how heavy the fabric is, for some reason, only knit fabrics snag on and are cut through by the sharp granite crystals. My solutions were wearing an apron or tucking up my shirt into the underwire of my bra, just to hold the shirt out of the way briefly while doing something quickly at the kitchen counter (yes,it looks totally ridiculous.) Problem solved. I was hoping to find out if quartz composite countertops do the same thing, and unfortunately, it looks like they do.
This blog helps you to know about the tiny holes in your shirts is the culprits in your kitchen. These are must read for all. This article is a good one to look at. You will get best review over here and would suggest others too. Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!!Do visit this https://www.thebenchtopguys.co.nz/ For vital information that can be used again by anyone
On this topic you will get to know about the tiny holes in your shirts is the culprit in your kitchen. Thank you! Such a nice and superb article, we have been looking for this information. I love this article, thanks for producing such great contents. I love your posts always. Great post!!
I do not have granite countertops but still get these pin holes
I am so pleased I searched google to see if I could find the cause of the same problem. I have so many ruined t shirts due to the tiny holes appearing. I decided to search after another 2 brand new t shirt became damaged. I too thought it may be the washing machine but thought it unusual that it only happens to the front at hip level.
We had our kitchen works surfaces changed to granite 2 years ago, it’s about this length of time it’s been happening. I do sometimes where an apron in the kitchen but in future I shall where one all the time.
Who would believe that granite work surfaces would cause the problem, I would never have of thought of it.
Wow I assumed it was moths after placing clothes on an airer or my Jean buttons but it is only T-shirt’s that it happens too…
OMG!!!! I am so glad that I came across this post because I’ve been trying to figure out the mystery of the tiny little holes in my shirts! I have ruined so many tops and I was getting so frustrated trying to figure this out!! I blamed my dog jumping on me thinking it was his toenails but my husband never got any on his shirts from the dog. He usually has his shirt tucked in!! I’ve decided that it is my quartz countertop and I rub against it when I’m doing dishes!! I am wearing an apron now and may start using a step stool to get above counter height!!
Thank you for solving this mystery for me. Since my now husband moved in with me and my stone countertops, he has been getting holes in all of his tops. We thought it was because he put on weight from my cooking treats, or his belt or his watch. But, this solution is the most obvious asmy countertops do havesome nicks here and there and he does the washing up.
Wow… after 10 years of trying to figure out wtf was causing these holes, I followed your suggestion and problem solved. Thank you !
My holes started appearing right after we replaced our laminate countertops with granite. I knew this was the culprit but could never find anything to back it up until this article! Thanks for letting me know I’m not insane 🤣
Glad you solved your mystery. Looking over the comments I see this is a surprisingly common problem.
I used to get these all the time and thought it was maybe our quartz counters. Then we moved and the new house had either marble or granite counters, not sure, and it stopped. Forward 3 years later, we remodel our kitchen and install quartz countertops and I immediately start getting these holes again! It’s so frustrating! I ordered an apron, but I doubt I’ll put it on anytime I’m in the kitchen. I bought a new T-shirt yesterday, made dinner and one hole appeared. I’m short and am always leaning into the counter, my husband doesn’t lean in no he doesn’t get them.
Great article and suggestions. I hate wearing aprons so going to try a few other things to see if one may work:
1) put on clear nail polish on the edges that get used the most to see if this helps
2) put on clear tape or clear wall protector stickers on those edges
3) contact countertop expert to see if they can smooth the edges out
Hopefully one of these will work. It would only need to be in specific areas, like in front of the sink, which is where I suspect most of the damage gets done.
Thanks again for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
It is not caused by the granite or quartz counter top. It can be from a number of different
things such as your belt buckle, seat belt, your purse and any hard surface you may lean or rub against throughout your day.
I beg to differ. After testing, I am 100 percent confident the holes in my tshirts are coming from the seam of my new granite countertops. The seam is dead center of the sink. In my opinion, an apron isn’t an acceptable solution. Surely there is some way to seal the slight roughness. I’ve already had the company come back and buff the seam. It is better, but still some holes. Very frustrating.
I put 1/8” thick (estimate) double sided adhesive clear silicone tape (had this already) on the edge in front of the sink area. Sanded the adhesive off the top side once applied. Works like a charm! No more holes.
I have Formica style (laminate) countertops, but the counter under the top has water damage and is rough. I’m not sure which of my countertops, sink side or opposite counter top is causing it. But I blamed my dog for a while before I figured out it was only my shirts and I’m the exact same spot…
I definitely think it’s the granite counter tops, I have holes in every t-shirt that I wear lounging or cooking in😡. Don’t have holes in tops I where goo g out in, I change into my comfiest clothes as soon as I get home & I have holes in brand-new tops that I have only worn in the kitchen.🥺
Yes, I agree, all my other blouses are ok. But the shirts that I usually wear while I’m at home are all damaged: new and old. . I have to throw them all out! I really wish I had found out / known this sooner, I would’ve saved at least 15 shirts!
I started having the same issue once I installed a new countertop. I swear I ruined 10 T-shirts in the first few months.
My old countertop was granite.
The new one is Quartz. I believe there is some kind of reaction that happens between the copper/ metal jean button and the composite of the countertop with rubbing agains it.
For now, I taped clear scotch tape on the edge to see if it will stop the t-shirt massacre.
Side note, this countertop also shows grey track marks from pots and metal bowls being dragged across it.
Absolutely ! That’s the conclusion we came to. Our kitchen counter is quartz and I have the same exact problem. The same solution! Unfortunately it took me a while to figure it out. Blouses that I’ve had fo years and new ones, know are for cleaning, and cooking. Thank you for sharing!
OMG, I’ve had this problem for a couple of years now (since we changed our kitchen countertops to granite). In the beginning I googled this issue and I read that perhaps it was the zippers of the jeans while washing and drying. I blamed my husband this whole time and he does the laundry! But I realized that even though he was taking all measures (closing zippers and buttons on jeans, turning all jeans inside out) I still had all my shirts damaged. I didn’t understand why only my shirts had those tiny holes on them. I then gave it more thought and thought about that countertop. And I went to the internet once again and found this article. Wow! I hope I had found this out sooner! I wouldn’t have had so many shirts ruined: new and old!! My husband just bought a protector for that part of the countertop (by the sink). I will now have to buy new shirts and put these tiny-holes-in-shirts issue in the past!
at last!!
Granite everywhere in our kitchen, husband and wife team with ruined shirts and jumpers, always at the front. Our kitchen tops are detailed and quietly wearing. Our clothes are bearing the brunt! New aprons all round!!!
I got those holes not from granite countertops but from the tiled edges of my tiled countertops.
Thank you so much for this insight! It has been driving me crazy trying to figure out what was happening. Literally all my t-shirts have holes in them. I will be more aware of leaning up against the counter top.
It only happens to my Life is Good tee’s. I have two homes, one had laminate, and now granite, the other has smooth quartz. Every one of my new shirts! It happened with all three types of counter. No other tee shirt, so I’m not sure what’s going on. It’s not my jeans button as it’s not in the right place and never happened before. Still an expensive mystery for me. I had explored your theory though. I wish that was it in my case. Lol, they look exactly like your picture too!
We have the same problem with holes in our shirts with a quartz countertop. I’ve been meaning to get some fine grit sandpaper to see if I can polish the edge and make it smooth enough that it doesn’t cause this problem.
I have tiny holes in 90% of my shirts because it’s been over 2 years of damaging my clothing before it dawned on me what it could be.. I thought it was my desk, my son’s little dog that I love to pick up and carry around, putting weight on(not sure why), leaning in to the washer, holding my kindle in my lap, I went through the entire house numerous times to check the height of everything. The only things were my counter tops in the bathroom and kitchen. But no that couldn’t be they are smooth! Thank you for confirming! I embarrass my husband if we go out and I have one of my holey shirts on!