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Pro tip: Switch to a front-loading washer or a top-loader without an agitator (impeller-style). These are much gentler on clothes.
How it causes holes: Repeated exposure to high heat makes fibers brittle. Friction from rubbing against other clothes (especially jeans with rivets or zippers) can wear thin spots into holes.
The pattern: Holes appear in high-friction areas (underarms, sides, bottom hems). They’re often accompanied by general thinning of the fabric.
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