Sometimes clothes get little holes in them, but don’t throw them out just yet! You can fix them easily, even if you don’t know how to sew. This method is simple and avoids the bulky stitches you might get from sewing.
Once you start looking, you might find more tiny holes than you thought. Luckily, each one only takes a few minutes to fix.
Why Clothes Get Holes
There are many reasons clothes can get holes. Moths are one cause, but they’re not the only one. Regular wear and tear or snagging on everyday items can also make holes. Some common culprits are:
- Pull-ons, bras, and belts
- Your laundry sink
- Chlorine bleach
- Rough surfaces
How to Prevent Holes
The location of the holes can give you a hint about their cause. For example, belt buckles can rub against shirts and cause holes. If this happens, skip the belt, adjust it often, or smooth its rough edges with sandpaper.
If your shirts get holes from zippers, make sure to zip up your pants before washing them. Fasten bras before washing to prevent the metal hooks from catching other clothes, or use a laundry bag for bras.
Other bad laundry habits can also cause holes. Don’t overload the washing machine because this increases the chances of snags. Turn clothes with buttons, beads, or other embellishments inside out.
Separate delicate fabrics like silk and cotton from heavier items like towels. Use low spin cycles for delicate items. Be careful with chlorine bleach because too much can cause holes. Try eco-friendly alternatives like baking soda, vinegar, or citric acid.
Moths are a common cause of holes, especially in fabrics like wool, silk, and leather. Use pheromone traps to catch male moths and repel others with essential oils of mint or lavender, or store dried lavender in mesh bags. For severe infestations, clean the closet with vinegar and wash clothes in warm water.
Watch out for rough surfaces like stone, wood, exposed nails, and brick. Rubbing against these can cause snags that might not be noticeable at first but can worsen over time. Cover or smooth these surfaces to prevent accidental tears.
How to Mend Clothes Without Sewing
Here’s what you need to fix holes without stitching:
- Clothes with holes 5 mm or smaller
- An iron
- Fusible bonding web
- A large piece of wax paper
Instructions:
1 . Turn the damaged clothing inside out with the hole facing you and place it on an ironing board.
2. Cut a small piece of fusible web, slightly larger than the hole.
3. Press the sides of the hole together gently to make it look like the hole is gone. Cover the hole with the fusible web, then place wax paper over it.
4. Set your iron to the “wool” setting and press it against the wax paper for about ten seconds without moving it.
5. Turn the clothing right-side-out to check the hole. If it hasn’t closed smoothly, repeat steps 3 and 4 until it looks like new.
After a few tries, you’ll see that the hole disappears quickly and easily.
See the video below for a demonstration!
What do you think of this method? Have you tried it before? Share your thoughts in the comments!
