shawlw

Andy (Administrator) has collated a lot of information from differing view points and experiences in the Forum. So, I went through the content and tried different things out to make sure. I reached a point where in my case there was only one way to solve the problem which was via my bank account. What I can say, is that after I made that decision, I can't tell you how relieved I have been to have things back to normal, and that was worth it. Something else may go wrong down the track, but this time around, my purchase decision was based on country of origin, hopefully parts availabiity here in Australia across a range of brands, and not tying in an engineer to one brand. I can't comment on this aspect correctly though as I am not experienced in the ins and outs of it. The Forum does not discuss machine brands, so I may not comment on the brand you mentioned. I might add, it is kind of funny, my friends have washing machines that have been going on for years and years, and years!

Hi. I bought a new washing machine and no longer have the holes occuring in my clothes. It was the only way I could see to resolve this. Very happy with getting back to normal spin cycles too. Thanks for everyone's comments on the Forum. There is more to washing than I ever thought :-). Cheers, Laurie

That's pretty shocking about detergents being so harsh. I'll have an update I think in a few weeks. I've used mainly the earth friendly liquids, and years ago I used a powder that made the fabric feel harsher, even though whiter, which is why I ended up on liquid, and the last few months also trying a "baby" soft type liquid detergent. Thanks. Laurie

Yeah, I wouldn't take a machine apart - at all - electrical safety in particular, and too much potential for mechanical issues or safety. I have continued on the tests and looking at a rough matrix of issues, and pitting them against pages and pages of user' s data on the forums. If I exclude genuine cases where holes occur from over spinning, moths eggs, belts, zips, detergents, granite bench tops etc, and valid comments from engineers, poor quality weave etc., I find firstly there is too much evidence to ignore, this is a real issue, and as there is no definitive answer it causes frustration and tears over loss of hundreds of dollars in new clothing damage, let alone attachment to favourite clothes, and that as the cause exists in the machine, it is hidden, that's why we can't capture it. All it takes is one mechanical part or rough edged hole, or other mentioned possible causes, like worn out bearings to continually destroy garments, just one, and as the mechanisms are all hidden from sight we don't get the answer. You'd basically need a team of NASA scientists to design a machine that produces no holes! What I am therefore saying is the problems won't go away unless the owners, i.e. the manufacturer designers, FIX IT :-) so, in the context of what I mentioned above, I have found no holes if I wash, spin, or dry, at 600rpm. I have by the way a top brand machine. And I suspect my machine has only one tiny piece somewhere doing the deed as it is consistent, and not multiple hole types. I believe certain fabrics are weaved in a way to be more susceptible. Even a firm cotton weave of a business shirt can eventually get one of these ripped holes. The holes always have the same shapes in my case in particular directions with the weave, and holes to the side of the garments near stronger areas of the shirt's construction are always a bit smaller. I have two cheap T-Shirts that actually have a finer stronger fabric weave, and one has a hole located to the side join area, rather than the general area of the shirt. I can see where fabric patterns are maintained with the rip, rather than eaten by a hole. My new jeans at 900rpm show an attempt at a hole, but I can't prove that, and somehow parts of the shirts are more frequently in the zone for a hole, which suggests to me we don't really understand the way clothes tumble according to weight distribution and shape and what happens during the "destruction" process. As it is in my view the machine at fault, it is not correct to say that because holes aggregate in certain areas of garments that it is not the machine. I have one example where I can see threads actually pulled, and I think this is where the fabric resisted the rip due to the location with a second layer of fabric underneath it. My matrix basically indicates shows the following. Mostly T-Shirts, but also other fabrics and garment types. Usually in similar areas of T-Shrts, but not so with other garments. I suspect it happens to sox. I've had almost new high quality sox with suspect holes that don't make sense. Have not seen it with my brand of u-wear. I did not notice holes in the initial life of the machine. It seems it has escalated to an unusable point now. Will occur on expensive brands without me wearing the shirt first, as I wash first after purchase. I thought it possible for friction on surface and effect of spattered cooking oil, but the holes on night shirts are also present and they are only worn when I go to bed, and on new shirts washed before wear, all purchased from differing department stores. As said, holes on new shirts not worn first, so that debunks unfortunately the idea of the friction at the gym with weights etc. We obviously are not imagining this. My current conclusion is to put up with 600rpm which I really do not like, until I can afford to replace the machine. I am too hesitant to get an engineer to replace seals, font door, and drum, and bearings, or to expect resolution with the supplier after all the customer testimonials on that aspect. The forums provide very helpful suggestions, but even after all that, there is this ongoing category of damage. If your neighbour doesn't have it, simple, it's mechanical. I learnt in computing after many years experience, if it is hardware, the problem never resolves itself by itself, and grows worse. I don't see a fix to this without consumer enforcement on the manufacturers. Statistically, a certain number of machines will behave a certain way, just the same as any other commercial product. If anyone has holes within the first week of a purchase I would personally consider asking a full refund or exchange on the grounds of dissatisfaction, rather than guessing, hoping, or extending a discussion with a supplier. The damage to my few amount of clothes would be up towards $1,000. There is nothing in my "matrix" to show this is just one thing or another, other than the machine, and because we can't see it with cameras! we have the many many consumers who have statistically proven it, but who can't visually prove it. This is why the forums reach a stale mate, reading the same frustrations over and over. If I learn any more I'll add a post. Cheers, Laurie

Thanks. I did a check on clothing symbols and washer documentation on settings as per your note on standards, and they are all ok, and have had simple mixes of just whites. So that all seems to check out ok, but I have had other clothes lose shape at times and wondered why. On the hole in the trim of a shirt I mentioned, one can clearly see how threads have been pulled, as the hole is smaller and not as developed where the cloth only has a single layer. I'll add to this post if I discover more, or what the outcome is. I am happy to follow through on tips as they arrive in the forum here. Cheers.

Thanks Andy. I'll know in a couple of months how the slower speed performs. I hadn't thought of your suggestion which is good. I read a lot on the forum but sounds like I haven't seen all the links. I was wondering too why the manufacturers don't come to the party, resolve it and take advantage of holeless clothes for their sales pitch or why consumer authorities don't get them to fix things like razor sharp edges on the underside of drums. I'll see how things go before getting feedback from the local distributor and an engineer etc. Cheers, Laurie

I've almost been going insane on the holes. New $50 T Shirts with holes after one wash. Appears to be on outside of fabric, edges to the little rips at times rather than just a hole. Today, a new T Shirt with the hole on the back along the bottom edge where the cloth is folded for the trim, but the hole did not go through to the folded cloth under it. Holes are on front or back, most often front, and anywhere up to several inches up the height of the fabric, not up the top. $3k washing machine, 5.5kg, well known brand. I've read all forum, blog notes, and cannot locate the cause. I had one night T Shirt - good brand, first wash a hole, so it was not caused by belt buckle, kitchen tops etc. Have eliminated silverfish etc. Did not happen on previous front loader. Appears on any reputable quality of cotton, and spin speeds below 1000. I am trying 500 speed just in case but that won't be the cause. Not related to overloading or other fabrics in the wash from my tests. Eventually holes on good quality business shirts when cotton is fairly light weight. No detectable sharpness on drum outer holes. I don't see how drum door would do this, but who knows. Loader includes dryer, so have tested it is not the separate tumble dryer that came with the apartment. I'll do further tests to see if the dryer function is doing it. The continual loss of clothing is just at breaking point of tossing the machine, but the thing is, something is causing it. Thanks for all the tips, will update if I discover a cause.