[Goldperson]

I have a Kenmore Elite QuietPak 4 front load washer. When I wash my knit clothing, they often come out of the wash with several tiny holes in the front. This has happened on numerous occasions. What could be causing this?

[Stratmando]

Its odd happening only to the front, Bleach could do it, something abbrasive in the washer(you say it is after the wash?)but not after dryer?
Also a burn from a cigarette ember, a cat claw ripping a thread?

[joypulv]

If it's the front only of knits, then it has to be something that happened before you washed them.
Moths, cats, bleach, are what come to mind.
Moths that eat wool are very tiny and eat very tiny holes at first.
But you could run your hand all around the inside of the drum to feel for metal burrs.

[phowell]

We have the same washer and have begun having this problem recently too (holes ripped in knit tops and shorts). Our washer is about 6 years old. After looking and feeling everywhere, to see if there was anything that would possibly catch the fabric and rip a hole, this is what my husband discovered... if you push back the big grey gasket and look at the white plastic ring that is facing you (it is attached to the drum), you will see 3 places (evenly spaced around the ring) where there is a rough spot in the white plastic. He found that one in particular was quite sharp and he could easily see it ripping a hole in fabric if the fabric worked it's way in behind the gasket. He filed these rough spots down. We will see if the problem goes away! I hope so!!

We assume this became a problem after 6 years because with time and use, the gasket has gotten softer/less rigid and so it is probably easier for lighter clothing to partially work it's way in behind the gasket. I have always found color catcher sheets that ended up in behind the gasket every now and then.

Good luck!