The Mystery of the Ripped Elbows

Last week one of the Health Editors here at About sent me this photo and a mystery to solve. She and a friend had discovered several shirts in their husbands' laundry with ripped elbows. What were the men doing? Was it a new fashion trend? Were the men playing around at work and walking on their elbows?

She actually gave me a hint when she mentioned that their city water contains lots of minerals. Then I knew. It is "The Case of the Hard Water Wear".

Fortunately, I was able to send along some advice for handling laundry in hard water. As for the shirts, the only way to save them is to make them short sleeved.

(Photo: Lesley Tellez)