I noticed a couple tears like that in some quilted material I was going to take apart but decided to wash first. Glad I did. I wasn't really out any time and effort put into it, like yours. I took an old pair of knee highs and slipped it over one of those Swiffer fluffer dusters. Wiped the inside of the washer very carefully and a few of the holes in the tub had gotten caught on something and bent outward just enough to catch onto the material. Dh took a small piece of rubber tubing and wrapped the end of a punch and tried to punch it back. After every wash I use the fluffer to check the tub. We decided our next washer was going to have the largest tub we can find. We both hate laundromats.