Some laundry hampers have holes to allow for airflow so that your laundry won’t mildew or hold onto bad odors. Airflow is essential to keeping dirty laundry, and especially wet laundry, from mildewing and smelling even worse. If your laundry hamper is made from breathable fabric, there is no need to have holes in your hamper. However, breathable materials like cotton or mesh are the best for aerating your laundry, but other materials like canvas or polypropylene work well, too.