Improperly folded laundry can result in wrinkled clothes, as well as disordered and wasted storage space. Knowing how to fold clothes to save space will keep your closets and drawers neat and tidy. If your wardrobe is overflowing with too many clothes, there may be a way to store them better without having to toss the garments. Check out these tried-and-true folding techniques for six everyday items.
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The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
T-Shirts
Scientists have revealed the most efficient method for folding T-shirts. The technique, described by robotics engineers at the University of California Berkeley, was part of a research project that programmed robots on how to fold clothing for maximum space-saving.
- Place the T-shirt flat on a surface.
- Fold one arm in at the armpit seam.
- Stay on the same side and fold the length of the shirt toward the center.
- Repeat step 1 on the opposite side.
- Repeat step 2 on the opposite side. Your shirt should now be a rectangle.
- Take the folded shirt and bring the bottom up to the top, reducing the size by half.
- Smooth out your small square of a T-shirt and place it in your drawer or on a shelf.
Dress Shirts
While you might be tempted to hang your dress shirts, folding them so they can be stored neatly in drawers not only saves precious closet space but also prevents wrinkling. The latter is a big plus if you dread breaking out the ironing board.
Make sure to button all the buttons, from top to bottom, before folding. Doing so will ensure a neat fold that stays wrinkle-free. Then, follow these folding steps that are similar to the T-shirt fold:
- Spread the shirt button side down on a flat surface.
- Bring the right sleeve toward the center, folding along the armpit seam.
- Fold the right sleeve at about a 45-degree angle toward the hem.
- Repeat step 2 on the left side.
- Repeat step 3 on the left side.
- Grab the bottom hem and fold the bottom third of the shirt up.
- Fold again so the folded portion reaches the top of the shoulders.
- Turn over your folded dress shirt.
Towels
Folding both large and small towels in thirds is a real win-win. Towels folded using this method take up less surface space and are also much easier to stack. This is how most five-star hotels fold their towels.
- Hold your towel lengthwise.
- Bring the hems together so the towel is half the length.
- Repeat the previous step.
- Rotate the towel so it is lengthwise in front of you with the hem (and any decorative elements) face down.
- Bring each side edge into the center one at a time, like folding a piece of paper in thirds.
- Flip the towel over and place it on the shelf with the folded edges out.
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Short Socks
Any KonMari fan will tell you not to tuck one sock into the other after the pair is rolled into a ball—unless you like stretched-out socks. Instead, long socks should be folded into thirds by placing one flattened sock over the other and then folding in thirds like a letter.
On the other hand, short socks might not be long enough to fold in thirds. This method explains how to fold socks like these without resorting to the old sock-tucking trick.
- Form a T with one sock over the other perpendicularly.
- Fold the right edge of the bottom sock over the top of the top sock.
- Repeat for the left side of the bottom sock.
- Fold up the top sock, so it overhangs on top.
- Fold the overhang portion of the sock in between the folded layers of the bottom sock.
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Sweaters
Bulky, heavy sweaters should never be hung on a hanger. To prevent sweaters like these from getting droopy and stretched out of shape, neatly fold them as shown.
- Face the sweater down on your flat surface.
- Fold the sleeve in toward the center of the sweater.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Bring the bottom hem up and fold the sweater in half.
- Turn the folded sweater over and store it on a closet shelf or in a dresser drawer.
Underwear
You may wonder, "Who folds underwear?" but consider the benefits. Keeping your skivvies neatly organized will make finding the pair you want to wear easier without messing up the entire underwear drawer. Even better, it saves precious drawer space.
Women's Underwear
- Start with the underwear on a flat surface.
- Fold in half by bringing the right or left edge to the opposite edge.
- Repeat for the other side.
- Fold in half from top to bottom.
Men's Underwear
- Lay the underwear on a flat surface.
- Fold in thirds by bringing one side to the center.
- Repeat for the other side.
- Fold in half from top to bottom.
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The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
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Is it more space efficient to roll or fold clothes?
Rolling your clothes is better to save space, especially when packing. However, folding clothes in your closet may be more practical for everyday wear. Folded clothes are more easily accessible.
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Is it more space efficient to hang or fold clothes?
While folding clothes saves more space, the decision to fold or hang depends on the type of garment and fabric you are planning on storing. Formal wear and delicate fabrics such as silk should be hung, but casual items such as jeans and sweaters can be folded.
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What clothing should not be hung?
Sweatshirts and heavy and delicate sweaters (cashmere, wool, knit) should not be hung as they can easily stretch and lose shape on the hanger. Activewear, jeans, and embellished garments should also be folded when stored.