Ever try folding a fitted sheet and end up with a balled up mess? Getting these elastic linens into a presentable shape might seem like a daunting task, but mastering this skill can save you from wrinkled and messy bedding while also keeping your linen closet neat and tidy. Learning how to fold a fitted sheet is a valuable life skill that can make your daily chores more manageable and your home more organized. Don’t worry — we’re going to bring you into the fold with some step-by-step instructions and some great tips for your linens!
How to fold a fitted sheet: Step-by-step directions
Let’s walk through the step-by-step process that will finally leave you with neatly folded fitted sheets every time.
1. Lay the fitted sheet on a flat surface
To begin, find a flat surface where you can spread out your fitted sheet. This could be your bed, a kitchen table, or a handy folding area in your lovely laundry room. The key is to ensure you have enough space to work with the sheet comfortably. Lay the fitted sheet with the elastic side facing up, as this will make the folding process much smoother.
2. Gather the corners together
The next step is to gather the long corners of the fitted sheet together. Start by slipping your hands into the back of one of the sheet’s corners. Then, give the sheet a good shake to straighten it out. Slowly move your free hand down the short edge until you reach the next corner. Once you’ve reached a corner, pick it up, flip it inside out, and tuck it into the other corner.
Repeat this with the other two corners of the sheet. Then, take one set of corners, turn it inside out, and place it inside of the other set of corners. The goal is to have all the corner seams fully inside each other, creating a neat bundle in your hands.
3. Smooth and straighten
Now that you have all the corners together, you should have a sort of rectangle. Lay the sheet back on your flat surface with the elastic still facing up. Take a moment to smooth out any wrinkles or folds to ensure your sheet forms a clean rectangle.
4. Do the three-way folds
With your sheet in the shape of a rectangle, it’s time to perform the three-way folds. Start by folding one-third of the sheet over toward the center. Then, fold the other third over the first fold. You should now have a narrower rectangle. Finally, fold the narrow rectangle into thirds once again. This will result in a compact square of easy-to-store linen sets.
How to fold a fitted sheet with the rest of the set
Now that you’ve successfully folded your fitted sheet, let’s talk about how to keep the rest of your sheet set organized. Often, it can be frustrating to search for matching pillowcases and flat sheets in your linen closet. To prevent this, consider using one of the pillowcases as a bag to keep the entire sheet set together.
Here’s how to do it:
- Fold the flat sheet and one of the pillowcases into squares.
- Take the other pillowcase and lay it flat with the open end facing you.
- Place all the other folded linens from the sheet set — including the folded flat sheet and pillowcase, as well as the fitted sheet you just folded — inside the pillowcase.
- Fold the open end of the pillowcase over the sheets to create a neat and compact little package.
- Label the pillowcase with a tag or sticker indicating the size and color of the sheets inside.
This method not only keeps your sheets organized but also makes it easy to grab the entire set when changing and cleaning your regular bedding.
Why are fitted sheets so hard to fold?
Fitted sheets are notoriously hard to fold because of their elastic corners and curved edges. Unlike flat sheets, which are simple rectangles, fitted sheets are sewn with elastic that creates puckering and rounded shapes, making it tricky to align and smooth them out. The corners don’t naturally line up in a clean, symmetrical way, and the elastic causes the fabric to bunch and spring back when you try to fold it neatly. Without a flat surface or straight edges to work with, the process requires extra steps — like tucking corners into each other just right — to achieve a tidy fold.
Folding a fitted sheet might take a bit of practice, but with these simple steps, you can achieve a smooth and wrinkle-free result every time. Additionally, by using one of the pillowcases to store the rest of the sheet set, you can maintain an organized linen closet and save valuable space in your home. So, don’t let the fitted sheet fold you into frustration; instead, follow these steps and enjoy neatly folded sheets with ease.
