How to Fold Fitted Sheets Neatly

When it comes to folding laundry, fitted sheets are the hardest item to deal with. Flat sheets are simple enough to fold; you can just fold them in half several times until they are neat and tidy. But this is not true for fitted sheets that are equipped with elastic corners that can be really tricky to fold properly. If you do it the wrong way, your fitted sheet will turn out to be a wrinkled ball shoved in the back of the closet. In fact, my approach is not the most sophisticated one, and it consists of simple steps only.  

What You Need Before You Start 

You will need only few things. It is important to have a flat surface to fold your sheets. You may opt for your bed, table or even floor, it does not matter what you use to begin folding fitted sheets. Before folding your fitted sheets, it is advisable that your sheets are completely dry. It is worth noting that moist sheets lead to the formation of bad smells and fungus when they are taken from a closet in the future. It is important to shake out big wrinkles before you start folding; saves you trouble later when you're trying to get a clean rectangle shape. 

Folding a Fitted Sheet Step by Step 

Step 1: Find the Corners 

Take the sheet, flip it lengthwise, and locate the four elastic corners. Ensure that the elastic corners are not tangled as they will create problems for you.  

Step 2: Tuck the Corners Together 

Join the two corners, just the way we make a little pouch by tucking one inside the other. Collect another corner and tuck it in the same manner. Continue stacking until all four corners are layered one over the other. The result may appear unclean, but this is the normal process.  

Step 3: Smooth It Out 

Lay the whole thing flat now. Take the whole contraption outside and keep it flat. Make sure the elastic corners are straightened to remove any curls. 

Step 4: Fold Into a Rectangle 

The fourth step consists of folding it into a rectangle. First, bend the edges because this is the complicated part. Now bring the edges inside and level everything after every bend. This is important because otherwise the elastic will spring back and lose the shape of the object.  

Step 5: Final Fold Into a Square 

Fold it lengthwise or into thirds, depends how big your shelf space is. This last fold is really just personal preference. Smooth it one more time and you're done, should look clean and stack nicely. 

Folding Tips When You Don’t Have a Flat Surface 

Sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where there are no tables, beds, or anything flat around. You can still manage to keep the corners of the linen together by utilizing their edges and bringing them to one side of the linen. It looks somewhat messy, but it is possible to make it work by holding the folded linen together in one hand and tucking its edges down with the other hand. Not as neat as folding flat, but it gets the job done. 

Keeping Sheets Neat in Storage 

Fold them right when they come out of the dryer, waiting just means more wrinkles to fight later.