Skip to main content

How to fold a fitted sheet with no aggravation

Folding a fitted sheet is easier than you think

neatly folded and stacked linens
Steve Buissinne / Pixabay

Folding fitted sheets 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.

woman shaking teal sheet
Volha Flalxeco / Unsplash

Step-by-step directions

In this guide, we will take you through a step-by-step process that will finally leave you with neatly folded fitted sheets every time.

Recommended Videos

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 corners of the fitted sheet together. Start by slipping your hands into the back of the sheet’s long side corners. Then, give the sheet a good shake to straighten it out. Slowly move each hand down the short edge until you reach the next corner. Once you’ve reached a corner, pick it up and tuck it into the other two corners you previously worked with. The goal is to have all the corner seams fully inside each other, creating a neat bundle in your hands.

3. Make a rectangle with your sheet

Now that you have all the corners together, move your right hand over your left hand, so all the corners are on your left hand. You will be left with two straight edges. 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.

colorful bed linens neatly organized
PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

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:

  1. Fold the flat sheet and one of the pillowcases into squares.
  2. Take the other pillowcase and lay it flat with the open end facing you.
  3. 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.
  4. Fold the open end of the pillowcase over the sheets to create a neat and compact little package.
  5. 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.

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
If your apples are next to these fruits and veggies, you’re ruining your produce
Here's how to store apples properly and keep the rest of your produce safe
Bowl of fruit on a counter

While apples are a signature fall food, they are also among the most popular fruits all year long. They're nutritious, long-lasting, and typically pretty cheap compared to other fresh produce. As delicious as they are, apples can, unfortunately, harm any produce they're stored next to. To keep all your fruits and veggies as fresh as possible, you need to know how to store apples and which fruits and veggies to keep far away from them.

Why do apples ruin other fruits and veggies?
As apples ripen, they release a hydrocarbon gas called ethylene. The riper the apple becomes, the more gas it produces. Unfortunately, ethylene can harm produce, speeding up the ripening process of the fruits and veggies it comes into contact with.

Read more
How to wash a weighted blanket in 4 simple steps
Proper care and maintenance are essential with weighted blankets
Woman sleeping with gray blanket and navy sheets

Weighted blankets have gained popularity for their ability to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality. However, when it comes to washing your bedding, proper maintenance is a big part of ensuring you can enjoy your weighted blanket for years to come. Let's discuss some of our maintenance best practices and our recommendations for how to wash a weighted blanket in just a few simple steps.

What's inside a weighted blanket?
Before we dive into the how-to's, it's important to understand what exactly these blankets are made of. Weighted blankets are filled with materials like glass beads, plastic pellets, or even rice to provide the desired weight. These materials are distributed evenly throughout the blanket to apply gentle pressure across the body, promoting relaxation and calming effects in your bedroom.

Read more
The big exception to Costco price adjustments (and how to get around it)
What you need to know about Costco price adjustments and price matching
Costco card and receipt

Have you ever bought a fairly expensive item only to see it marked down a few days later? Or go shopping in a different store and see your new purchase being advertised at a lower price? It’s an infuriating feeling, knowing you’ve spent money you didn’t have to. Luckily, that’s where Costco price adjustment and price-match policies come in. But when it comes to shopping at Costco, there’s one pretty big price adjustment exception you need to know about.

Can you get a Costco price adjustment?
 In general, yes. While there are exceptions, most items at Costco are eligible for a price adjustment if the item goes on sale within 30 days of purchase (and there are no applicable promotional item limits).

Read more