Living in a tight New York apartment has taught me loads (pun intended) about making the most of limited space. Since moving in, I’ve become particular about maximizing every inch of my small space. One thing I’ve learned? How you store your clothes makes a world of difference.
Folding clothes neatly doesn’t just save space—it’s helped me feel more organized, keeps my fabrics in better shape, and cuts down on wrinkles. And let me tell you, in a tiny apartment with no room for an ironing board, that’s a lifesaver.
While folding clothes might seem straightforward, doing it the wrong way can quickly turn into a mountain of nightmares. That’s why I put together this guide to help you master the art of laundry folding.
You heard it here first: folding clothes properly is important! Okay, maybe your mother told you first, but were you really paying attention back then?
Folding your clothes maximizes storage space in your closet, drawers, and travel bags. What surprised me most after I started putting the time into folding my clothes properly was how my living space feels more organized and clutter-free. And let me reiterate–every nook, cranny, and crevice is vitally important when you’re living in a small space like me. Not to mention that the organization saves time when it comes to getting dressed in the morning since your items are easier to find!
Finally, washing clothes effectively and folding them properly helps prevent wrinkles and preserves clothing quality, allowing me to skip the ironing board (that I don’t own) more often than not.
Each item, as you can guess, needs to be folded differently to maximize space and prevent wrinkles. I’ll provide step-by-step instructions for some of the most common items in every wardrobe.
If you’re anything like me, t-shirts take up most of your wardrobe. Here’s how to fold a t-shirt in four simple steps:
What I love about this method is that it clears up space in my drawer. This folding technique is also especially useful if you have graphic tee shirts because it prevents creases from forming on the center of your design.
Most of us have probably heard about the Marie Kondo method of folding at this point. I’m here to vouch for it! This method essentially condenses your tee shirt into thirds to take up as little space as possible while preserving the integrity of your t-shirts. Win-win!
As bulkier items that take up more space, it’s particularly important to keep your pants and jeans tidy with proper folding technique. Here’s how to fold jeans and pants:
This method is excellent for minimizing wrinkles in your bottoms. However, you may have finicky dress pants that crease easily. To minimize creases, I recommend hanging them using pant hangers. Or, follow these steps for folding dress pants if hanging is not an option:
If you travel frequently, I recommend rolling your pants to maximize space in your suitcase. To do this, fold your pants or jeans in half lengthwise, using one of the two folding methods described above. Starting at the waistband, tightly roll the pants down to the hem. Then, stick your rolled pants in your suitcase or packing cube. Done!
Towels are incredibly easy to fold. I even ask my kids to help fold our freshly washed towels because there is little room for error!
To fold a towel:
This folding method is excellent for organization and maximizing small storage spaces! If you have an especially tight space, I recommend focusing on getting a nice, sharp fold. This ensures the towel won’t come unraveled and take up unnecessary space.
Maybe you’re hosting guests, or perhaps towels are on display in your bathroom. Regardless of the reason, you can roll your towels for a spa-like presentation. Here’s how to roll your towels like hotels and spas do:
Folding socks is probably a no-brainer for most, but hey, let’s just cover all our bases! The hardest part about folding socks will be sorting through your laundry pile to find the matching pairs. It’s worth the hassle, though, to keep these garments organized so you can save space in your sock drawer.
Folding socks requires two easy steps:
Of course, different types of socks can benefit from different types of folding. For ankle socks, I recommend following this folding method:
If you have a lot of dress or crew socks, follow these steps to keep them organized in your drawer:
My underwear drawer can quickly start to overflow. I have found that proper folding is key to keeping it easy to open. Plus, it’s even easier to find what I’m looking for quickly.
To fold underwear:
I recommend taking extra care when folding delicate underwear. Delicate garments made with lace, silk, or satin should follow the same steps as above, but ensure they’re stored in a cool, dark place and away from anything in your drawers that may snag the fabric.
If you’re traveling, you can maximize space in your suitcase by rolling your underwear. Simply follow steps one and two. Then, starting at the long end, gently roll your underwear so that it is compactly rolled.
Now that we’ve covered the wardrobe essentials, let’s talk about how to fold some specialty clothing items that require a little more care.
Button-up shirts should be hung in most cases to avoid wrinkles. However, you can also fold these wrinkle-prone shirts in a pinch. I highly recommend following these steps to prevent creases from forming in the collar and preserving the shape of the shirt.
To fold button-up shirts:
I highly recommend storing your folded shirts stacked on a shelf since this makes finding and retrieving your items easier. If you have drawers, I recommend using drawer organizers to keep the stacks tidy.
Also, and I cannot emphasize this enough: keep the stacks small so you can easily remove them and return them to the drawers without making a mess of your other shirts.
Sweaters are often made with delicate materials. To ensure your sweater holds its shape and doesn’t stretch, I recommend folding them as opposed to hanging them on hangers.
Here’s how to fold sweaters without stretching them:
Take extra care when folding delicate knits like wool and cashmere. When storing them, I recommend using garment storage bags to keep them safe from dust and moths. Go the extra mile by including a cedar wood or lavender sachet in the garment bag—this will help repel bugs while also keeping your sweaters smelling fresh.
Workout clothes and leggings don’t have to take up a lot of space if folded correctly! Leggings can be folded using the technique described for jeans and pants: simply fold them in half lengthwise and roll them from the bottom seam to the waistband.
Tops, sports bras, and other activewear can be folded by laying them flat and folding the sides of the clothing to meet in the center. Then, fold the item into thirds to create a small, compact bundle that’s ready for your drawers!
My drawer organization has been transformed, thanks to the help of drawer organizers. These are especially useful for activewear which can come unfolded quickly, creating a messy drawer that’s difficult to navigate. These organizers help your clothes stay folded and allow you to organize by garment type so that everything is easy to find.
I’ve done a lot of business traveling over my career, and believe me when I say that there is nothing worse than arriving at your hotel with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes. However, properly folding your clothes before putting them in the suitcase helps minimize wrinkles.
Folding a suit can be especially difficult because, if folded incorrectly, it can take up most of your packing space! Here’s how to fold a suit to maximize your packing:
At the end of the day, some wrinkles are unavoidable. I recommend investing in a travel steamer especially if you travel regularly for work. This has helped me get rid of the wrinkles quickly and easily!
Now that all your laundry is folded, it’s time to put everything away. I have two favorite ways of organizing my folded clothes. The first, and perhaps most common, is stacking. I stack my sweaters on a shelf in my closet.
What I love about stacking clothes on shelves is how easy it makes finding and grabbing what I need. It’s simple and straightforward—no digging through drawers or bins. But let’s be honest, if you’re not careful, you can end up with a leaning tower of clothes that topples the second you pull something out.
To keep your stacks neat and manageable, keep them small—about 2-4 garments per stack, depending on the type of fabric and the space you have. Smaller stacks not only stay tidier but also make it easier to grab what you need without causing a wardrobe avalanche.
Another technique that I am a new devotee of is the vertical folding technique used by Marie Kondo. This storage method works best for bins and drawers so that the clothing is contained. For this method, stand clothes upright on their sides so that you see the folded edge. This optimizes drawer space so you can fit more in your drawers!
The proper tools and storage solutions can make life even easier when it comes to organizing your closet and drawers. I highly recommend investing in drawer dividers for optimal organization. These small, inexpensive storage tools help keep your clothes organized and folded within your drawers, reducing the risk of them becoming unruly and messy!
In my closet, I have two hanging shelf organizers for my folded sweaters and jeans. On the upper shelves of my closet, I use clear shelf dividers to keep my piles tidy.
Living in a New York apartment means every inch of space counts, so my family makes the most of our closets by swapping out clothes with the seasons. Out-of-season items, like bulky sweaters or summer dresses, are folded neatly and tucked away in fabric storage bags under my bed.
My kids have under-the-bed bins for their winter coats and heavy sweaters, which frees up precious space in their tiny closets. It’s a game-changer for keeping everything organized and making the most of our limited space.
Folding clothes is easy but can quickly become a mess if done incorrectly. Here are common mistakes to avoid when folding clothes and how to fix them:
I firmly believe that keeping your clothes neatly organized makes it easier and so much more fun to get dressed in the morning. Folding your clothes properly is only one part of keeping your closet neat and tidy.
Here are some additional quick tips to keep your wardrobe organized:
Folding your clothes might seem like a small task, but it can make a big difference. It keeps your wardrobe organized, maximizes storage space, and helps prevent wrinkles—all without the need for extra tools or gadgets. For a more organized home and a tidier closet, I definitely recommend taking a little extra time to learn the best folding techniques for your clothes.
If you’ve tried these tips or found this article helpful, why not share it with your friends? A little folding know-how can go a long way in keeping things neat and stress-free.
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