Monday, August 8, 2011

The Art of Folding Towels and Linens

When I envision the perfect linen closet, I picture something Martha Stewart would create.
Image from MarthaStewart.com 
What makes this closet so visually appealing?  For starters, everything is neat and organized.  One of the most important elements that help create it's neat and organized appearance is that it is filled with beautifully coordinated sheets and towels all folded perfectly.  
Image from MarthaStewart.com
Even if you don't have perfectly coordinated sheets and towels for your home (really, how many of us do?) you can make the most of what you have by learning to fold them uniformly.  It's really not as hard as you would think.

First:  Start with your largest towels...typically a bath towel.  Usually I begin with freshly washed and dried towels.  I like to fold on top of my washer and dryer, however any flat surface will do.  I lay the towel out and hand smooth until all the wrinkles have disappeared (or at least mostly).

Second: Lengthwise, I fold the towel into thirds.  I can play with the width depending on the width of the shelves I will be putting the towels on.


Third:   I start folding toward the center until I am two-thirds done.  Then I fold the other side in toward the center. Then fold together.

Voila!
The same folding method works on your sheets as well.
To demonstrate I used a twin sheet set, however the same applies to any size.
   I fold the sheet in half and then in half again.
Then fold in into thirds the same way as the towels.
Fold toward the center for first two-thirds, then fold from other side, then fold together.
The fitted sheet works the same way with one variation.  Once you have folded the fitted sheet in half, you must tuck the fitted corners into each other before folding into thirds.
Then fold into thirds and follow directions above.
In no time, your sheets are folded perfectly.
Image from MarthaStewart.com
With these easy steps you linen closet can look like Martha Stewart's in no time.

Hope you have a great day!

-Judy

24 comments:

  1. I needed this! My linens stress me out! :)

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  2. I'm somewhat OCD abou my linen closet.
    I still struggle folding a fitted sheet so I save the for when my Mom comes over, she does it for me! lol

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  3. Looks good and it's so hard to fold a fitted sheet! Yours looks wonderful.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  4. Wish my linen closet looked like Martha's! I keep more than linens in my linen closet so I use baskets to keep it neat.

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  5. I'm interested in what your folding on. What is that?

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  6. I fold the same way Judy!! I actually just got motivated to give my linen closet a once over and while it doesn't look like Miss Martha's, it does look tons better. I'm determined to teach my kiddos how to properly fold a fitted sheet before they move to their own homes! Those are the worst! :-)
    Vanessa

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  7. I am quite certain you would faint dead away from horror if you could look in my closet.

    ;)

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  8. I've kept this same image of Martha Stewart's linen closet for many years!! To be honest, I've never quite achieved it, but with your great tutorial, I may give it another try!!

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  9. This is great. Thanks for the insight :)
    I'm your newest follower!

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  10. Great hints. The folded sheet are the tricky ones. Thanks for sharing. Ginger

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  11. wow, you're good! Towels I good with, but I still roll my sheets into a bunch and throw them in the linen cupboard LOL.

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  12. I am forwarding this post to my husband, who is the worst towel folder on the face of the earth. Thanks for the tips!!

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  13. Interesting! I've always folded mine differently, but I'll have to try this way and see how I like it! I'm always up for a neat closet!

    I'm your newest follower!

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  14. I don't know if I will ever get the fitted sheet mastered but I will give your tutorial a whirl and see how I do. :) Thanks for sharing on Motivated Monday at BeColorful
    Pam

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  15. Yep Martha Stewart is my inspiration too! That's how I fold my towels and my sheets - love having my sheets all together!
    Kathy

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  16. I love the sheets thanks for posting, I am going to attempt this one day!

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  17. GOOD tut on the folding..not my strong suite at all!

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  18. Thanks for sharing, I always thought I had a good folding system. The system you showed is doable and quick, I love it. I hope you can join Design Gives Back for our Miracle Makeover reveal August 12-18 at www.designgivesback.com. I hope to see you there!

    Love,

    Sherry, The DGB Team

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  19. Hi Judy! Thanks so much for sharing this helpful post! I am featuring it today over at Homemaker in Heels! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)
    Crystal

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  20. My downfall has always been fitted sheets,but with your help I have finally mastered it.Now my linen closet looks almost as good as Martha's.

    http://trescherechattel.blogspot.com/

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  21. I love a well organised linen cupboard. Fitted sheets are a challenge for most of us, it just takes a little more patience..

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  22. I love you for posting this! Was I supposed to have learned this from mom? In home-economics class? Thank you!

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