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Fitted sheets don’t really need any further introduction – everybody knows what they are and everybody also knows how much of a pain in the behind they are to fold. Well then, fret not for the days of haphazardly throwing fitted sheets into the back of your linen closet are over – we have broken down all the steps on how to fold a fitted sheet 5-star hotel style.
Steps for how to fold fitted sheets
The step-by-step process for folding fitted sheets is:
- Lay the sheet on a flat surface
- Put the bottom corners into the top corners
- Fold the sheet into a rectangle
- Fold the rectangle again
- Add additional folds if necessary for storage
An exquisitely folded fitted sheet seems like an impossibility, especially for us plebes, but it can be done. While you can find many a helpful tutorial online that may offer a load of different tips and tricks (from Martha Stewart Living to The Home Edit), what we have here is a simple, no-frills approach to fitted (and flat sheet) folding.
Fitted sheet folding is an art form that can be learned in just a few simple steps and the secret is in the elastic edges – yep, the exact same thing that makes a fitted sheet so hard to fold.
Step 1: Lay the sheet on a flat surface
First of all, find yourself a nice flat surface. Depending on the size of your fitted sheet, either a large table or even your bed will do nicely.
Lay your fitted sheet on the flat surface inside out – meaning each corner with an elastic edge facing you. Make sure you can clearly see all four corners and corner seams.
Now some tutorials on folding a fitted sheet may require you to stand up and swap hands while tucking in corners with a lot of precise pinching here and there but I (being the hotheaded and impatient person that I am) find this to be tedious and confusing. Why on earth would you want to give yourself more work??
Step 2: Put the top corners into the bottom corners
Now for the most important bit: take the two top elastic corners and tuck them into the bottom elastic corners, making sure to flatten out any airy, bulky bits as you go.
You may also tuck the left hand corner into the right corner or vice versa. It’s all up to you as long as after tucking, the elastic bits of the fitted sheet should form into a U-shape and you should still have the two corners with the elastic facing you.
Don’t worry about getting a straight edge at this stage – that comes later.
Step 3: Fold the sheet into a rectangle
Fold the fitted sheet a thirds lengthwise. This should give you a long rectangle that matches the tucked in corners.
Doing this ensures that you match the bunches created by the tucked in and folded elastic corners. Be forewarned: it’s not going to look quite as neat yet at this point. Again, keep flattening the fitted sheet as you go.
Step 4: Fold the rectangle again
Here’s where you see the magic happen – fold the rectangle you just made onto the folded elastic part et voila: you now get a neat rectangle that’s seamless and ready to be folded and stored however you like it.
Step 5: Add additional folds if necessary for storage
Obviously, for storing and to save space, you can (should really) fold the fitted sheet into however many times horizontally as you want. We prefer 3-4 folds, depending on the size of the fitted sheet. Sheets for oversized mattresses might take a little more.
There you have it, you now have a fitted sheet folded worthy of a Pinterest pin.
Tips for folding fitted sheets
Still not convinced? Or ready to throw in the towel (throw those sheets away) after 50,000 attempts? Don’t worry. Here are a few tips on how to get those fitted sheets under your control.
Ask someone for help
Call a friend.
Calling a friend is an LPT (life pro tip). Enlist someone’s help when it comes to fitted sheet folding, preferably someone who’s 1. a card carrying homemaker (i.e. your mom) 2. very adept at laundry and housework 3. an incarnate of Marie Kondo.
Make sure you have a flat surface nearby
Forget those TikTok and IG reels hacks – folding a fitted sheet while standing up can wreak havoc on your stress levels. Always find a flat surface to work on. Be it a table, your bed, the floor, your yard – always work on a flat surface.
Fold immediately after washing
It’s easier to fold a fitted sheet when it’s freshly washed and still super crisp from drying. The crispness helps create sharp and neat edges and also helps lessen any bunching. Trust us on this.
Bonus tip: This should only be utilized when everything else has failed. Use your fitted sheet immediately after washing. Martha Steward said so.
FAQs
Fitted sheets are so difficult to fold due to their elastic edges, especially if the elastic bands are on the thicker side. Since the edges are curved on all sides, getting a neat, folded edge is difficult when folding a fitted sheet.
Contrary to popular belief, people really fold their fitted sheets, albeit in the normal, non-Marie Kondo sort of way. Otherwise, how are they supposed to store them?
Conclusion
For many (including myself), folding a fitted sheet seems like a total no-brainer but in reality can be one of the most tedious and annoying things you can do. But it doesn’t have to be!
We’ve given you the easiest and fastest way to fold a fitted sheet that can not only help you save time and space but can also make your linen closet look as though you’ve got your life all together (even if it’s not, we won’t judge).
And when in doubt, you can always do what Martha Stewart does.
Next step: Read our Jennifer Adams sheet set review. We like the brand because their sheets are high thread count, comfortable, and a great value. If you’re in the market for a new set of sheets, Jennifer Adams is definitely a brand to consider.
Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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