Have you ever wondered how to fold shirts, t-shirts, tops and knitwear so neatly like they do in stores?

Before I worked (for a brief time) in fashion retail, when shopping, I’d want to look at items on the shelves, but could never put them back on the stack how they were folded.

This was embarrassing for me, I know others are quite happy to leave it for the shop assistants to sort – but I always felt bad about making a mess, and later, rather sorry for the poor assistant who had to fold and re-fold day in, day out.

I learnt this technique and thought I’d share it, because it not only saves me from the shame of messing up a store display, but it keeps my closet so organized, everything in a uniform size, and makes it easier to find the shirts I want to wear in the morning.

This technique works for vests, tops, t-shirts, shirts and knitwear. It’s also good for packing for your travels.

Step One

Lay the shirt face down on a flat surface smoothing out any creases. (Excuse my un-ironed shirt).

Step Two

Fold in the right-hand side into the center of the shirt – use the outside of the neckline as the ‘fold’ guide. It may not reach into the center if they are a small size. Don’t fold further in than the neckline.

Step Three

Fold in the left-hand side just the same.

Step Four

Now fold the bottom of the shirt one third up (it should reach just about under the sleeve).

Step Five

Fold the top of the shirt over the meet the bottom fold. Then you might need to spin it round to face you!

Et Voila!

Your shirts will now stack neatly they they do in the stores. Your drawers will be more organized and if you are like me, you’ll no longer feel guilty about putting back a shirt in the store if it started off beautifully folded.

Extra Folding Tip

For longer sleeves, just fold them down along the length of the shirt.

Ahhh, sometimes it pays to be slightly O.C.D.

Is this how you fold your shirts?

I did a little research on the internet and found a fab way to fold towels that keeps them orderly, neat, and well, less embarrassing to look at should my Mother open my closet. She always had her particulars on how even what was behind closed doors reflected your organized (or dis-organized) mind.

They also look lovely sat at the foot of your guest bed – much like a 5* hotel would present towels (unless they like to present them in ornate swan shapes, in which case, I am afraid I can’t help you here gals)!

How to fold towels – Step-by-step guide

You can take your crumpled towel and turn it into a thing of beauty. I see beauty in the simplest of things. Can’t you tell? Who’d have thought I’d find learning how to fold towels an ‘exciting’ topic.

Step One:

Take your towel and lay it out face-down on a flat surface, making sure the longest edge is facing across you. I find fresh from the dryer or line is best as the shape will ‘set’ better.

Step Two:

Take the edge facing you and fold it one third (1/3) into the center of the towel.

Step Three:

Take your other third and fold it over the first third, not quite reaching the outer edge leaving the slightest gap. If it were to reach the edge you’d see the ‘hem’ in the finished shape – not pretty.

Step Four:

Now take the edge on the right and fold that inwards almost to the middle.

Step Five:

Take your left side and also fold this into the middle, but make sure to leave a 1cm gap in the middle to allow for the height of the fold.

Step Six:

Now fold one half on top of the other, and viola, you have a beautifully folded towel with no hems showing and it looks gorgeously neat.

Your towels will now stack neatly.

Or, if you prefer to, you can lay them in your closet to stand and face you. They are so neatly packed they’ll even stand to attention. How cool is that? Even towels will obey your every command, even if the kids and dog won’t!

Step Seven:

Now go make your self a coffee or pour yourself a glass of wine and revel in how you are such an amazing Domestic Goddess with a perfectly organized linen closet.

If you enjoyed this article on how to fold towels and you like to keep a super organized home, check out my other post on How to organize and store your DVD’s.

So there it is, how to fold towels beautifully.