How To Fold A Fitted Sheet

The fitted sheet is hands-down the most frustrating folding project in the laundry basket. But there is a secret to a tidy fold—work with the elastic instead of wrestling against it. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Spread your fitted sheet on a large flat surface such as a table or a bed, elastic edges facing up.

Step 2: Fold the sheet in half horizontally, tucking the fitted top corners neatly into the bottom corners.

Tip-6A_0359

 

Step 3: Tuck the elastic edges into each other as well. Smooth the edges flat.

Tip-6B_0327

 

Step 4: Fold the sheet so that all four fitted corners are on top of one another. Again, slide the top set of corners into the bottom set, lining up the corners neatly.

Tip-6C_0333

 

Step 5: Fold the sheet in half again, and then fold over the smooth side so that all the elastic is inside and you have a strip. Fold the short edges over each other until you’ve reached the size you want.

Tip-6D_0341

 

Step 6: Sandwich the fitted sheet in between the folds of the flat sheet so you keep like sets together. Don’t forget to include your pillowcases, too.

Stylist tip: When possible, machine-dry linens on a medium-heat setting. High heat will weaken the fabric more quickly. Remove linens from the dryer promptly to avoid wrinkles.