How to fold a fitted sheet so it lays nice and flat in your linen cupboard. I know. Crumpling it into a ball is easier. And more artistic. True. But if you live in a house with very little storage space, learning how to fold your fitted sheets properly will help you regain some room and sanity.
Yes. It's true. I tackled the greatest puzzle known to mankind. A puzzle more intriguing than the great pyramids, more mysterious than Stonehenge and more frustrating than the success of anyone who became rich and famous for having a (mediocre at that) sex tape.
How to fold a fitted sheet.
Several years ago I spent 2 months in training for this moment. I experimented, investigated and scoured the Internet for every folding a fitted sheet technique possible. I ate properly, got plenty of rest and drank 8 glasses of water a day. The result?
I gained 4 pounds, and peed a lot.
In between eating and peeing I figured out not only the easiest way to fold a fitted sheet, but also the technique that was the easiest to learn. I tested this technique by making my mother watch me do it once.
I then handed Betty the ceremonial fitted sheet and asked her to do what she just watched me do. It was a success. An actual success.
The BIG mistake people make when folding a fitted sheet is not sticking their hands into the corners from the proper direction.
The other big mistake people make is trying to just guess how to do it. You can't guess. You need to learn how to do it, memorize how to do it, then force other people to learn how to do it.
That's just the way it is.
I've included step by step instructions on how to fold a fitted sheet, but honestly, watching the video below will be the fastest way for you to learn. You just need a fitted sheet and a flat surface to fold the sheet on.
These instructions are for people who are right handed, but if you're left handed just - well you'll know what to do. Just reverse which hand you're using. You'll start off on the top two corners on the long side of the sheet. Ready?
How to Fold a Fitted Sheet.
How to fold a fitted sheet so it lays flat.
Materials
- 1 fitted sheet with partial or full elastic around it.
Instructions
- Hold the sheet so the wrong side (with the seams) is facing away from you and the right side, is toward you.
- Put your hand inside one corner (your hand will be touching the RIGHT side). Put your other hand in the opposite corner (your hand will also be touching the RIGHT side). You want your hands in the corners that are the length of the sheet. Not the width.
- Move your hands together and flip the corner that is on your left hand over your right hand. They'll be nestled together now on your right hand with your left hand free.
- Move everything to your left hand again.
- Run your right hand down the portion of the sheet closest to your body and find the corner.
- Slip your hand into the corner like before with your hand touching the WRONG (seam side) of the fabric. Stick that corner underneath the other corners on your left hand.
- Run your right hand down the sheet again until you find the final corner but this time stick your hand in the corner so it's touching the RIGHT side of the fabric. (the side without the seam). Stick that corner underneath the other corners on your left hand like before.
- Your sheet is now pretty much folded. Lay it on a flat surface and adjust it until it's a nice square. Fold in half, then fold in thirds. Done!
Notes
So the order your hands go into corners is right side, right side, wrong side, right side.
How to Fold A Fitted Sheet Part II
Yes, there are more ways to do this. Yes, they all work. But this one is the easiest to teach, the easiest to learn and the easiest to remember. I want you all to go and fold a fitted sheet. RIGHT NOW. Or at your earliest convenience as long as that's right now. Then report back!
The funny thing is - I don't use fitted sheets anymore. I use 2 flat sheets. A tip taught to me by Tricia Rose of Rough Linen.
To do this just cover your mattress with a flat sheet and tuck it all in tight. Then add your regular top sheet as you normally do. Unless you don't use a top sheet in which case there's nothing normal about you at all.
Now if you'll all excuse me, I have a pyramid to finish building. (I completed the sex tape last year and figuring out Stonehenge seems like more of a summer project)
Update: For everyone wondering if this technique works as well for sheets with elastic all the way around. I tested it. Works perfectly!
Larita
My God, woman, you crack me up. I don't have a problem folding my fitted sheets, but this looks like it would be easier once I did it a few times. I'd currently have to go unfold a fitted sheet to refold it and, really, I just don't have that much time on my hands.
Jenna
Holy smokes, batman, you've cracked the code! Thank you!
ev
What fun! I have been folding like this for awhile (married for gee, let me see, um, 45 freakin' years), but mine (sheets) don't look as flat as yours. Oh well. Thanks for the video, Karen.
Ann
I have never had the problem of folding fitted sheets. Seems I get one set of sheets that really fit a bed and I just take them off, wash them and put them right back on til they are so worn out that I have to go replace that set. I always swear I will get 2 sets at a time but I am never brave enough. I feel like I have to take the new set home and make sure they really fit and go thru the washer and dryer well enough before I buy a 2nd set. Then of course, I find tons of other things to spend my money on.
AmieM
Great video, thanks! Now take your spare sheets, and put them in the matching pillowcase. All ready to go!
Louise
After reading Teri's comment, I think I did it like her. It was as neat, I swear.
Karen
If you can manage to get two corners in one hand and shove them inside the other corner it would be fine, but if you grab the 2 last corners and just put everything together as opposed to snugging all the corners inside one another it isn't quite the same because you end up with 2 edges at the top as opposed to 1. Does that make sense? Or do I need to make a video? LOL! NOOOOO. No more fitted sheet videos. ~ karen
Louise
I think I understand what you mean. Let's put it that way, I'm pretty sure I ended up with the same square you ended up with at the end when you said it was almost folded and you finished it on the table. There were no bulges when it was completely folded, it was surprisingly flat.
Louise
Where were you yesterday when I was swearing while folding my sheets? lol I might unfold them just to try, although I might have to play the video a few times first, not sure I got it all. Plus, you're either much taller than me or you took a single bed sheet. I was struggling with a queen size bed sheet... Ok, I interrupted myself writing and went to try lol I think I skipped a step as I tucked in the two opposite corners at the same time at the end, not sure what I did... But I have to say, it worked really nicely :) I should have videotaped it haha!
Karena
Bravo Karena and Thank you so so much!! I cannot believe it has taken me this long to learn how to fold a fitted sheet!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Deb
Being a devoted follower of your sheet folding video's I must commend you on the decision to take the bold step (ball-change) of filming away from the golden artichokes(see How to Fold a Fitted Sheet Part 1). Having substituted a vase for the lack of golden artichokes (please don't try this at home)it was getting pretty expensive to fold sheets around here. I have found using an empty Campbell's tomato soup can to be an inexpensive substitute for the artichokes, but certainly not as pleasing to the eye.
Just an FYI @Karen & Karen & Betty & Betty, NO it is NOT a rule, however it is highly recommended that all Bettys name one of their children Karen...it just helps avoid a lot of confusion. My mom's name was Betty. My name isn't Karen, my mom was a renegade...she used flat sheets on the bottom and avoided the whole fitted sheet issue.
Karen
Hahhhh! ~ karen (btw ... my sheets from Rough Linen are just that ... 2 flat sheets. One for bottom, one for top. Works GREAT.)
Teri
I do it almost the same way except that I do both corners on both ends then marry the two ends together. Not as much thinking involved and it comes out the same....only easier...try it...
Karen
Teri - I have tried it and it actually doesn't come out quite the same. It's not as neat and believe it or not, not as easy. Try this ... you'll be hooked. Honestly. ~ karen
Alissa
Me too, Teri. I don't know about this whole "find a corner but hold the wrong side then find a corner but hold the right side" bit. Seems too confusing for me. I'll give it a shot, Karen, but I'm pretty happy with the pair + pair technique.
Karen
LOL. Trust me. It's easy. All you need to know is you touch the seam on the 3rd corner and don't touch the seam on the 4th. If I *didn't* tell you that little tip, it would be confusing! Voila. ~ karen
christine
I have a wedding to go to this June.Could you please make a cool dance video.To teach me, not to show at the wedding!
Gloria Westerman
Very Nice!!!! I believe you've got it!!!
Mary
Would like to see a video on how to fold a fitted sheet with elastic all around. I just end up wadded it up and shoving it in the linen closet.
Karen
Mary - The exact same way. This method works perfectly with elastic all the way around sheets. I've tried it myself to make sure. ~ karen
Karen
I must comment because my name is Karen & my Mother's name is also Betty!! Maybe it is a rule that all Betty's name one of their children Karen??
Anyway, I always though it would be a test for marriage to see if I could fold a fitted sheet!! I'm prett good at it now but also now don't care!!
Rose
Done and done! However, I'm in the same boat as Whitney. My "ends" didn't fold as nicely as yours. Still kinda floppy in the middle. Oh well practice practice practice!!!
Karen
Rose - Try again. You'll do fine. Just pull the excess in until it's straight, flatten it down with your hands and fold. (you probably have sheets with elastic all the way around ... they're puffier) I just did one like that last night and it worked perfectly, so I have faith you can do it. ~ karen
Debbie Neal
I think this is a lot better than your last lesson! I'm going to get a sheet and try it now!!!!!
Sharm's Outlet
Thank you so much for sharing... so when is Paula is going to show how to fold the sheets....
Pat Gibson
OMG! You are marvelous!! I have been trying to properly fold a fitted sheet FOR YEARS!!!
I have been fitting corners to corners, but not the way you did it one the video. It must have been the step ball change that made the difference! The really scary part is that I want to get out every misfolded fitted sheet I own and to REFOLD ALL OF THEM! Isn't that frightening?
I don't feel too bad about being in my 50s and finally learning this. We have a 91 year old friend, a retired rocket scientist, who has been on this same quest. (I'm not kidding about the rocket scientist part!) George asked my husband, an engineer, to help him figure it out. Now Keith does many things well, but he is totally out of his realm when cooking or laundry is involved. I just can't wait to show them it can BE DONE!
Yep, it's the Step Ball Change that makes the difference!!
Debbie A
Maybe I won't be rolling them in a messy ball now... will try this weekend and let you know.
They drive me crazy.
Denise
Ug. I have been trying to perfect this for a while. I can never get it to look like it should. They say after you fold the sheets and matching pillow cases to open one pillow case and place the sheets in there to stack neatly on the shelf....I have a ball of sheets in a pillow case. :/
I will keep trying......