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!
Bols
I just watched on a computer with no sound and I am impressed. I have watch it again on my laptop at home, mainly to hear if Karen is explaining the few dancy moves she made during the video. :-)
It made me think of my Zumba classes.
Sherri
You nailed it, Karen! I've been folding fitted sheets like this for years, but I can't remember how I learned to do it this way. When I watched your first "how to fold a fitted sheet" video, I really did mean to let you know there was a better way, but I couldn't figure out how to tell you what that way was so I let it go. Yeah, I've been called lazy before so go ahead and let me have it. Just know how proud I am of you right now, Blondie! :) And I agree with magali---now we need to see Betty do it.
magali
I really thought that we would get to see Betty folding the sheet at the end of the video. I am a little disappointed.
Elle
It works! When I saw the video I just had to drop everything (luckily I was in front of the desktop and not with the laptop) and go fold a fitted sheet.
Works like magic!
And you are so sweet in the video! (may I say you are sweet or is that a breech of blogger-reader contract?)
Now you must do a video about washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen to make me run and do that, too.
Have a great weekend!
carolmcc
after finally treating yourself to those nice linen sheets, you do realize of course, that the REALLY easy way to fold a fitted sheet is not to own any...off the bed, into the wash, back on the bed...sometimes owning multiples of things is more of a pain in the a** than having just one that you must deal with immediately. kinda like husbands/significant others.
Karen
carolmcc - Yes, I only use 2 flat sheets now. (the 2 linen sheets from Rough Linen) I figured out and did the video of the fitted sheets because most people do own them and fold them. Or try to fold them. Or scrunch them. So basically I did it all for you guys. Because I'm selfless that way. I might do a post on chocolate cake for everyone. Because I'm so selfless. ~ karen
Maji
You are a genius! One, you keep it simple. Two, you keep it funny! And three, you give us fans skills to solved problems. Thank you!
Nancy
OK..I was out of town all day..so I promise to try it tomorrow..I wanted to see Betty do it..very tired ..must sleep now..zzzzz
Anemone
Ok...this is my report. I did it Karen.! I folded it just like yours. Your video was great and entertaining too. So Success! I only had the one with the elastic band all around at the time. But it worked. I was confused at first cause my red sheet was like a big puff all round. I had no idea it was gonna come together. But it worked!The big red puff is gone.
Karen
Excellent! It's kind of pathetic but all I want to do is show people how to do this now. I'm thinking of going out on the street and doing it. ~ karen
Pati
Not to toot my own horn,but my momma taught me how to fold a fitted sheet just like this when I was but a wee lass.... ;o) I will say that she NEVER taught me your dance steps tho so on that merit ALONE, I found your video IMMENSELY informative! ;o)))
Chrys
You are a genius. A very funny genius. I never realized how much the dishevelment of my fitted sheets bothered me until I watched your video. Now they are kempt. I thank you.
Tricia Rose
Stonehenge has been figured out, didn't you know? And I stood in the middle of the henge for sunrise on the winter solstice of the millenium and sang the gayatra mantra (ignoring the Druids), and if iI hadn't the world would have gone into a dark place...
Are you still using fitted sheets Karen?
Karen
No ma'm. No more fitted sheets. (I mentioned that in one of the comments. I thought I'd still need a set of regular sheets to use in between washings of your sheets but ... I just wash yours and put them back on the bed immediately. :) ~ karen!
Andrea T
The way I go is slightly longer, but the end result is the same. All my fitted sheets also have lots of elastic. :(
I do 2 corner sets separately and then bring them together. I kind of figured it out myself in a moment of anguish about two years ago. Can't believe I didn't figure it out before!
Jane
The more I watch your videos the more I realize I have seen you before.
On T.v Perhaps?
Karen
Jane - Yes. That's my *actual* job. I'm a television host and writer. I was on CFMT in between the Jerry Springer show and David Letterman etc., MuchMoreMusic, W Network hosting a makeover show, HGTV hosting various shows and back to W Network for a few shows. And some other stuff in between. ~ karen
Evalyn
While I admire your perseverance AND your ability to step ball-change while folding a sheet, I.AM.NOT.FOLDING.FITTED.SHEETS. Period.
Marguerite Floyd
I'm with Evalyn from February 9, 2012!
carey
Oh my gosh, that was both informative and hilarious! I can't wait to share your video!
Dave Cross
Wait, there's a video? I see not link for the video, and my eyes began to cross at about step 5...
Amanda
That almost makes me want to go home and fold my wadded up, king-sized bed sheets. Almost.
OK, OK, I know I need to. :P
THANK YOU!
Allyson
All this training can be avoided by not having extra sheets. Wash them, put them back on. No folding, no storing.
OR, do as I do, use a larger flat sheet as a bottom sheet (King size flat on queen bed) and tuck on all sides - saves the gymnastics required for putting a fitted sheet, particularly a shrunken one, onto the 4 corners of a mattress.
G.P.
What if you have a king size bed? I find no matter if its a fitted sheet or a king size comforter it always seems too small. Especially when my hubby hogs the covers!
Susan
Nope, not the end of the folded sheet videos.
Can you show me how to fold a FLANNEL KING SIZE sheet OUTSIDE. (With your back to the camera, of course.)
I hang my laundry outside. You should see me dance and wad my way to the basket so the sheet won't touch the ground....
Thank you Karen!!
Marie
Hi Karen, my mom (also Betty by the way) taught me to iron my sheets so they'll take up less room in the linen closet and are nice and crisp when you need them. They're also easier to fold when pressed and ironing is relaxing for me. Video looks complicated to me but I'll try it!
Way back when I had dance lessons, it was step-ball-chain (you mimic having a ball and chain attached to your leg).
Heather
Hi Karen. Just to add to the challenge, I folded a fitted flannel double (or full) sheet with elastic all around.
Couldn't make it more awkward, but it worked!!
Except, it didn't fit the shelf in my linen closet beside 2 other pairs. :(
BUT, I figured it out -- I folded it in half the other way, so it is longer and narrower. Then when I folded it in thirds, it was wider and shorter than your narrower and longer one. Confusing, I know, but it fits in the closet! YAY!!
I'm going to try to teach my husband! He always leaves the fitted sheets to me -- he does the pillow cases, and helps with the flat sheet.
By the way, I'm 68, and there were no fitted sheets when I was a child. We used flat on top and on the bottom, with hospital corners to keep it tidy. Much easier to fold!! When a sheet got worn in the middle, Mum would cut it lengthwise, and sew the edges together to make a new middle.
A great big thank you for demonstrating with your back to the camera -- so helpful :)