Fitted sheets have got a well-earned reputation for being one of the most annoying laundry items to fold. Unlike their flat sheet cousins, their elastic edges and rounded corners tend to bunch and curl, regardless of how carefully you manage them. Even for those skilled at perfectly folding shirts or towels, handling fitted sheets can still feel challenging.
Unfortunately, it’s not just about the design of the sheets. The sheet’s geometry is also an issue: folding anything with curves is not that simple. But not all hope is lost: With a little practice, you can ensure your fitted sheets end up looking like a neat and compact rectangle, and not the messy, rumpled oval that most attempts usually end up looking like.
It’s time to stop settling and learn how to fold your sheets in the most efficient way possible.
Read on to learn more tips, such as how to best wash your sheets and bedding, and why you should learn these laundry symbols or you might ruin your clothes.
How best to fold a fitted sheet
First, lay the sheet out on a flat surface like your bed or the floor. Then, grab one edge and tuck it into the edge directly across from it.
So, if you grab the right edge, tuck it into the left edge. It doesn’t matter if you’re tucking horizontally or vertically — just don’t tuck diagonally. Also, as you tuck, make sure the corner seams line up.
Tuck it in, smooth it out.
If you do this part right, the elastic will be folded down and the new edge of the sheet will be smooth, right angles. Do the same thing to the bottom corners.
When you’re done, your edges should look something like this.
Final steps
The hardest part is now over, and you just need to smooth out the edges and corners. If the sheet won’t lie perfectly flat, don’t panic. The bumps will be hidden by the time you finish folding it.
Now, you should have a rectangle-ish shape to work with. Fold the sheet in halfso that the elastic edges are hidden, smooth out the corners and fold the sheet in half again. Keep folding it in half until you have a nice, neat bundle.
This will probably take some practice — it definitely took me a few times to perfect. Give it a few tries and you’ll have folded linens that you can easily store without all the hassle.
A tidy fitted sheet can be achieved.
Bonus: A quick shortcut
There is another, albeit lazier, way. You can just fold your sheets however you want, then stuff them into a matching pillow case. Your linen closet will still look tidy and no one will ever know.
Fitted sheet FAQs
Why are fitted sheets hard to fold?
The difficulty with folding fitted sheets lies in their design. This type of bedding has a stretchy, elastic edge and curved corners made to snugly fit around a mattress. It means when you lay one flat, it’ll always curl inward rather than stay in place, making it as if you’re folding a round sheet rather than a rectangle or square.
Do fitted sheets have any benefits?
While fitted sheets can be a task to fold, they are some of the best bedding options on the market. If you toss and turn in bed, these will help by not bunching up beneath you. And their elastic corners make it really easy to quickly change your sheets when it’s time for laundry.
What can I use instead of a fitted sheet?
If you don’t have a fitted sheet for any reason, a flat sheet works just as well. As long as it helps cover your mattress, you’ll be able to use whichever sheet suits you.
