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Pop Quiz: How to Fold a Towel the Martha Way?

2008-03-24-marthatowel.jpgWe didn't know there was a way to fold a towel "properly", but, of course, why wouldn't there be? First take a guess on which is the "right" way to do it and then jump below to see if you'd get a gold star from Martha...

 
 

The top answer is the correct one according to this "More from Martha" page on the Macy's site - folding in thirds lengthwise and then into a rectangle is the way. In Martha's words, "a properly folded towel has a neat, fluffy appearance and hidden edges".

Hidden edges! We hadn't been thinking about that at all - we actually have been folding as described in the middle answer - in half and then in half again a few times, ending up with a nice square-ish shape, but...with exposed edges! Shame on us!

How about you? Is it the Martha-method at your house or are you a towel-folding rebel?

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towels & bathware, Martha Stewart

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Comments (28)

I do the Martha way, except backwards:
Fold in half widthwise twice, and then in thirds.
You get the same result (hidden edges) but it's easier.

posted by nazrd on March 24th 2008 at 8:19am
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Seems like I do it the Martha way, its always been my moms way to me. It was one of those things she taught me as a little girl that I've been doing ever since.

posted by girlonthem00n on March 24th 2008 at 8:22am
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I do it the Martha way. But I must confess, I have the Martha Homekeeping Handbook and this is just one of the tricks I've learned.

posted by GlamGirl on March 24th 2008 at 8:27am
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"I do the Martha way, except backwards:
Fold in half widthwise twice, and then in thirds.
You get the same result (hidden edges) but it's easier."

Same here, but I don't fold it to be "Martha-Perfect"...
...I fold them that way to fit on the shelf in the bathroom.

posted by bepsf on March 24th 2008 at 8:31am
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you're kidding me, right? there's a "right" way to fold a towel?

posted by any such name on March 24th 2008 at 8:32am
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BTW, it is done this way so the towel can be easily put over a bar, while still in thirds lengthwise, which is how a it is supposed to hang.

just fyi...

posted by goonie on March 24th 2008 at 8:36am
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folding it into thirds also shows off any monograms that may be on the towel, rather than cutting them in half.

posted by voodoodle on March 24th 2008 at 8:39am
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Let's face it...we're all just having a little fun and playing along with this Martha thing. I think we all agree there are way more important things in life.

posted by nazrd on March 24th 2008 at 8:42am
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My towels NEVER get displayed in the open. I really don't understand the need to do so when you can keep them clean in a closet! So, for me, what matter is the size. I need to fold it so it fits into the space allocated for it.

posted by siongchinchan on March 24th 2008 at 8:47am
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I second nazrd and bepsf. Fold in half widthwise twice, then in thirds.

posted by Aaron on March 24th 2008 at 8:49am
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I worked in a bedding and bath shop when I was young, so it got drilled into me: thirds, then half. I still do it, and find towels take up less space in my closets and are very easy to unfold to put on a towel bar.

But the 'right' way? I don't think there is a right or wrong way, as it won't affect the actual towel.

posted by Grid on March 24th 2008 at 9:00am
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I love Martha, but she didnt invent towel folding for me. like nazrd, i'm giving props to my mom.

posted by steph309 on March 24th 2008 at 9:06am
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oops, i meant to second, girlonthem00n!

posted by steph309 on March 24th 2008 at 9:08am
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Towels are easy! Try the Martha T-shirt folding technique if you want a challenge: http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=72cbf95bf8564110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=tee%20shirt%20folding&rsc=header_10

It's based on Japanese folding. Craziness!

posted by darcidoodle on March 24th 2008 at 9:55am
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As with others, this is how my mother taught me to fold towels. It looks tidy and finished. I also make my bed with mitered corners -- hospital corners, as do all my female cousins on that side of the family, since that's how our mutual grandmother taught all our mothers. This can be heartwarming or sorta scary, depending.

posted by Deborah on March 24th 2008 at 10:02am
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I always say that exposed towel edges will be the downfall of civilization.

posted by Michael on March 24th 2008 at 10:09am
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Take homekeeping advice from my mother?! HA!!

(I once bought an ironing board because we didn't have one -- the rare times my mother ironed something she used a blanket on the kitchen counter -- she got mad and hid it in the basement...)

Needless to say, I am meticulous about my linen closet and discreetly refold any and all misfolded sheets (Martha taught me how to fold those too) and towels so that none of the edges are showing, and the towels are lined up, plumply neat and inviting.

We have very narrow shelves, so I have a more complicated technique: it is in half width-wise twice, then fold the 2 halves on top of one another; then fold the 2 end quarters in, then fold in half. I bought some towels from ABC Carpet and Home, and that is how they were folded.

posted by mschatelaine on March 24th 2008 at 10:37am
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I've always folded towels the "Martha" way, which, like some of you, I learned from my mother. I just prefer hiding the raw edges--looks much more finished.

I do something similar when wrapping gifts--"seam" the edge of the wrapping paper by folding it about an inch from the edge, so that the raw edge of the wrapping paper isn't visible.

Maybe that's just neurotic.

posted by Leslie in Portland on March 24th 2008 at 11:03am
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I do a variation of Martha because I don't like the edges showing anywhere. I fold in thirds lengthwise, then bring the two ends to meet each other and fold in half. It still comes out a rectangle, and you see one fold in front and two folds in the back, but no edges.

posted by EastVillageAmy on March 24th 2008 at 11:05am
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I fold in half length-wise twice, then thirds so that the border is on the outside on one end. It's the way my mum always did it and I can't break myself to fold any other way!

posted by first5times on March 24th 2008 at 11:52am
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I don't fold my towels, I hate creases in them. I just roll them up and put them in a drawer.

posted by TheoJ on March 24th 2008 at 12:41pm
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MARTHA....OCD taken to the extreme...Thankfully they have medication for this now.

And how do I fold my towels?...None of The Above thanks very much.

posted by hdtex on March 24th 2008 at 1:44pm
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I'm the only one in my family who neatly folds towels (they make me happy). Nice to see many others are like me!

posted by stephanieokay on March 24th 2008 at 4:22pm
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oh my god!

posted by Joan in SB on March 24th 2008 at 5:20pm
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I find that rolling saves a lot of space in the linen closet.

posted by farmhousemoderne on March 24th 2008 at 6:11pm
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Funny, I fold them the top answer...but figured that was wrong, so answered the bottom! Actually, only hand towels get folded this way. The rest get folded to fit into the closet.

posted by Alana in Canada on March 24th 2008 at 8:08pm
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Half and Half again, then thirds. with the ribbing on the outside. Thats how we do it at the Spa! For towels propped in the shower or stacked by the Jacuzzi, we omit the 3rds and roll. I have since taken these methods home with me!

posted by rebecca326 on March 24th 2008 at 9:34pm
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My bathroom closet is actually an old buffet and so my towels have to fit in a drawer. They only if if I fold them in half and then half again. If I fold them Martha's way I can't get the drawer to close!

posted by enfleurage on March 25th 2008 at 5:52am
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