How To: Fold a Fitted Sheet

Nothing irks us more than when something gets in the way of us and a tidy closet. Especially if we're stressed the quickest relief is to take an evening and make the closet shine. But one thing generally stand in the way. Fitted sheets. They simply do not want to go into a neat little square in a way that would really make the linen closet (re: the one shelf above the sink that has any room left over for sheets that aren't currently on the bed) Martha worthy. Finally a solution we can handle:

There are a number of slightly nuanced ways to accomplish the same folded rectangular sheet. They all involve folding the rounded corners into one another. Our favorite is this youtube video for How To Fold A Fitted Sheet Like a Pro which features a middle aged husband giving us the breakdown, very matter of fact and scientific.

If you're at work or don't want to stream a video then try Catie Cake's photo instructions or this one from Real Simple.

Image from Real Simple and the container store.

Comments (25)

Very cool. I think the demo sheet in the video is actually the same as mine too!

posted by JH4285 on January 15th 2009 at 4:19pm
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Makes me want to say TA DA!!

posted by outonalimb_2008 on January 15th 2009 at 4:37pm
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every fitted sheet i own is currently draped across the sofa (a week and counting) 'cause these instruction things never work and i can't stand balling them up anymore. they take up too much room.

posted by Lady J on January 15th 2009 at 4:50pm
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Awesome helpful.

The description for the YouTube video made me giggle. I'm 12 today.

posted by Automatic Blonde on January 15th 2009 at 4:50pm
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I love AT!!! I was folding one last night and thought, that would be awesome if AT did a "how-to" on this... and today! really! its like AT has mind readers I swear. It's not the first time that has happened either!

posted by alittleltc on January 15th 2009 at 5:02pm
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My boyfriend and I were talking about our inability to fold fitted sheets a couple of days ago. This is very timely and useful.

Thanks.

I think I might go home and try this out.

I can't believe I'm excited to fold sheets. I'm a geek.

posted by sciencegeek on January 15th 2009 at 5:08pm
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My housekeeper taught me how to do this!

posted by Kathryn on January 15th 2009 at 5:31pm
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I was caught about 2 weeks ago standing in front of the computer, fitted sheet in hand, looking very confused, using the Martha instructions, which is essentially the way the "middle age husband" taught on youtube. It worked, but mine still didn't look that good.

posted by rebeldress on January 15th 2009 at 5:33pm
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wow. I might actually have to try this. I always try to fold them, it never goes well, then they end up in a folded/roll/ball type of thing.

posted by Matt. M on January 15th 2009 at 5:45pm
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I can thank my mother for showing me how to fold a fitted sheet. She's the master. Mine never look as good as hers.

It seems silly to be sentimental about a fitted sheet, but it means a lot that she showed me how to do simple things like this.

posted by Hoonuit on January 15th 2009 at 5:57pm
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This is one of my favorite guilty pleasures ... watching people miserably attempting to fold fitted sheets at the laundromat. It's a great way to pass the time while I'm waiting for my clothes to dry ;-)

posted by ridge_van_winkle on January 15th 2009 at 5:58pm
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really? does this attention to detail make anyone else feel a little badly about using my method? (that being rolling the fitted and flat sheet in a big ball and shoving it repeatedly onto the top shelf of the closet repeatedly, while swearing, until it stays.)

posted by NorNor on January 15th 2009 at 6:00pm
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Although I use this method (I learned it from Martha) - I never worry too much about how it looks...
...because I use Martha's other tip about putting the entire set of sheets into one of the pillowcases before placing it in the closet.

posted by bepsf on January 15th 2009 at 6:22pm
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Or you could just use to play parachute like we did as small kids, whipping it up into the air and then sneaking underneath while it forms a bubble overhead.

posted by Indy Jeffrey on January 15th 2009 at 6:22pm
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I've always wanted to know how to do this!!! Thank you Apt. Therapy

posted by sassifrass on January 15th 2009 at 7:06pm
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When I was in high school one of my best friends said "Anyone who doesn't know how to fold fitted sheets are complete idiots." I didn't mention to her that at that point I didn't know how to fold fitted sheets. That is one of the only moments I can remember where my friend seemed so stuck up and high and mighty.

I use this method as well. My aunt taught me how to do it after both my mom and I marvelled at the sheets she folded and left on the bed after she stayed at our house.

posted by girlonthem00n on January 15th 2009 at 7:15pm
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Totally geeky and you can bet I'm going to try this. It was truly satisfying in a Martha-esque way to watch that video.

posted by Pixie on January 15th 2009 at 8:06pm
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hi y'all! I'm a soft goods stylist, and here's another tip for your fitted sheet... after you put it on the bed, mist it with some water.... get's all the wrinkles out! Yay!

posted by sooocute on January 15th 2009 at 10:57pm
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i found it hard to watch and listen. and i can tell you in advance i could not execute on that. but what's the fascination with fitted sheets in the first place? go flat!

posted by Johnp on January 15th 2009 at 10:59pm
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my fascination with fitted sheets: a boyfriend who for some reason manages to pull even the fitted sheets off the corner of the bed in his sleep.

posted by sciencegeek on January 15th 2009 at 11:49pm
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That guy on YouTube is hired.

posted by wild-er on January 16th 2009 at 12:47am
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Just ball it up and don't look in that drawer unless you have to.

posted by proper on January 16th 2009 at 2:31am
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um, i'm kind of shocked that anybody had not already figured out how to do this. i mean, maybe somebody showed me at an early age or something, but it just seems obvious. i guess perhaps it depends on just how much you dislike the alternative of bunching them into a distasteful ball.

posted by le_sacre on January 16th 2009 at 5:11am
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I've used the instructions of that flickr page with great success. My sheets always looked like a hot mess before, it always bugged me!

Her kitty is such a great helper too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catiecake/22235932/

posted by gryt on January 16th 2009 at 11:04am
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I found this really great video on youtube for a new product called Fit&Fold. It makes folding fitted sheets so easy. Each button is labeled so it makes folding practically fool proof. I tried it out and it really is such a time saver. It only took me a few seconds to fold my sheet! You should definitely take a look at it! Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe4mAF2N56g

posted by danny26 on April 8th 2009 at 3:44pm
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