How to Fold a Fitted Sheet Without Going Crazy

Of all the items kept in a linen closet that require basic folding skills, knowing how to fold a fitted sheet is probably one of the most difficult. Because towels and top sheets for every mattress size have one important thing in common: a smooth surface. Fitted sheets, on the other hand, have rounded, bunched elastic corners that make the prospect of folding them seem like a futile exercise. One wrong move and you have a quilted mess that looks more like a wad of fabric than sheets. You know you need a folding lesson when putting down a duvet cover seems easier.

And yet, when done right, a folded sheet can look as neat as a clean stack of pillowcases. “Another benefit of folding sheets properly is that the linens remain smoother and tidier,” says Dean Tomihama, vice president of creative design at Sferra, an Italian fine linen brand. “Crumpled sheets certainly don’t look good on a bed.” Additionally, a properly folded fitted sheet saves storage space and allows you to fit multiple sets in a linen closet, “so you don’t have to rummage around and create frustration,” he adds .

Learn how to easily fold a fitted sheet (even if it’s a king bed!) with a simple step-by-step guide from Anki Spets, a bedding expert and founder of Area, the New York City-based homewares company . Don’t be surprised if you show off this skill on laundry day as if you were Marie Kondo.

How to fold an elastic fitted sheet?

Most fitted sheets have elastic edges, so the short and long sides of the sheet can (at least in theory) easily cling to the edges of your mattress. The best part about this process is that you don’t need any tools other than your hands, a flat surface like a table or bed, and a little patience to complete this task. You may need to practice a few times before you’re comfortable, but once you get the hang of it, it will feel like you’ve mastered a common adulthood puzzle.

It’s a good idea to do this task as soon as your cotton sheets or linen sheets come out of the dryer to keep the fabric smooth and wrinkle-free in your linen closet – if you can avoid wrinkles in your sheets, why not?

Remember: the first time you do this might be difficult. As long as you keep an eye on the corners of the sheet and start from the beginning with the elastic facing you, you have this DIY covered.

Step 1

Begin by placing your hands in the corners of your fitted sheet so that its long side lies across your body (lengthways). The elastic side of the sheet, not the fabric side, should be toward you. Hold the fitted sheet in front of you. Place your hands in the top two corresponding corners. This step might be easier if you’re standing, especially if you’re dealing with a king-size leaf.