How to Fold Towels in 5 Different Ways (They Work Every Time!)
Folding laundry seems to take forever when the load is full of items that each require a different folding method. Folding towels might seem monotonous in comparison, but I always feel a weird sort of triumph when I can fold and put away an entire load in five minutes flat.
If you’re looking to change up your towel folding ways so they look better (and neater) on a shelf or in your linen closet, here’s how to fold towels in five different methods.
These techniques can be used for various sizes, so you might want to experiment to see what’s easiest for your towels and storage space. For all methods, smoothing the towel on a flat surface first can help create neater folds.
How to Fold Towels in a Tri-Fold
This is my personal preference for folding towels. I keep my long bath sheets tucked away in a storage ottoman at the foot of my bed at Chez Zito, so this method keeps things neat and compact.
Fold the towel in half so that one short edge meets the other.
Fold the towel in half again, this time lengthwise.
Fold the towel in thirds, one fold converting the other.
Stack towels on top of each other so that the smooth, rounded edge is on top.
How to Fold Towels Using the Navy Folding Method
The various branches of the military are particular about the way personnel fold uniforms and towels. This is how to do a Navy fold, which will have your towels “standing at attention.”
Fold one long side of a bath towel toward the middle a third of the way.
Take the other side and fold it in so the edges meet. For smaller towels, fold the thirds so they cover each other instead.
Fold up the bottom third of the bath towel, then fold the top third over that fold. For smaller towels, just fold them in half.
Smooth out the folds, then stack the towels on top of each other with the rounded ends neatly facing you.
How to Fold Towels Using the KonMari Method
Most of Marie Kondo’s folding methods, whether for linens or clothing, are done so the items can be stored standing on edge in a drawer or on a shelf.
Fold one long side of a bath towel toward the middle a third of the way.
Take the other side and fold it in so the edges meet.
Fold the long rectangle in half, but leave a short gap so that the two ends won’t meet each other.
Fold the rectangle in half again, still keeping the short gap at the bottom.
Fold in half completely this time so that the edge of the gap now meets the folded edge.
Note that the nature of this technique might not work well for your thickest, fluffiest towels, but it works like a charm for smaller or thinner ones, like dish towels or beach towels.
How to Fold Towels Like a Hotel
Want your linen closet to look like the housekeeping staff just fixed up your hotel room? Here’s how to do it.
Fold one long side of a bath towel toward the middle a third of the way.
Take the other side and fold it in so the edges meet.
Fold one edge of the towel toward the middle of the long rectangle, then the other. Don’t let the edges meet — leave about a one- or two-inch gap between them.
Fold the towel in half again so that all the edges are tucked in neatly.
How to Fold Towels Like a Spa
If a hotel-style fold isn’t relaxing enough, upgrade to the spa treatment. This is probably the prettiest folding method on our list, so it’s a good option for storing towels in a basket.
Lay out the towel flat on a surface with the tag facing up.
Take one corner and fold at an angle to meet the other side of the towel so that half of the towel looks like a triangle.
Fold the towel in half longways.
Flip it over.
Start rolling tightly toward the triangle side of the towel.
Tuck the point into the towel so it stays tightly rolled.
Store in baskets or stacked on top of each other.
Remember that the easier a home organization habit is to maintain, the more you’ll do it. Choose the folding technique that works well for your space and towels, and you’ll keep your linen storage organized for far longer.
