Knowing how to fold a fitted sheet is a deceptively tricky endeavor—one false move, and you’ve got yourself a mess that looks more like a bundle than bed sheets. Unlike top sheets and pillowcases that have a flat surface that makes putting away these bed linens a cinch, folding a fitted sheet with rounded, bunched edges makes the prospect of folding them seem like an exercise in futility.
“Fitted sheets can vary depending on the material and depth of mattress,” says Anisha Rajopadhye, merchandising manager of bedding at Quince. “While you can get away with a simple fold method for crib fitted sheets, any standard fitted sheet requires that you first tuck the corners to create a rectangular shape, and then fold into thirds lengthwise until you have a compact square.” Clearly anything with elastic corners that lives in your linen closet requires folding savvy, especially if dealing with a duvet cover seems easier.
It makes sense that you may feel intimidated and come to accept that the elastic edges mean that your fitted bed sheet is bound to be, well, bound into some sort of roll-up. Don’t give up just yet. “You aren’t going to necessarily master folding a fitted sheet on your first try, so you can’t get overwhelmed and give up,” says Janelle Cohen, founder of Straighten Up by Janelle and author of The Folding Book: A Complete Guide to Create Space and Getting Organized. “Take it slow, don’t let the amount of fabric get the best of you, and take it step-by-step.”
Follow our expert guide on how to fold fitted sheets without getting all tangled up.
What is the simplest way to fold a fitted sheet?
If you only have a few minutes to tackle laundry, don’t let folding a fitted sheet slow you down. Because of elastic corners, a fitted sheet is rounded so that the sheet can easily (at least in theory) adhere to the edges of your mattress. If you try to fold it as you would a flat sheet, it will likely look puffy. That’s because all the air gets trapped in the elastic edges. Crib sheets, which are typically 10 inches deep, may be an exception due to their smaller size. You might be able to get away with less pouf by folding them into vertical thirds, then again into thirds horizontally, Rajopadhye explains.
“For standard fitted sheets, lay them on a flat surface, so you can smooth out wrinkles and align edges more seamlessly,” says Rajopadhye. “Fabrics that are smoother and more prone to slipping will be easier to maneuver out on a table versus folding on your bed.”
Trickier are the fitted sheets with double elastic inserts. “While great for a snug fit on your mattress, it can create extra bulk when folding,” says Melanie Kaplan, product development merchant at The Company Store. “To handle this, focus on the inner elastic layer first, tucking it neatly into a rectangle. Once this is smooth, fold the outer elastic layer over to finish.”
