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The act of folding is far more than making clothes compact for storage. It is an act of caring, an expression of love, and appreciation for how these clothes support your lifestyle. Therefore, when we fold, we should put our heart into it, thanking our clothes for protecting our bodies.”
-Marie Kondo, Organizational consultant.
Folding is a way to show respect to our clothes, and you will be surprised by how much it can increase the longevity of clothes. They look better for longer, too; who would not want that. If you have noticed some people’s clothes always look new but the clothes are quite old.
There are many folding techniques, but it quite depends on where you keep your clothes, how you keep them (stack, file, and so on), whether for the closet or travel, etc. Those were some of the factors.
As suggested in the title itself, to avoid the mess, store shirts in a drawer instead of shelves, and if you have to fold them small and line them up like library books, it will be more comfortable to use as on removing one all won’t fall.
This article will help you understand how to file a folded shirt and some different techniques and should not be used. We have attached some videos, as it might be difficult for you to understand something by reading them.
Try doing it as you read; maybe you can understand remember it better than that. Let us begin to learn some simple tricks and techniques to organize your shirt drawer.
So here are the Easiest 6 Ways to Fold a Shirt to Keep your Drawer and your Shirts look Pristine
Half Method of Folding
This is the most common and most known method of folding T-shirts. It can be called a default or a go-to folding method. This method is easy, does not take much time or space. You will understand why we call it the half method as we explain it.
Take your shirt and place it flat down (upside down) and try to flat down creases and wrinkles, if any. Imagine a vertical line right at the canter and fold right there. Fold the sleaves inwards until you see a straight-line outward forming a rectangle (vertically long one) and fold in half. And again, in half. You get it why it is called the half method, fold it in half thrice, and there you go.
It is not the quickest, not the most organized, or best maintaining, but it is most comfortable because of people’s muscle memory, as I said before, a default.
Marine/Army roll
This is the most space-efficient method, and that is why very popular amongst frequent travelers. It can also be counted on to stay tight no matter what, meaning if you are one of those who hate when clothes keep unfolding, then this is the one for you.
It is self-explanatory that it gets its name because the army most uses it, we like to call it the disciplined folding method because it stays strictly as you keep it.
So, let us get to how it is done, place the shirt flat down, take the bottom hem of the shirt, and roll it 3 inches upwards on the outside. Now fold a third (vertically) of the shirt from left in the center, then do the same from the right side (fold a third to the canter). Then start rolling as tight and neatly towards the bottom when you reach the end roll over the 3 inches that we folded initially.
This method might take more time than other methods, but if you want to save space or keep the stack folded for the longest, it might just be worth the time. This simple trick can keep your shirt drawer also organized your travel bag.
Watch the video (from 0.52 seconds) to understand better.
The Wizard Folding Method
Quirky name, right? We tried it, and when we got it right after snapping a few times, we feel like a wizard, we did not intend to worry you. It is easy; do not worry. Also, too(oxo) quick. Calling out to all the busy bees to try this, and thank us later. Now the responsibility of explaining wizard business in a few words falls on to us.
Place the tee flat down and imagine points A at the canter of a line that separates a third of the shirt from left, on the top of that line point B and C at the bottom. Do refer to the picture to clarify any doubt. Then pinch pint A with the left hand and B with the right one, you will see an exact straight line between the points.
Holding these two points firmly overlap the right-hand holding B to pinch hold points C and then fold the other right side third part.
You can further fold this in half to fit in a small drawer or while traveling, which is optional and recommended not to do if you do not like many folds.
In case we messed it up. Back up one, the picture. Back up two, watch the below video (from 2.52 secs precisely). Back up three, scroll down to another way ;). We got your back.
File fold – With a Prop
One of the quickest, neatest, and easiest ways for keeping a closet tidy. But most are not the biggest fan of folding clothes or are crazy happy to do the activity. But we know that must be important. That is where this comes in. You can make one with cardboard, a box that you would discard, or buy it. But this does make things easier.
How to use it, open all flaps and place it and lay down a shirt upside-down on it. Hold the left flap with the part of the shirt on it and close the left flap. Repeat the same with the right and the bottom one. An additional pro tip is to fold it horizontally into one more half, but you will have to without the flap. If you make it at home, you can add that too.
With this, you can arrange a whole drawer in less than 30 minutes, excellent, right? What more simple technique that this to organize your shirt drawer? I hope we helped you understand how to file fold shirts. Do give it a try. If you find any difficulties give the below video a look.
File fold -Without Prop
If you are wondering, you can achieve the above results without the file-like thing. Yes, we can. It will not be exactly as quick but just as good. And who knows with time and practices you can’t be just as fast, who knows? But do not give up easily or without even trying.
Lay down the shirt flat upside-down, and you know the drill. Fold the one-third part in the canter. Try to form a straight. If the sleeves are long, fold them to align with the line on the left. Then fold the right third of the shirt towards the canter, fold the sleeve to align with the right-side straight line that just got formed. Make sure you folded equal parts from both sides.
Then horizontally fold in half and half again. And there you go, that is how you file fold a t-shirt. You can also do the horizontal folds into one-third if you plan to stack them on a shelf though we refer to the drawer. But just in case you are out of drawer space.
Using a hanger
I know this article is about file folding, but if you have some extra closet space, we recommend keeping the expensive and fragile ones hanging; we aren’t talking about the traditional way you hang clothes. You can file fold the shirt and hang it on a hanger from where you fold regularly. The collar side would be hanging down.
This can save space and keep them wrinkle-free. Choose a hanger that is not very slippery from which your clothes keep falling or one which is too sharp or is edgy, which will leave unwanted creases. They only flatten on washing again.
The above methods are efficient for many reasons.
Like space also hangers are not that great who often travel for people who have a lot of t-shirts. But compared to the traditional hanging method, this takes less space and keeps clothes wrinkle-free, and travelers must remove the hanger as the cloth is already folded.
Folding Dress Shirts
To fold dress shirts is always considered trickier. Not going to lie, it might be because of the sleeves and it while trying not to wrinkle an ironed shirt. But do not put a lot of pressure to keep it pristine. Almost all the above methods work fur shirts two with additional sleeves fold. It might take more time, but it is just as easy.
Some additional tips here can be, always keep the collar down and keep the shirt buttoned up while folding it will make the task easier. T-shirts can be folded a lot easier without a surface, but for the shirt, it requires a little practice. Do not beat yourself up.
Watch the video to understand things better it showcases to easy methods the filing fold a shirt.
And with that, we wind up our part on how to file fold shirts and t-shirts. I hope we have proven ourselves helpful and that you know how to deal better with your clothes and know more about how to fold shirts and how to keep the t-shirt drawer organized. Try all methods and find which one you are most comfortable with. All these simple methods can, one way or another, help you keep your shirt drawer organized.
You know folding can be stress relieving some believe forget everything and dedicate yourself to the task, feel the fabric and every fold, hand iron the wrinkles, maybe put on some music, tidy up the closet, you will be surprised you mind end up getting the work done and bonus while having fun.
Check out our article on five rules for clothes storage to keep them looking great.
Happy Folding!
