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How to Fold a Fitted Sheet: The Letter Method

Updated August 29, 2024

Table of Contents

Folding a Fitted Sheet: Step-by-Step
Our Best Tips and Tricks

Fitted sheets make it easy to create a smooth sleeping surface, thanks to pocket corners with elastic edges. But this feature can also make folding fitted sheets feel like an impossible task. Our step-by-step guide outlines a simple process that will help you neatly fold your fitted sheets in minutes.

Folding a Fitted Sheet: Step-by-Step

What makes fitted sheets difficult to fold is the fact that they aren’t flat. Their design causes their corners to bunch when they’re not on a mattress. Trying to fold a fitted sheet like a flat sheet will often lead to frustration, but following these steps will make the process of folding fitted sheets easier and faster.

1. Lay out the Sheet

Begin with a flat surface that provides enough space for the entire sheet, like a mattress. Spread out the sheet face-down, with the elastic edges visible and facing upward. Smooth the sheet outward to flatten it, so that it forms a rectangle.

2. Pick Up the Corners

Pick up one of the sheet’s bottom corners and tuck it inside the pocket of the top corner on the same side of the sheet. Then, lift the other bottom corner and tuck it into the pocket of the corresponding top corner.

Nesting the corner pockets this way gives you fewer curved corners to contend with and ensures that the edges of the sheet align properly. Before moving to the next step, smooth out any wrinkles. The sheet should now form a rectangle half of its original size.

3. Fold into a Small Rectangle

Fold the sheet into thirds. Pull the left edge about two thirds of the way across the sheet, and then take the right edge and fold the remaining third on top, just as you might fold a piece of paper into thirds before inserting it into an envelope. You don’t need to achieve perfect thirds, but you should smooth the sheets after each fold to prevent wrinkles. The goal is to keep the sheet as flat as possible. The sheet should now form a rectangle that’s 1/3rd its previous size.

Next, fold the sheet into thirds once more. Begin by pulling the bottom edge about two thirds of the way up the rectangle, and then fold down the remaining third. At this point, none of the fitted sheets’ curved corners should be visible. The sheet should once again form a rectangle that’s 1/3rd its previous size.

Finally, fold the sheet in half. Now you will have a small-sized rectangle that should easily fit in a drawer or on a shelf.

4. Add Finishing Touches

If you have a matching flat sheet, you can fold it to approximately the same dimensions. To ensure that your sheets remain dust-free and aren’t faded by exposure to sunlight, make sure to put them away. If you don’t have a designated linen closet, you can store sheets in a cabinet, storage bin, or bag.

Our Best Tips and Tricks

Folding a fitted sheet doesn’t have to be an ordeal. With a little practice, this method will become second nature. And you might consider trying these tips, which can assist with the folding process and help you create a bedroom environment that supports great sleep.

Fold After Washing

If possible, fold your sheets as soon as you remove them from the dryer or take them down from the clothesline. This helps prevent wrinkles from forming.

Find a Flat Surface

A large, flat surface makes the folding process easier. A big table, a bed, or even a rug or carpet can work. Just make sure that the surface is clean so that your freshly washed sheets don’t pick up dust, dirt, crumbs, or pet hair.

Use the Buddy System

Folding with a partner can save time and effort, especially if you are folding a sheet for a queen size or king size bed.

Keep Your Bedding Organized

Cleaning, folding, and storing your bedding are all important parts of sleep hygiene, the habits that support healthy sleep. When your bedding is organized, it’s easier to replace your sheets, which you should do about once a week. Keeping your bedding organized also contributes to a tidy, distraction-free environment where you can relax and get the rest you need.