Is your closet overflowing with clothes, leaving you with limited space and a constant battle for order and organization? Have you been struck by the home cleaning blues?
Don’t worry – with just a few small tips, you can fold your clothes to save space and organize your wardrobe to give your closet a little more breathing room. Believe it or not, a little change in how you fold your clothes can have a big impact in the way of providing some much-needed extra room. What are you waiting for? Learn how to fold effortlessly and effectively to get the most out of your closet & wardrobe.
Related: 7 Laundry Hacks You Need to Know
Techniques for Folding Clothes to Save Space
No matter the clothing style you’re dealing with, the following space-saving folding techniques and hacks work like magic for all garment types. Say goodbye to the chaos and embrace the art of space-saving folds, making room for every outfit in your collection!
KonMari Folding
KonMari folding, also known as “file folding” and popularized by acclaimed organizing consultant Marie Kondo, maximizes space by allowing you to stand shirts up in a drawer, like files in a filing cabinet, rather than laying them flat and staking them. This method of folding clothes not only saves space, but also allows greater access to items of clothing – meaning no more losing your favorite tee at the bottom of the pile. Follow these steps to master the art:
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- Lay your garment flat, smoothing out wrinkles.
- Fold one side of the item inward, creasing at the shoulder.
- Fold the other side in to overlap, creating a long rectangle.
- Starting at the bottom, fold the garment up into thirds.
- When finished, you should be left with a rectangular fold that can be easily stored as one would with a file in a filing cabinet.
Rolling Clothes
Rolling your clothes not only saves space but also minimizes wrinkles and makes packing a breeze. This way of folding clothes to save space is great for long-term storage or travel. Here’s how to roll clothes effectively:
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- Lay the garment flat and smooth out wrinkles.
- Fold sleeves or pant legs inward, if necessary.
- Start rolling from one end tightly and evenly, making a compact cylinder.
- Place rolled items vertically in drawers or suitcases to optimize space and visibility.
Vacuum Sealing Bags
One of our favorite folding clothes hacks is vacuum sealing. Vacuum sealing bags are a game-changer when it comes to maximizing wardrobe space. Here’s how to use them effectively:
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- Place your clothing items inside the vacuum bag, making sure all garments are clean and dry.
- Seal the bag while leaving a small opening to insert a vacuum hose.
- Use a vacuum cleaner hose to remove air from the bag. The bag will shrink, compressing the clothes.
- Once the bag is tightly compressed, remove the vacuum hose and close the bag’s airtight seal.
- Store vacuum-sealed bags in a cool, dry place to protect your clothes from moisture and pests.
Space-Saving Folds for All Clothes
These versatile folds and space-saving solutions make it easier than ever to maintain a clutter-free and efficient wardrobe. Ready for more room?
Shirts
Dress shirts will look and function best when hung, but T-shirts, sleepwear, and athletic tops – along with anything else you aren’t worried about wrinkling – can be folded for easy storage in a drawer or on a shelf.
As mentioned above, the KonMari method is one of the most efficient space-saving clothes folding techniques and is perfect for shirts. To fold a shirt, lay the garment face-down on a flat surface and smooth-out wrinkles. Fold the sleeves toward each other and onto the middle of the shirt, creasing at the shoulder. Next, fold the bottom of the shirt up to the arms. Finally, starting at the bottom, fold the shirt up into thirds.
If you must fold a button-down or dress shirt, the file folding method can be used to maximize space in your suitcase or wardrobe.
Pants
Don’t know the best clothes folding method for pants or jeans? They’re a snap! To ensure a tight fold, first zip and button your garment. Then, lay the pants on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Fold the pants in half lengthwise, tucking the crotch inward to form one line. Next, fold the jeans in half by width. The pants can then be easily file-folded into thirds and stored vertically in a drawer, or stacked on a shelf.
Read More: Keep Your Denim Jeans Looking Great
Sweaters
Sweaters, because of their often-delicate nature, seem like something that should be hung. In reality, because of the knit and weight of these garments, sweaters can be disfigured or marked by regular hanging. Folding is the way to go to keep your sweaters in top shape, and it’s easy as a breeze. Hold the sweater at each shoulder, then fold the sleeves in toward each other. Finally, fold the sweater by width. Voila!
Read More: How to Wash Sweaters
Socks
Let me guess… you store your socks by rolling them into one another to make a ball, right? Great, read no further.
Well… unless you don’t want holes in your socks. Balling up your foot covers and shoving them together produces a lot of wear on the fabric, stretching out your socks and creating opportunity for tears. The best way to fold socks neatly for storage or packing is by laying them on top of each other and folding them in half, twice. This method keeps the pair of socks together in a small rectangle that’s easy to store and gentle on the fabric.
Undergarments
Bottoms
As long as they aren’t in a heap in the corner, it’s hard to go wrong storing and packing underwear. For an easy file fold, place the garment flat, fold in each side toward the middle, and then fold the crotch upward.
Related: Caring for Delicate Lingerie
Bras
Storing your bras with one cup inside the other? That’s a major storage mistake, and is likely to damage the integrity and fit of your bra. Instead, fasten the clasp, tuck in the straps, and file-organize your bras with the cups facing out. Each bra should stand in the drawer and nest together in a line.
Related: Caring for Silk
Keep Your Wardrobe Clean and Fresh
Now that your clothes are stored better than ever, they should be cleaned better than ever, too!
Enter Dependable Cleaners and our staff of stain removal experts. Our team knows exactly what it takes to remove even the most stubborn stains from the most delicate fabrics, and our 7-point inspection & renowned quality guarantee ensure your clothes come back to you looking as good as the day you bought them. With our laundry pickup & delivery, wash & fold services, and green dry cleaning, it’s easy to see why we’re Dependable.
Visit one of Dependable Cleaners’ convenient locations today, and discover why we’ve been voted one of best dry cleaners in Denver!
