The Truth About Folding Laundry: It’s All About Storage

Eli
7 min readDec 10, 2022

Do you fold your laundry into neat little squares or do you just toss it in the drawer? The answer may surprise you — it’s not about style or preference, but rather a function of how you want to store your clean clothes in your closet.

The Misconception of Folding Laundry

Many people believe that folding laundry is all about personal style and preference, but the truth is that the way you fold your laundry is determined by how you want to store it in your closet. While some may enjoy the meditative quality of folding their clothes, others see it as a tedious chore and simply toss their clean clothes into a drawer. But the way you fold your laundry ultimately affects its storage and accessibility.

There are many reasons why someone might fold or not fold their laundry. For some, it may simply be a matter of habit — if you’ve always folded your laundry a certain way, it can be difficult to change your habits. Others may have been influenced by a previous roommate or partner who had a different approach to laundry folding. And still others may have never really given much thought to the way they fold their laundry, and simply do it the way they’ve always done it.

Regardless of the reason, it’s important to remember that the way you fold your laundry is not just about personal style or preference. It’s about making the most of your available storage space, and ensuring that your clothes are not wrinkled or creased when you take them out to wear them. If you’re not happy with the current state of your garments and storage space, it may be time to rediscover your options and find a folding style that works for you.

By taking the time to carefully consider your options, and experimenting with different folding techniques, you can find a method that not only looks good, but also helps you keep your closet organized and your clothes in good condition. So don’t be afraid to try something new — you may be surprised at the benefits of folding your laundry in a different way.

The Function of Folding Laundry

When you fold your laundry, you create a smaller, more manageable package of clothing that can be easily stored in your closet. This allows you to make the most of your available space, ensures your clothes are not wrinkled or creased, and allows for easy access and organization. Different folding styles, such as the military fold for t-shirts, the bundle fold for pants, and the roll fold for socks, can suit different storage arrangements.

First, let’s look at t-shirts. One popular folding method for t-shirts is the “military fold,” where you lay the shirt flat on a surface, smooth out any wrinkles, and then fold the sleeves and sides in towards the center of the shirt. This creates a neat, compact rectangle that can be easily stacked and stored in a drawer or on a shelf.

For pants, another common folding method is the “bundle fold.” This involves folding the pants in half lengthwise, and then folding the waistband and cuffs towards the center of the pants. This creates a neat, compact bundle that can be easily stored on a hanger or in a drawer.

Socks can be a bit trickier to fold, but one method that works well is the “roll fold.” To do this, lay the sock flat on a surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Then, starting at the toe, roll the sock up tightly, tucking the cuff of the sock under the roll as you go. This creates a compact, cylindrical shape that can be easily stored in a drawer or on a shelf.

Now, let’s consider how these different folding styles might suit different storage arrangements. For example, a digital nomad who is constantly on the move may prefer the military fold for t-shirts, as it creates a compact, easily portable package that can be easily packed and unpacked. A student living in a dorm room, on the other hand, may prefer the bundle fold for pants, as it allows them to easily hang their pants in a closet or on a hook. And a couple who has just moved in together may find the roll fold for socks to be a convenient way to store their socks in a shared drawer, as it keeps them organized and easily accessible.

In conclusion, there are many different folding styles for t-shirts, pants, and socks, and the one that works best for you will depend on your storage arrangements and personal preferences. By experimenting with different techniques and finding the ones that suit your needs, you can keep your clothes organized and in good condition, no matter what your living situation may be.

The Benefits of Folding Laundry

Folding your laundry not only allows you to make the most of your available storage space and keep your clothes in good condition, but it also has other benefits. It allows you to separate your clothes by category, making it easier to find what you’re looking for, and can also help you keep track of what you have. Additionally, folding your laundry can be a relaxing and therapeutic activity, allowing you to take a break from the stresses of daily life and focus on a simple, repetitive task. By taking the time to carefully fold your clothes, you can keep your closet organized, avoid excess clutter, and extend the life of your garments.

First, let’s consider some actual examples of how to keep your laundry organized and tidy. One way to do this is by separating your clothes into different categories, such as tops, bottoms, and undergarments. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for, and can also help you keep track of what you have. For example, you may have a drawer for t-shirts, a drawer for socks, and a shelf for jeans.

Another way to keep your laundry organized is by folding your clothes neatly and stacking them in an orderly manner. This will not only make your closet look tidier, but it will also help you see and access all of your clothes more easily. You can use a variety of folding styles, such as the military fold for t-shirts, the bundle fold for pants, and the roll fold for socks.

Finally, one important tip for extending the life of your clothes and keeping your laundry organized is to rotate your clothing. This means that instead of always wearing the same items, you switch them out and wear different items on a regular basis. This will not only help you avoid the problem of constantly wearing out your favorite clothes, but it will also allow you to rediscover items that you may have forgotten about.

Keeping your laundry organized and tidy is not just about personal style or preference — it’s about making the most of your available storage space and keeping your clothes in good condition. By separating your clothes into different categories, folding them neatly, and rotating them regularly, you can keep your closet organized and your clothes looking their best.

In conclusion, folding laundry may not be everyone’s favorite chore, but it is an important function that can help you keep your closet organized and your clothes in good condition. So next time you’re tempted to just toss your clean laundry into a drawer, take a moment to consider the benefits of folding it instead. It may not be about style or preference, but it is definitely worth the extra effort.

Master the Art of Folding Clothes

In this final section, we will provide a list of links to practical tutorials that will teach you how to fold your clothes like a pro. These tutorials will show you the best techniques for folding t-shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, pants, and more, so you can keep your closet organized and your clothes looking their best. Whether you prefer the military fold, the roll fold, or the fan fold, there is a folding technique that will suit your personal style and storage needs. By mastering the art of folding clothes, you can keep your closet clutter-free and your clothes looking their best.

How to Fold Long Sleeve Shirts

https://www.wikihow.com/Fold-Long-Sleeve-Shirts

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for folding t-shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, and more. It includes techniques for folding long sleeve shirts, packing your shirts into a suitcase, and more.

How to Pack a Bag Using the Ranger Roll

https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/how-to/how-to-pack-a-bag-using-the-ranger-roll/

This tutorial shows you how to pack a bag using the ranger roll, a military-inspired folding technique that allows you to pack a lot of gear into a small space. It includes instructions for folding t-shirts, pants, underwear, and socks using the ranger roll.

How to Fold Clothes

https://www.wikihow.com/Fold-Clothes

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for folding a variety of different types of clothes, including shirts, pants, and bottom garments. It includes techniques for folding shirts and tops, and putting away bottom garments.

How to Fold Shirts In 5 Different Ways

https://master-space.co/blogs/latest-articles/how-to-fold-a-shirt

This tutorial shows you how to fold a shirt in five different ways, including the easy and lazy methods, the filing method, and the proper way to fold a dress shirt. It includes step-by-step instructions and visuals to help you master each technique.

This article was written entirely by ChatGPT up until this line.

Visual art by Midjourney

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