How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

Learning how to fold a fitted sheet—unlike the top sheet, which is a whole other story—is like riding a bicycle: Both tasks can seem overly complicated at first, but once you’ve done them smoothly, they become second nature. If you’ve mastered riding a bike but still need a little help with folding a fitted sheet, we’re here to provide those figurative training wheels for a little longer with our step-by-step guide and video.

Folding a fitted sheet may not seem like a high-priority skill, but it can do a lot to keep your sheets neat and feeling refreshed. If you’re investing in the best bed sheets, you’ll want those fitted sheets to last as long as possible, and one step of proper care is putting sheets away neatly, in a place where they won’t be exposed to life's typical disasters. (Balling the sheet up in the top of your closet is just asking for a tear or dust pile-up.)

Keep your fitted sheets—and the rest of the best bedding you’ve so carefully collected—in tip-top shape with our quick guide. We promise learning how to fold a fitted sheet is easier than you think. Here’s how to go from crinkled heap to crisply folded fitted sheet—no special tools needed.

What You Need

Follow These Steps

1. Drape the Fitted Sheet Over Your Hands

With the top two corners inside out and the elastic edge facing you, hold the fitted sheet with one hand in each of the top corners.

2. Fold the Fitted Sheet in Half and Tuck in the Corners

Fold the fitted sheet in half vertically, flipping the right corner over the left to create a pocket. Turn the bed sheet 180 degrees and create a second pocket up top. (If your folded sheet has gathered sides, tuck them into each other.)

3. Fold the Fitted Sheet in Half Again

Readjust your hold so there are two corners over your left hand and the other two over your right, with the folded seam at the bottom and the tucked and gathered edge facing you. Fold the sheet in half once more so that all four fitted corners meet, and flip the right set of corners over the left set.

4. Lay the Folded Sheet on the Bed

With the gathered edges facing up, fold the longer part of the curved edge in toward the center a few inches to create a straight edge. The sheet should now be a rectangle. Fold in half lengthwise, then fold into thirds.

Tip

To prevent wrinkles, fold your fitted sheets right out of the dryer while they’re still warm. You can also prevent wrinkles with a little gadget that holds the fitted sheets taut.

If you need help figuring out where to put your now-pristine folded fitted sheet, this is exactly how you should organize your linen closet.