Fitted sheets are great at staying on a mattress. Getting them into a neat stack after laundry day is another story. The elastic bunches up, the corners disappear, and sometimes rolling the whole thing into a ball feels like the easiest option.
There is a trick to it, though. Tuck the four corners inside one another first, then lay the sheet flat and fold it into a rectangle. Once the corners are together, the rest is much easier.
Grab a clean, dry sheet and give yourself some room on a bed or table.
1. Find Two Corners
Turn the sheet inside out and find two adjacent corners along one short side. Put a hand inside each corner, with your fingertips reaching into the seams.
Let the rest of the sheet hang down. If you are unsure whether you have the right corners, follow the elastic edge from one to the next.
2. Tuck One Corner Over the Other
Bring your hands together and flip the corner on your right hand over the one on your left. Think of it as slipping one pocket over another.
Line up the seams and give the hanging fabric a gentle shake to straighten it. You should now have two corners sitting together on one hand.
3. Gather the Other Two Corners
Rest the first pair on the bed while you find the remaining corners. Tuck one of those corners over the other, just as you did with the first pair.
Then bring both pairs together and tuck one pair over the other. All four corners should now sit in one nested stack.
This is the part that usually takes a little practice. If the fabric looks twisted, pause and straighten it before moving on.
4. Lay the Sheet Flat
Place the sheet on your bed or table, keeping the corners together. Spread out the fabric and fold the curved elastic edges inward until the outside looks roughly rectangular.
Run your hands over the sheet to smooth out any bunching. You may see a curved line of elastic inside the rectangle, which is normal.
Do not worry about getting every edge perfectly straight. You just need a shape you can fold comfortably.
5. Fold Lengthwise Into Thirds
Fold one long side about a third of the way across the rectangle. Bring the other long side over it to make a narrow strip.
Smooth the fabric as you go, especially around the tucked corners. If one section feels bulky, spread it out a little before continuing.
6. Make the Final Fold
Fold the strip in half or thirds, whichever fits your shelf best.
Give it a quick smoothing, then place it in your linen closet with the tidy folded edge facing outward. Your fitted sheet is ready to stack.
Keep Your Bedding Set Together
Once everything is folded, tuck the fitted sheet, flat sheet, and extra pillowcases inside one matching pillowcase. When it is time to change the bed, you can grab the whole set at once.
Always check that the bedding is completely dry before putting it away.
Your first attempt may take a few minutes. After a few laundry days, finding the corners and tucking them together should feel more familiar. Aim for a fold that fits your shelf and keeps your bedding easy to find.
