Folding Clothes to Save Space
Folding clothes has probably been around since the beginning of clothes. With countless methods for folding clothes, you might be left wondering which is the best method and why. In my own personal journey, I have tried a variety of methods and have even created new ways to fold based on my lifestyle. Let explore why folding clothes to save space is a good idea.
In this post I dive in to answer the following questions:
- Why bother folding your clothes?
- What are the methods of folding clothes?
- What is the best folding method?
- When to hang clothes instead of folding?
Why bother folding your clothes?
I get this question a lot. If you’re in this camp, let me share some reasons why folding your clothes is beneficial and useful. Remember, folding isn’t required, but it’s something that I like to do in order to keep my things tidy.
Minimize wrinkles
Folding our clothes can minimize wrinkles especially if we fold in a particular way and store in a manner that doesn’t put pressure on the fabric.
Maximize space
When we fold clothes, we maximize the space in our drawers and closets by eliminating the air in our clothes. If the clothes are hung on a hanger instead, far fewer clothes can be hung in the same space.
Folding clothes is one of the best ways to make more usable space in your home.
Accessibility and visibility
Folding our clothes and organizing them in a “file folding system” allow us to see all our clothes and this helps the clothes to be within reach and accessible. There is nothing worse than not being able to find your clothes when you want to wear them.
Appearance
Keeping our drawers neat and tidy through folding creates the appearance of a retail shop and that can be joyful to many.
Folding is a personal choice. It’s up to you to choose how you want to live and how you want to manage and maintain your items that support you in your daily life.
What are the methods of folding clothes?
Folding clothes has always been a part of my life. I remember being as young as 5 or 6 when I started to help out with family chores and began folding clothes. In the early days, precision was not the objective. The goal was to get it done and be tidy enough that I wouldn’t get yelled at by my mom.
A lot has changed since then and the chore I used to dread I now find to be a therapeutic activity. I like to pair folding with listening to fun music or listening to my favorite podcasts.
Don’t get me wrong, when the clean clothes pile up and I’m in a rush, it becomes more stressful than therapeutic. Trust me, I’m no superhuman, but I have learned to keep on top of the laundry and for the most part my process works for me and my family.
Here are some of the ways I like to fold my clothes.
File Folding
This type of fold goes by many different names including KonMari fold and upright folding. The significance of this fold is that clothes are folded in a way that the item can stand upright on its own and can also be stored in this manner to minimize wrinkling.
Pocket folding
Sometimes I get unhinged…when I see unraveled clothes in the drawer!
I know this can do the same for you because my clients tell me so.
By no means am I asking for a picture-perfect drawer but kids have the tendency to grab one thing and then another and another, all while unraveling the neatly folded clothes in the process.
To end the frustration, I started to tuck one end of the clothing item so that I get a nice little bundle and no unraveling.
Adapting my folding methods has been a game changer for me and the clients that I have taught also agree. Click here for a video example.
Retail folding
Retail folding is the type of fold you find in a clothing store. The same type of clothes are neatly folded and stacked one on top of the other. This fold generally is laid flat on top of a surface because the fold itself isn’t compact enough to store upright like file folding. When folding and storing in this manner the weight of the clothes on top of each layer will likely creates wrinkles and creases in the clothing.
Rolling
Rolling clothes or military folding is a method that is used to roll the fabric instead of creating folds in the clothing. Frequent travelers or those packing for a vacation use and swear by this type of folding. The key with rolling your clothes is that you must also take care to prevent the unraveling of your clothes as well.
What is the best folding method?
The long-awaited answer to a very common question. The truth is there is no best method of folding just like there is no best way to do literally anything.
The ideal method of folding depends on the needs and situation of the user.
Someone may not have any use for pocket folding because they do not have children or young kids that unravel their clothes. Parents may have no use for rolling clothes as it will inevitably become very messy in a drawer when left for the children to dig through.
The best method of folding is the one that you will keep up with day in and day out and can repeat rather seamlessly throughout your life.
The folding fairy will not come to check up on your drawers.
No one is coming to inspect or audit your laundry.
That’s why the method you choose should align with your own personal values and lifestyle.
When to hang clothes instead of folding?
The decision to hang or fold depends entirely on your personal preferences. You may choose to hang instead of fold if you have ample space to store clothes hung up. If you are limited on space, folding is your best option as air is removed. Also consider the material of the clothing item when deciding to hang or fold. A silk tank is best hung because there is no structure in the material and it will not easily stand up in a drawer.
Conclusion
Folding is not required.
Finding the solution that works the best for you and your family is the best solution.
Folding clothes is one of the best ways to make more usable space in your home. It’s an easy skill to learn and with a little practice you’ll soon be a seasoned pro.
Above all, fold according to what works for you in your life.
Sometimes the little details of life make the mundane tasks a bit more joyful. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments.
Southern California based Professional Organizer, Sandy Park, owner and founder of Tidy with SPARK shares her joy of organization with her clients.
She serves clients in Orange County as well as the hundreds of thousands of followers on her combined social media platforms.
Connect with Sandy through her website or by connecting through her social channels.