Are you tired of your linen closet being a cluttered mess of towels? Do you wish there was a way to make them neat and organized, while also saving valuable space? If so, you’re in luck! With a few simple folding techniques, you can transform your towel storage into a thing of beauty. Not only will it look more inviting, but you’ll also be able to find the towel you need in an instant.
However, folding towels can be a bit of a chore, especially if you’re not sure how to do it properly. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to fold towels to save space. We’ll walk you through the steps for three different folding methods, each of which is designed to maximize space and keep your towels looking neat and tidy. Whether you’re dealing with bath towels, hand towels, or washcloths, we’ve got you covered.
Once you’ve mastered these techniques, you’ll never want to fold towels the old way again. So, grab your towels and let’s get started!
The Origami Towel
The origami towel is a space-saving towel-folding technique that results in a neat and compact rectangle. It is particularly useful for small spaces, such as linen closets, drawers, or suitcases. To fold an origami towel, follow these steps:
1. Lay the towel flat on a surface.
2. Fold the bottom edge up by about 6 inches.
3. Fold the left-hand edge over the right-hand edge, overlapping by about 3 inches.
4. Fold the top edge down over the bottom edge, overlapping by about 6 inches.
5. Bring the left-hand and right-hand edges together, overlapping by about 3 inches.
6. Fold the bottom edge up over the top edge, overlapping by about 6 inches.
7. Fold the left-hand and right-hand edges together, overlapping by about 3 inches.
8. Tuck the left-hand and right-hand corners into the center pocket.
Benefits of the Origami Towel
| Benefits |
|---|
| Saves space |
| Keeps towels organized |
| Makes towels easy to find |
| Prevents towels from becoming wrinkled |
Tips for Folding the Origami Towel
Use a larger towel for a more compact fold.
If the towel is too thick, fold it in half lengthwise before starting.
Practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the quicker and neater you will become at folding the origami towel.
The Military Fold
The military fold is a compact and efficient way to fold towels to save space. It is often used in military barracks and other settings where space is limited. Here are the steps on how to do the military fold:
- Lay the towel flat on a surface.
- Fold the towel in half lengthwise.
- Fold the towel in half widthwise.
- Tuck the bottom edge of the towel into the top edge.
- Fold the top edge of the towel down over the bottom edge.
- Tuck the sides of the towel into the center.
| Step | Instruction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lay the towel flat on a surface. |
| 2 | Fold the towel in half lengthwise. Then fold it in half widthwise. |
| 3 | Tuck the bottom edge of the towel into the top edge. Then fold the top edge of the towel down over the bottom edge. |
| 4 | Tuck the sides of the towel into the center. |
| 5 | Fold the towel in half lengthwise again. |
Once you have completed the military fold, your towel will be compact and easy to store. This fold is also great for keeping towels organized in a linen closet or drawer.
The KonMari Method
The KonMari Method is a decluttering method created by Marie Kondo, a Japanese tidying consultant. The method is based on the idea that people should only keep belongings that “spark joy” in them. To declutter using the KonMari Method, you need to sort your belongings into categories, including clothes, books, papers, and sentimental items. Once you have sorted your belongings, you need to decide whether to keep or discard each item. If you keep an item, you need to store it in a way that makes it easy to find and use.
Folding Clothes Using the KonMari Method
KonMari believes in folding clothes vertically to help save space in your drawers. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Lay your garment flat.
2. Fold one side of the garment about one-third of the way over
3. Take the bottom edge of the garment and fold it up to meet the top edge. The trick is to:
- Make sure both corners line up.
- Don’t be afraid to tuck the far corner or the extra material under.
- You’ll end up with a long, thin rectangle.
4. Bring both of the shorter ends and fold them to the center
5. Fold the long rectangle in half
6. Now, you can stand it upright and it should be able to stand on its own.
Once you fold all of your clothes like this, you can store them upright in your drawers. This will help you save space and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
The Towel Turban
Drying your hair with a towel has its benefits, but if you’re trying to reduce frizz and breakage, it’s not the best option. Towel turbans are a gentler alternative that can help you achieve smooth, healthy hair.
How to Make a Towel Turban
- Choose the right towel. For a towel turban, you’ll want to use a towel that’s absorbent and soft. A microfiber towel is a good option, as it’s both absorbent and gentle on your hair.
- Wrap your hair in the towel. Place the towel on your head, with the center of the towel at the center of your head. Bring the ends of the towel together at the back of your head and twist them together.
- Secure the turban. Bring the twisted ends of the towel back to the front of your head and tie them into a knot. You can also use a hair clip or bobby pin to secure the turban.
- Adjust the tightness of the turban. The turban should be snug, but not too tight. If it’s too tight, it can put pressure on your head and cause a headache. If it’s too loose, it will fall off.
Here is a pro tip: If you want to speed up the drying process, you can use a hair dryer on a low-heat setting. Just be sure to keep the hair dryer moving and not hold it in one place for too long, as this can damage your hair.
The Rolled Towel
Rolling towels is a fantastic space-saving trick that keeps your towels fluffy and organized. This method is ideal for closets or under-the-sink storage. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Lay the towel flat and fold one short end over by about 6 inches.
- Roll the towel tightly from the other short end, creating a snug roll.
- To secure the roll, tuck the loose end under the rolled towel.
- Place the rolled towel vertically in your storage space.
- Repeat for all towels and stack them upright to maximize vertical space.
Benefits of the Rolled Towel:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Space-saving | Rolls occupy less space than folded towels, maximizing storage efficiency. |
| Fluffiness | Rolling towels prevents wrinkles and keeps them fluffy for longer. |
| Versatility | Rolled towels can fit into various storage spaces, making them adaptable to any closet or bathroom. |
The Vacuum-Seal Fold
This method is ideal for bulky towels that take up a lot of space. It involves vacuum-sealing the towels to remove all the air, resulting in a compact and space-saving storage solution.
Materials:
- Towels
- Vacuum sealer
- Vacuum seal bags
Steps:
1. Fold the towels: Fold the towels neatly into a rectangular or square shape.
2. Place towels in vacuum seal bag: Insert the folded towels into the vacuum seal bag.
3. Seal the bag: Use the vacuum sealer to remove the air from the bag, creating a vacuum seal.
4. Flatten the bag: Once sealed, flatten the bag by pressing down on it to remove any remaining air pockets.
5. Store the vacuum-sealed towels: Store the vacuum-sealed towels upright in a drawer, shelf, or container for maximum space utilization.
Table: Vacuum-Seal Fold Technique
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fold towels neatly into rectangular/square shape |
| 2 | Insert folded towels into vacuum seal bag |
| 3 | Remove air from bag using vacuum sealer |
| 4 | Flatten bag to remove air pockets |
| 5 | Store vacuum-sealed towels upright for maximum space utilization |
The Vertical Fold
The vertical fold is a space-saving technique that creates uniform and tidy towels. Here’s how to master it:
1. Lay the towel flat on a surface.
2. Fold the bottom edge upwards by about 4 inches.
3. Fold the top edge downwards to meet the folded bottom.
4. Bring the left and right edges together, aligning them precisely.
5. Fold the left edge over the right edge by about 2 inches.
6. Roll the towel upwards, starting from the folded edge.
7. Grasp the bottom edge of the roll and fold it upwards to create a secure closure. Tuck the exposed edge under the roll for a clean finish.
Once folded, the towels can be stored vertically in a drawer, shelf, or basket. This method allows for easy access and optimal space utilization.
| Advantages of the Vertical Fold |
|---|
| – Maximizes vertical storage space |
| – Creates neat and uniform towels |
| – Ensures easy towel retrieval |
The Zigzag Fold
The zigzag fold is a clever technique that creates a compact, space-saving bundle. It’s particularly well-suited for towels that you want to stack vertically in a linen closet or shelf. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Lay the towel flat, with the longest side facing you.
- Fold the bottom edge up about 6 inches.
- Fold the right side of the towel over to meet the left edge, forming a triangle.
- Fold the triangle in half horizontally.
- Flip the towel over and repeat steps 3 and 4 with the other side.
- Now, starting from the folded edge, roll the towel up as tightly as possible.
- Tuck the rolled-up end into the zigzag folds created in steps 3 and 4.
- Your zigzag-folded towel is now ready to stack vertically or fit snugly into any corner. By using this method, you can neatly organize your towels and maximize storage space.
Tip: For extra space-saving, you can also try folding the towel in half lengthwise before rolling it up.
| Traditional Fold | Zigzag Fold |
|---|---|
| Takes more space when stacked | Creates a compact, space-saving bundle |
| Less organized and efficient | Neatly organized for easy storage |
| Not suitable for small spaces | Ideal for small spaces |
The Space-Saving Fold
The space-saving fold is a simple yet effective way to save space in your drawers or linen closet. Here’s how to do it:
- Lay the towel flat on a surface.
- Fold the towel in half lengthwise.
- Fold the towel in half again lengthwise.
- Fold the towel in half widthwise.
- Tuck the bottom edge of the towel into the top edge.
- Flip the towel over and tuck the other bottom edge into the top edge.
- Fold the towel in half widthwise again.
- Fold the towel in half lengthwise one last time.
- Your towel is now folded in a neat and space-saving way.
- Place the folded towels in your drawers or linen closet.
Tips for Using the Space-Saving Fold
- Use this fold for all of your towels, from hand towels to bath towels.
- Experiment with different folding techniques to see which one works best for you.
- If you have a lot of towels, you can stack them on their sides to save even more space.
- Place towels vertically in a drawer or cabinet for easy access with a quick scan.
- Use clear bins or containers to store folded towels and keep them separate from other items.
| Towel Size | Recommended Fold |
|---|---|
| Washcloth | Quarter fold |
| Hand towel | Half fold |
| Bath towel | Full fold |
| Beach towel | Roll |
How To Fold Towels To Save Space
In order to fold towels to save space properly, it is important to start with clean, dry towels. Towels that are damp or wet will not fold as well and will take up more space. Towels that are freshly laundered and dried will be more pliable and easier to fold. Once you have clean, dry towels, you can begin the folding process.
There are a few different ways to fold towels to save space. One common method is the “hotel fold.” To do a hotel fold, start by folding the towel in half lengthwise. Then, fold the towel in half again widthwise. Finally, fold the towel in half once more lengthwise. This will create a small, compact square that will take up less space in your linen closet or drawer.
