Folding your t-shirts the proper way can help you to organize your closet better, save space in your luggage, and prevent wrinkles from forming on your shirts.
When you are finished wearing or washing your t-shirts, you can choose to either army roll, basic fold, or double-shoulder fold your t-shirts. The type of fold or roll you choose will depend on your current needs and requirements.
If you are traveling and want to save space in your suitcase, then you would likely prefer to army roll your shirts.
If you are doing some laundry (how long does a washer take? / how long does a dryer take?) and want to store your washed t-shirts in a tidy fashion, use the double-shoulder method.
If you are in a rush or don’t mind a few extra wrinkles in your shirt, then use the basic fold method.
Table of Contents
How To Fold A T-Shirt
Total Time: 5 min
Cost: $0
T-shirts should always be folded as opposed to being hung on a hanger, since hangers tend to leave those annoying stretches in the shoulder areas.
Use one of our three methods listed below for folding t-shirts, so that you can organize your closet, save space in your luggage, and maintain your t-shirt’s quality for longer.
The double-shoulder folding method can make your closet look neat and tidy, and is the method most commonly used in retail stores when displaying t-shirts on shelves and tables. When storing your t-shirts at home in the drawer, on a shelf, or in a closet, the double shoulder method is one of the most useful ways to do it.
1. Lay the t-shirt flat
Begin by laying the shirt on a smooth flat surface, with the front of the shirt facing downwards, and the back side facing upwards towards you.
2. Fold the t-shirt inwards
From the left side, fold the shirt inwards, so that the crease is between the left shoulder hem and left edge of the collar.
3. Repeat step two
Repeat step 2 for the right side of the t-shirt.
4. Fold t-shirt in half
Fold the shirt in half from the collar down to the bottom of the shirt, so that the front of the shirt is now facing upwards. You also have the option for fold it vertically one more time if you are trying to save extra space.
5. Rotate and store
Finished! Rotate the shirt 180 degrees so it is facing upwards and outwards, and store in your closet or suitcase.
Basic Fold
Total Time: 5 min
Cost: $0
The basic fold is just that; basic. The basic fold is easy to do, can be done quickly, and is useful for storage in a drawer or closet, as well as for traveling. The drawback of the basic fold is that it may leave some wrinkles in your t-shirt that may need to be ironed out later on.
1. Lay t-shirt flat
Lay the t-shirt flat on a smooth surface, so that the front of the t-shirt is facing downwards. The backside of the t-shirt should be facing upward.
2. Fold t-shirt in half
From right to left, fold the t-shirt in half.
3. Pinch and fold sleeves
Pinch both sleeves together, and fold them inwards, towards the middle.
4. Fold t-shirt vertically
Grab the bottom of the t-shirt and fold it vertically from bottom to top.
5. Finish and store
Depending on the size of the shirt, and the amount of room you wish to save, you may want to fold the shirt in half one more time.
Army Roll
Total Time: 5 min
Cost: $0
The army roll is a fantastic method to use if you are looking to save space in your suitcase or bag. This method turns your t-shirt into a compact parcel the size of a coke can. This method, if done properly, can also help to reduce the formation of wrinkles on your t-shirt while it is packed away. The army roll is also commonly referred to as the military roll, burrito roll, and other nicknames.
1. Lay t-shirt flat
Start by laying the t-shirt flat and evenly, with the front side facing skywards on a smooth flat surface.
2. Fold t-shirt up
Fold the bottom of the t-shirt up about 3 or 4 inches (7-10cm) all the way around to create a hem. The fabric from the inside should now be showing on the outside, since it is folded outwards around the circumference of the bottom of the t-shirt.
3. Fold t-shirt over
Fold the t-shirt over from either the left or right side, so that the side edge/hem is inline with the far edge of the collar.
4. Fold the sleeve back
Take the sleeve of the side you just folded, and fold it backwards in the opposite direction where it just came from.
5. Repeat step 2
Repeat the previous 2 steps for the opposite side of the t-shirt.
6. Begin rolling the t-shirt
Now you can begin to roll the t-shirt. Begin with the collar and roll the shirt as tightly as you can while working your way down to the bottom cuff you created in step 2.
7. Finish the army roll
Once you have completely rolled the shirt, tuck it into the hem/flap you made at the bottom, so that the shirt remains rolled up and does not come unraveled.
FAQ
That depends on what the purpose is. If you are trying to save space in your suitcase, then use an army roll. If you are trying to organize your drawers, then use the double-shoulder method.
Clothing retailers generally use the double-shoulder method of folding to display their t-shirts.
