Doing laundry isn’t the problem. It’s folding it and putting it away.

I wish little elves would pop up out of nowhere and take the laundry out of the dryer right after the cycle is over (not a day later when a 10 minute fluff is in order), start folding and distributing the clothing, towels and bedding to their proper place. If anyone is thinking of starting a business, let me tell you – this is it! Elves aren’t a requirement.

Since that little fantasy isn’t happening anytime soon, it’s time to take the bull by the horns and figure out a way.

We don’t have time to sit around and fold. It needs to be quick and it needs to be simple. Oh, and it also has to look good.

Is that too much to ask?

Nope!

FOLDING SHIRTS

Click out the image tutorial (below) or watch the video. I guarantee your mind will be BLOWN! Mine was.

Source: Mr Porter
Click for tutorial

Or…if you want to go with more of a traditional fold like the department stores and such, check this out:

Source: Starfold
Click for PDF instructions

Starfold (website that above tutorial is from) has a free downloadable PDF that outlines how to fold everything from shirts to pants to sheets. Click the image to be led to their website.

You can also stick around to see what else we have to share.

FOLDING COATS

You can hang them in a closet year-round, you can pack them in a space bag and suck all the air out of them or you can fold your coats and hoodies during the off-season. Also use this tip when packing for a trip.

Source: Cat Morley
Click for more tutorials

FOLDING PANTS

When I was 16, I worked at JC Penney and I was taught the “Levi fold”. Working in the Young Mens department and folding eleventy billion jeans, I mastered the fold. I’ve never forgotten it and I still fold all my pants that way. Quick instructions:

• Fold your jeans in half the long way with the back pockets facing out (in school, we called it the “hotdog length”)
• Flip the legs of your pants up to where the bottom of your jean leg just touches the middle of your back pocket emblem
• Your jeans will be folded almost in half (in school, we called it the “hamburger length”)
• Flip the remainder of your jeans up toward the waistband.
• Your jeans will be folded in half and looking dang fine.

A more visual way to do it is below.

Source: Cat Morley
Click for even more instructinos

FOLDING SHEETS

There’s a little magic involved in folding sheets. I’m not talking about flat sheets. That’s easy peasy. Just fold in half, in half and then in thirds.

Fitted sheets, however, requires patience and even, sometimes, a lot of wine. My mom can fold a fitted sheet like nobody’s business. Sober. She’s magic. While this isn’t mom, I’ve found another fitted sheet magician.

Source: Aulit Fine Linens
Click for tutorial and video

FOLDING TOWELS

In order to make your linen closet look great and stay organized, folding towels the “correct” way is essential. Don’t just throw them in there. They should look like a flat cinnamon roll and be all cozy and ready to use when you need them.

Source: Jen from the Block
Click for full tutorial

These tips will never replace that fantasy of someone else doing the laundry but it will definitely save a ton of time and make your closets look good in the process.

Whether you’re organized or not, you can certainly fake it ’til you make it.