Fold all your shirts the same way to keep them looking consistent, even if your shirts don’t have any images on them.
You don’t need to do anything to short sleeves before making this fold. Simply lay the sleeves over the rest of the shirt. They will get tucked neatly inside the shirt as you finish folding it!
When you fold the sleeves this way, they form triangles that fit well over the shirt. If they stick out at all, you won’t be able to fold the rest of the shirt up neatly.
The shirt should look like a short rectangle with the hem on top after you finish the fold. Make sure the sleeves stay tucked inside the fabric.
To store shirts folded this way, stand them up inside a drawer or bin like files. That way, you can flick through them, see the designs, and easily pick out what you need. [7] X Expert Source Ashley Moon, MAProfessional Organizer Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
If your shirt has any images or designs on the front, keep them face down for now. They will become visible again when you finish folding.
Any wrinkles you leave behind will deepen after you fold the shirt. Also, if the fabric bunches up, you may not get the cleanest folds.
Stretch the sleeve out so it’s level with the other sleeve. When you’re finished, about a third of the shirt’s front side should be visible.
Long sleeves often reach all the way down to the hem after this fold. If your shirt has shorter sleeves, use the same fold, but don’t worry about the end of the sleeve reaching the hem. Another option is to fold the sleeve sideways to form a stack of fabric on top of the shirt. Fold the sleeve in half to the right, then fold it again to the left. The edge of the second fold will align with the left edge of the shirt. [12] X Research source
The left sleeve will overlap the right sleeve a little bit. That part is normal and necessary for tucking the sleeves out of the way while you fold the rest of the shirt.
If your shirt doesn’t have tails, skip this fold. Instead, begin folding it in half so it’s small enough to easily store on a shelf or in a suitcase.
Move the bottom part up carefully so the sleeves don’t fall out of place. When you’re done, they will end up tucked inside the fabric instead of hanging out. Hang dress shirts if you don’t want them to get wrinkled. [16] X Expert Source Ashley Moon, MAProfessional Organizer Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
If you start from the other sleeve, remember to reverse your hand positioning. Use your right hand to grip the shoulder and your left hand to pinch the lower area.
If you start on the other side of the shirt, the shoulder will be on your right. Reach for it with your right hand.
Your right hand has to be parallel with your left hand in order for the fold to work. Also, pinch through both layers of the fabric.
This fold will cause your arms to cross. Your right hand will get covered by the fabric a little bit. It can feel a little strange at first, but it leads to a great fold if you keep going.
Finishing the fold will probably look a little confusing the first time you do it. As long as you maintain a firm hold on the fabric with both hands, the folds can’t come undone.
If you never let go of the spots you pinched, you will end up holding the side you need to fold toward the sleeve. You never have to reposition your hands. The fold is easier than it looks!
