How to Fold Towels

There are several ways to fold a towel. The different methods can be utilized for different storage situations. The three most common towel folding methods are tri-fold, deep fold and narrow fold.

When deciding the best for your towels, consider their size. Some folds work best for larger towels, like bath towels, bath sheets and beach towels. Others are well-suited for smaller linens.

Also, think about where the towels will be stored. In compact spaces, one fold may work better than another. Your personal taste matters, too. You may like how a particular fold looks.

Mixing and matching folding methods is OK. For example, you can fold towels on open shelves with one method and linens that you keep in a closet another way.

This method will make towels sit neat and tidy on the shelf.

• Lay the towel out on a flat surface with the tag facing up.
• Fold a corner of the towel over about two-thirds of the way across the short side of the towel.
• Smooth down the length of the towel with your hands.
• Fold the other side of the towel over the first third. Smooth down the length of the towel.
  Your towel should now be long and skinny.
• Next, fold the towel in half.
• Fold the towel in half again.
• Display the towel with the folded edge facing outward.

A deep fold is perfect for a narrow closet or shelf.

• Lay the towel out on a flat surface.
• Fold one edge of the towel fold it over to the halfway mark on the short edge of the towel.
• Repeat on the other side. The two long edges should meet in the middle.
• Fold the towel in half, length-wise so that the towel layers sit on top of each other.
• Fold the ends of the towel towards the center, leaving a little gap in the center to avoid bulging in the center.
• Display the towel with the folded edge facing outward.

If you are really tight on closet or shelf space, use a narrow fold for your towels. This space-saving fold also works well if you store your towels in a bathroom vanity or a tiny cupboard.

• Lay the towel on a flat surface.
• Fold the towel in half along its length.
• Next, fold the towel in half creating a fold at the halfway point, aligning the short edges on top of each other.
• Then, fold the hemmed edge of the towel two-thirds of the way in to create a crease.
• Fold the opposite edge over the hemmed edge.
• Display the towel with the folded edge facing outward.

Make your guest bath feel as luxurious and welcoming as a five-star hotel. Folding a luxury bath towel is not a top-secret form of art. In fact, it's easy to emulate at home.

Many hotels simply use the trifold method with their towels and linens. However, if you want to impress your guests with your towel-folding skills, try this easy towel folding spa-style roll.

• Lay the bath sheet or hand towel out on a flat surface.
• Fold one corner of the towel to the center lengthwise.
• Fold the towel in half lengthwise and then flip it over.
• Roll the towel tightly toward the pointed end and tuck in the flap.
• Display the towels in an attractive basket or a large decorative bowl.

Cruise ships and resort hotels love to wow their guests by folding bath linens into whimsical or decorative shapes. A popular fold is a towel swan. You can recreate the swan fold at home to impress your guests.

• Use one large-sized towel.
• Place the towel on a flat surface.
• Fold the edges of each corner to create a triangle. Since the towel is a rectangle and not a square, the edges won't line up at the bottom.
• Then, roll the edges until they meet in the center. It should look like an arrow.
• Fold the arrow point back to for a “Z” shape.
• Squeeze the corners of the towel to set the curves.
• Create another swan to have a matching set.
• Display them face to face so that the beaks touch.

The trifold, bifold and deep fold methods will save space on your closet shelves. However, the best space-saving towel folding method is the spa-style roll. Rolled towels take up significantly less space than flat folded towels. Rolled towels can be stored easily in other places if you have limited storage space.

Hand towels can be folded in same manner as bath towels. Since they are smaller, the bifold or spa-style roll may be the best way to go. Just like with bath towels, place hand towels on the shelf with the folded edge facing outward.