HOw to
No doubt about it, when it comes to domestic efficiencies the fitted sheet is a dream invention. Yet, too often it’s an absolutely nightmare to fold. All those elastic edges just refuse to be tamed. Fortunately, there is a way.
1.
Above: With the elastic side facing you, place your hands inside the top two corner pockets of the sheet.
2
Above: Turn the corner that’s in your left hand inside out, bring the ends together, and insert the right corner into the left pocket. Use your middle finger to make sure that the two corner points fit snuggly within each other. (Alternatively, you can fold the sheet in half. without turning the corner inside out, and then tuck one corner over the other.)
3
Above: Keeping one hand inside the first corner pocket, run the other hand along the elasticized seam until it reaches the next corner pockets, turning your sheet as you go, and tucking one corner pocket inside the other. The sheet should now be folded in half, with the corner pockets tucked into one another at the top of the sheet, one hand in each.
4
Above: With one hand in each doubled corner pocket, repeat Step Two: Turn one of the doubled corner pockets inside out, fold the sheet in half again, and tuck this corner pocket into the corner pocket you’re holding in your other hand. Now all your elastic edges should be in one neatly tucked corner.
5
Above: Lay the sheet on a flat surface with the single corner pocket and elastic edges folded over so that the sheet is square. Smooth the sheet. Having eliminated the awkward shape caused by the elastics, you may proceed to fold your sheet as you normally would.
6
Using a neatly folded flat sheet as a size guide, fold the now-square fitted sheet lengthwise into thirds or quarters.
Folded into thirds.
7
Fold the sheet neatly along the length, perhaps using a folded flat sheet as a guide so that they match sizewise.
7
Properly folded, your fitted sheet should perfectly match your folded top sheet.
Above: The finished product: properly folded fitted sheets are no longer an eyesore in the linen closet.