If your dresser drawers are overflowing with crumpled t-shirts and jumper piles, you’re far from alone. Keeping your drawers organised can be a challenge, so we tapped experts for tips on the best way to fold clothes. Pro organisers and NEAT Method co-founders Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer shared their go-to folding strategy that can bring order to your drawers.
The file-folding method allows you to fit more items in the drawers and see more of what you own at a glance. Many of us have forgotten about an item that ended up crumpled at the back of a drawer or underneath a jumble of other items. This simple method helps you avoid that issue.
As you’re reorganising your drawers, pros say this can also be a good time to declutter. Getting rid of items you no longer wear can create more space in your dresser and make it feel more orderly. (Just don’t start a “maybe” pile that ends up creating more work in the end!)
How to fold jumpers
- Calculate the width of space available in your drawer, on a shelf, or in a bin to determine how many rows will fit across.
- Lay the jumper face down on a flat surface and smooth out wrinkles. If it's a cardigan, zip or button it.
- Fold one sleeve straight across the jumper torso. Then, fold the sleeve down so the cuff sits near the hem.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Pick up the bottom of the knit and fold it in half upwards. Repeat so the item is folded into fourths.
How to fold t-shirts
- Just as you did with jumpers, determine the space available in your dresser or on your shelf. 'Fold one item to the height of your drawer and use it as a guide for all clothing in that drawer,' suggests Murphy, who adds that drawer dividers can help maintain rows.
- Lay the T-shirt face down on a flat surface, ensuring the fabric is smooth.
- Fold one side in to the centre, then repeat on the other side.
- Fold in half from top to bottom.
- Fold the shirt in half again.
Advice from a pro: 'If all else fails, you can use a folding board to simplify the process and keep things consistent,' says Murphy.
How to use the file-folding method
Pro organisers swear by the file-folding method, a simple process that works well for T-shirts, jumpers, denim, athletic clothing, and more. It involves "filing" folded clothing into rows rather than vertical stacks. 'It may take a little extra time in the beginning, but it can be a huge game-changer,' says Hagmeyer.
This organising method allows you to see all of your folding clothing at once. 'This increases the likelihood of wearing more of your wardrobe, instead of reaching for whatever is on top of the stack,' says Hagmeyer. 'It also allows you to grab one item without disturbing the rest and typically saves a lot of space in your drawers.'
