Folding a fitted sheet is the laundry task everyone gives up on. The elastic edges fight you. There's no flat side to start from. And the instructions you find online usually make it sound like you need three hands.
Martha Stewart's housekeeping expert Hosana demonstrates a method that actually works. The video is a comedy bit, which makes it funny to watch but also means the camera doesn't always hold on the technique - so the steps below break the method down in more detail than the video does.
The whole trick is nesting one corner inside another until all four corners are stacked on your left hand. Once they are, the sheet folds into a neat rectangle almost on its own. It takes a few tries to get the corner-nesting motion right. Stick with it. For other laundry-room wins, see how to wash a pillow and how to iron a dress shirt like a pro.
Variations by sheet size and type
Queen and king fitted sheets. Same exact method, just more fabric to manage. Lay the sheet flat on a bed or large table to make the corner-nesting easier (you don't need to do the entire fold standing up). The four-corner stack at the end will be bulkier; just press it flatter as you fold into thirds. Allow an extra 30 seconds compared to a twin sheet.
Twin and twin XL fitted sheets. The easiest size to fold. You can do the whole thing standing with the sheet held in front of you. Twin XL (common in college dorms) is the same width as twin but 5 inches longer, so the final folded rectangle is slightly taller - everything else identical.
Deep-pocket fitted sheets (for thick mattresses or toppers). The elastic is loose enough that nesting the corners feels sloppier, but the method still works. The first corner-flip is the trickiest because the deep pocket has more slack; pin the seam straight with your thumb when you nest the second corner so the edge doesn't twist.
Crib and toddler sheets. Small enough to fold like a regular flat sheet if you tuck the elastic in first. Lay flat, push all four elastic corners toward the center, then fold the resulting square in half twice. Skip the corner-nesting entirely.
Satin, silk, or sateen fitted sheets. Slippery fabric resists the nesting motion. Work on a slightly textured surface (a folded blanket on top of a bed) so the fabric doesn't slide off your hand mid-flip. Otherwise the method is the same.
Common questions about folding fitted sheets
Five questions we get most often about getting fitted sheets to fold flat without giving up and shoving them in the linen closet.
Why is folding a fitted sheet so hard?
The elastic-hemmed corners are what make the sheet stay on the mattress, and they're what make folding awkward. Every other piece of laundry has flat edges to align; a fitted sheet has four pocketed corners that pull the rest of the fabric in unpredictable directions. The corner-nesting method works because it converts those four 3D corners into one stacked corner before you start folding the flat parts.
How do I fold a king-size fitted sheet by myself?
Same nested-corners method, just lay the sheet on a bed or table partway through. After step 3 of the technique, set the partially-nested sheet flat on a bed, then complete the corner-flips while it's lying down. You're not strong-arming a giant sheet through the air; you're working it into shape on a surface.
Should I iron my fitted sheets?
Almost never. The elastic edges can't take the heat, and the cotton-elastic blend at the seams will shrink unevenly. If you absolutely need crease-free sheets, iron only the flat sections (top and bottom faces) with the iron on cotton setting, and avoid the elastic corners entirely. Most fitted sheets release wrinkles within a few hours on the bed; just put them on damp from the dryer and skip the iron.
How do I store folded fitted sheets so they stay neat?
The bedsheet-set trick: fold the matching flat sheet and pillowcases first, then place the folded fitted sheet on top, and tuck the entire stack inside one of the pillowcases. The pillowcase holds the set together and keeps the fitted sheet from unfolding under its own weight. Plus you find the matching set immediately.
Why has the elastic on my fitted sheet stretched out?
Heat damage from a too-hot dryer is the usual cause. Polyester elastic loses its memory at high temperatures and never quite recovers. Wash fitted sheets in cold or warm water and tumble dry low (or hang to dry). If the elastic is already shot, you can sometimes restore tension by sewing a new piece of 1/4-inch elastic into the corner pocket, but for most people a fresh sheet is cheaper than the hour of sewing.
