Marie Kondo’s method of folding clothes showed me that folding laundry doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, it can be uplifting and contribute to a very neat and organized space. While I’ve never been a huge fan of doing laundry, the KonMari folding method changed my outlook, and I even adopted it in parts of my closet.
Hi, I’m Ryan
I enjoy keeping a minimal and organized home. Marie Kondo’s method has helped me shake up my perspective on simple day-to-day chores. By following her suggestions, I learned how folding clothes can be a peaceful practice that helps me to appreciate, take care of and easily sort the clothes I have.
How To Fold Clothing Like Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo treats folding clothes like a pleasant household ritual—much like doing origami. Her signature technique for folding clothes, or “file folding clothes,” is a unique way of caring for your clothing and linen. Remember that folding comes after tidying and decluttering your clothes.
The way I see it, when you begin to fold your textiles per Marie Kondo’s guidelines, you embrace a new way of caring for them. Her method has helped me save space and avoid wrinkles, while also keeping my space organized. It’s definitely worth giving it a try.
How To File Fold Clothes
- Fold everything into small rectangles, making them look like slim packets that can stand upright on their own.
- Store items vertically in a drawer or storage bin. True to the name, it’ll look just like a filing cabinet.
“With slight pressure, slide your hand over the fabric after each fold to keep it smooth while folded..”
How To Fold Pants Like Marie Kondo
- Fold your pants in half, widthwise, one leg over the other.
- Fold in the seat of the pants to create a straight edge.
- Fold the legs upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold in half, lengthwise.
- Fold in half again to form a small rectangle.
- Stand the pants upright.
How Marie Kondo Folds A T-Shirt
- Lay your T-shirt flat in front of you, face up.
- Fold one side of the shirt vertically across the center.
- Fold this sleeve back.
- Fold the other side of the shirt across the center and fold back the second sleeve.
- Fold in half or thirds horizontally, starting from the collar down.
- Stand your T-shirt upright.
Marie Kondo Method For Folding Shorts
- Lay your shorts out flat, face up.
- Fold in half, widthwise.
- Fold in the seat of the shorts to create a straight edge.
- Fold in half or thirds lengthwise, so that it can stand upright.
How To Fold A Towel
- Lay your towel flat in front of you, with the decorative side facing down. You will be folding it in thirds.
- Fold a third of it across the center, lengthwise.
- Fold the other side across the center.
- If the towel size allows for it, fold it in thirds once more.
- Take one end across the middle.
- Fold the other end over it.
How To Fold Socks Like Marie Kondo
- Lay your socks flat as a pair, with one sock on top of the other.
- Fold them in half, with the toes toward the cuffs.
- Fold in half again as needed to form a small rectangle.
Konmari Method For Folding Sweaters
- Lay your sweater flat in front of you, face up.
- Fold one side vertically toward the center.
- Fold the top sleeve back on itself and straight out.
- Fold the sleeve over and down, tucked in along the side of your sweater.
- Fold the second side and sleeve.
- Fold in half or thirds horizontally, starting from the top and folding inward until it can stand upright.
How To Fold Underwear
- Lay your underwear flat in front of you.
- Fold the bottom up toward the waistband.
- Fold one side from the waistband towards the center.
- Fold the other side of the waistband towards the center.
How Marie Kondo Folds Jeans
- Fold one leg over the other.
- Fold in the seat of the jeans to create a straight edge.
- Fold the legs upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold in half again, bringing the legs upward toward the waistband.
- Fold the jeans in half once more to create a small rectangle.
- Stand your jeans upright.
How To Fold Fitted Sheets Llike Marie Kondo Does
- Lay the fitted sheet on a flat surface, with the elastic band facing up.
- Fold the sheet in thirds, widthwise, bringing one side in across the center.
- Fold the other side toward the center. This should leave you with a long rectangle.
- Fold the fitted sheet in half, lengthwise.
- Fold the fitted sheet in half once more, so that it can stand upright.
How To Fold A Scarf
- Fold the scarf in half, lengthwise.
- Fold it in half again.
- Fold it in half once more, so that it can stand upright.
How To Fold Tank Tops In The Konmari Method
- Lay your tank top flat in front of you.
- Fold it in thirds to the center, vertically.
- Fold the tank top in half horizontally, leaving a small gap before the straps meet the hem.Fold it in half once more, so that it can stand upright.
How To Fold Leggings Like Marie Kondo
- Lay the leggings flat in front of you.
- Fold the leggings in half, widthwise, one leg over the other.
- Fold the bottom of the legs up toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold the leggings in half again, so that it can stand upright.
How Marie Kondo Folds Hoodies
- Lay your hoodie out in front of you, face up.
- Fold in the arms and fold the hood down.
- Fold the hoodie in half once or twice, starting from the top and folding inward.
- Stand the hoodie upright.
How To Fold Baby Clothes Such As Onesies
- Lay the piece out flat in front of you, face down.
- Fold one of the sleeves in toward the center.
- Fold in the other sleeve. You should be left with straight edges along the sides.
- Fold the onesie in half, lengthwise, bringing the legs in toward the collar.
- Fold in half again.
- Stand the onesie upright.
How To Fold A Dress Like Marie
- Lay the dress flat in front of you, face up.
- Fold one side across the center, stacking the sleeves.
- Fold the sleeve straight down, tucking it in along the edge of the dress. Fold in the skirt so that your dress can form a rectangle.
- Fold in the other side, then fold the sleeve straight down. Fold in the skirt on the other side to form a rectangle.
- Fold the dress in half or thirds as needed to fit your storage unit.
How Marie Kondo Folds A Blanket
- Lay the blanket out flat in front of you.
- Fold one-third in, toward the center, widthwise.
- Fold the other third in toward the center.
- You should be left with a smaller rectangle.
- Fold one-third in toward the center, lengthwise.
- Fold the other third in, standing it upright.
Folding Yoga Pants Like Marie Kondo
- Lay your yoga pants flat in front of you.
- Fold them in half, widthwise.
- Fold the legs upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold the yoga pants in half again, so that they can stand upright.
How To Fold A Tablecloth In The Konmari Method
- Lay the tablecloth flat in front of you.
- Fold one-third in toward the center, widthwise.
- Fold the other third in toward the center.
- You should be left with a smaller rectangle.
- Fold one-third in toward the center, lengthwise.
- Fold the other third in, standing it upright.
How Marie Kondo Folds Turtleneck Sweaters
- Lay your turtleneck sweater flat in front of you.
- Fold the sweater in half, widthwise.
- Fold the sleeves straight out across the sweater, and fold the neck downward.
- Wrap and tuck the sleeves around the sweater.
- Fold the sweater in half or thirds, starting from the bottom and folding upward until it can stand upright.
Folding A Blouse Like Marie Kondo
- Lay your blouse flat in front of you, face up
- Fold the sleeves in and down towards the center.
- Fold the blouse in half widthwise.
- Fold the top of the blouse down towards the bottom lengthwise.
- Fold in half or thirds, starting from the top and folding inward.
How To Fold A Washcloth
- Lay the washcloth flat in front of you.
- Fold it in thirds, widthwise.
- Fold it in once again.
- You should be left with a rectangle.
- Fold the top one-third down toward the center.
- Fold in the other third, standing it upright.
How To File Fold A Pillowcase
- Lay the pillowcase flat in front of you.
- Fold it in thirds, widthwise.
- Fold it in thirds once again.
- You should be left with a smaller rectangle.
- Fold one-third in toward the center, lengthwise.
- Fold in the other third and stand it upright.
How To Fold A Duvet Cover Like Marie Kondo
- Lay the duvet cover flat in front of you.
- Fold one-third in toward the center, widthwise.
- Fold the other third in toward the center.
- You should be left with a smaller rectangle.
- Fold one-third in toward the center, lengthwise.
- Fold in the other third and stand it upright.
Example How To Fold Onesies
- Lay the onesie flat in front of you, face down.
- Fold one of the sleeves in toward the center.
- Fold in the other sleeve to form straight edges along the sides.
- Fold the onesie in half, lengthwise, bringing the legs in toward the collar.
- Fold it in half again.
- Stand the onesie upright.
How Marie Kondo Folds A Cardigan
- Lay your cardigan flat in front of you, face up.
- Fold both of the sleeves in and down towards the center.
- Fold the bottom of the cardigan up toward the top lengthwise.
- Fold the top of the sweater in one more until it can stand upright.
How To Fold A Thong
- Lay the thong flat in front of you.
- Fold one of the waistbands across the center.
- Fold the other waistband across the center.
- Fold it in half from the bottom up.
How To File Fold Ties
- Fold the tie in half lengthwise, making sure the tip of the tail touches the label.
- Roll it up from there.
- Let it stand upright.
How To Fold A Bathing Suit Like Marie Kondo
- Lay your bathing suit flat, face up.
- Fold it in half, widthwise.
- Fold in the back of the bathing suit to create a smooth rectangle.
- Fold it in half, lengthwise, so that it can stand upright.
Use The Konmari Method To Fold Boxers
- Lay your boxers flat, face up.
- Fold them in half, widthwise.
- Fold them in half, lengthwise.
- Fold them in half again to create a small rectangle.
Folding Winter Jackets The Konmari Way
- Lay your winter jacket flat in front of you, face up.
- Fold the arms down and towards the center.
- Fold the jacket in half, lengthwise.
- Fold in half or thirds, starting from the bottom upward until it can stand upright.
How To Fold A Suit Jacket For Traveling
- Lay your suit jacket flat in front of you, face up.
- Pull one sleeve out, shifting the shoulder pad inside-out.
- Fold the other shoulder over the inside-out one.
- Align both sides of the coat.
- Fold it over on itself lengthwise.
- Fold in half or thirds, starting from the top, until it forms a small rectangle.
How To File Fold Bras
- Lay the bra out in front of you, cup-side down.
- Fold the straps into the cups.
- Your bra should be able to stand upright.
- Arrange it vertically stacked with your other bras.
How To Fold Sports Bras LIke Marie Kondo
- Lay the sports bra in front of you, face down.
- Fold the straps down toward the band.
- Fold it in half or thirds, widthwise.
- Fold it in half or thirds lengthwise until it can stand upright.
How To File Fold Pajamas in the Konmari Method
- Lay the pajama top flat in front of you.
- Fold the arms down and towards the center.
- Fold the top in half, lengthwise.
- Fold it in half, widthwise. Stand the pajama top upright.
- Lay the pajama bottoms in front of you.
- Fold the legs in half, widthwise.
- Fold the legs upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold in half or thirds to create a rectangle. Stand the pajama bottom upright.
How To File Fold A Towel
- Lay your towel flat in front of you, with the decorative side facing down. You will be folding it in thirds.
- Fold a third of it across the center, lengthwise.
- Fold the other side across the center.
- If the towel size allows for it, fold it in thirds once more.
- Take one end across the middle.
- Fold the other end over it.
How To Fold Skirts Similar to Marie Kondo
- Lay the skirt out flat in front of you.
- Fold one third in vertically across the center.
- Fold the other third in across the center.
- Fold it in half once or twice, lengthwise.
- Stand the skirt upright.
How To Fold Button-Down Shirts To Store in Drawers
- Lay your shirt flat in front of you, face down.
- Fold one side in toward the center vertically, folding the sleeve over and down, along the side of the shirt.
- Repeat on the other side. You should be left with a long rectangle.
- Fold in half bringing the bottom up toward the collar.
- Fold it in half again to form a rectangle. Store it upright.
How To Fold Tights Like Marie Kondo
- Lay the tights out in front of you.
- Fold the tights in half, one leg on top of the other.
- Fold the feet upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold in half as needed to create a rectangle that stands upright.
How To Fold A Nightgown
- Lay the nightgown flat in front of you.
- Fold it in half, vertically.
- Fold it over again.
- Fold the nightgown in half widthwise to create a rectangle that stands up.
Konmari Method For Folding Slips
- Lay the slip flat in front of you.
- Fold the top down if it’s a full slip, and then fold one side in across the center.
- Fold the other side across the center.
- Fold in half lengthwise as needed.
- Store upright.
What Is the Konmari Method For Folding Kids Pants
- Fold the pants in half, widthwise, one leg over the other.
- Fold in the seat of the pants to create a straight edge.
- Fold the bottom of the legs upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold in half, lengthwise.
- Fold in half again to form a small rectangle.
- Stand upright along with other pants.
How To Fold Kids’ Pajamas like Marie Kondo
- Lay the top flat in front of you.
- Fold in the arms.
- Fold the top in half, lengthwise.
- Fold in half, widthwise.
- Lay the pajama bottoms in front of you.
- Fold the pant legs in half, widthwise.
- Fold the legs upward toward the waist, leaving a gap before the waistband.
- Fold in half or thirds to create a rectangle. Store the pajamas upright.
Marie Kondo’s Method For Folding Camisoles
- Lay your camisole flat in front of you.
- Fold one side across the center.
- Fold the other side across the center.
- Fold down the straps.
- Fold the camisole in half, lengthwise.
- Fold it in half again to create a small rectangle that stands upright.
How To Fold Long-Sleeve Shirts
- Lay your shirt flat in front of you, face up.
- Fold one-third of the shirt vertically toward the center.
- Fold the sleeve back across the shirt.
- Fold the sleeve in on itself and straight down along the side.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Fold in half or thirds, starting from the top and folding inward until it can stand upright.
How To File Fold Plastic Bags
- Lay the plastic bag in front of you and smooth out.
- Fold in half, widthwise.
- Fold in half again.
- Fold the straps down.
- Fold the plastic bag in half or thirds, lengthwise, to form a small rectangle.
- Slide your hand down the folded bag to smooth it out and stand upright.
- Arrange it with other plastic bags so that it can stand upright.
How To Fold Shopping Bags Like Marie Kondo
- Lay the shopping bag in front of you and smooth out.
- Fold one-third of it across the center.
- Fold the other third across the center.
- Fold down the straps and fold it in half or thirds.
Apply Marie Kondo’s Folding Method At Your Own Pace
Now you know everything there is to know about file folding. Remember, although Marie Kondo teaches options for folding all manner of items in your home, you don’t need to apply this to everything. It’s up to you how much of this method you choose to incorporate into your tidying-up habits. But you might find that you really like these techniques after seeing the results—bookmark this page for quick and easy reference when you want to come back for more. Most importantly, don’t stress, go at your own pace and have fun with it!
Your Turn!
- Have you tried folding your clothes with the KonMari method?
- Which item do you have the hardest time folding?
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