How To Fold Pool Towels To Save Space

Whether you have a pool at home and are struggling to store your towels or if you're getting ready to pack for a vacation, it can be difficult to find a way to fold towels so they don't take up too much space. Pool and beach towels are often different sizes from other towels and may vary in thickness. A standard bath towel, for example, measures 27 inches x 52 inches, while a beach towel is slightly larger at 31 inches x 63 inches. The bottom line is there's a lot of fabric to fold and account for when organizing or packing, but it turns out there are a number of ways to fold pool towels neatly without them overtaking your closet or suitcase.

For instance, rather than stuffing your pool towel(s) into the bottom of a bag for a trip, folding or rolling them tightly will keep them neater, as well as save space. For storage, one way to fold pool towels efficiently mimics the way they're folded in stores. With this method, the towels will resemble small squares and can be gracefully stacked on top of each other. To do this, lay the towel horizontally and fold it in half, putting the two shorter edges together. From there, fold the towel into thirds one way and then the other.

Another great way to fold your pool towels is into small rectangles. Start by folding the towel in half lengthwise. Bring the bottom portion of the towel to the middle and then bring the top down to the fold on the bottom. This should create an elongated rectangle. From there, take the left side of the towel over to the right, creating a more compact rectangle. With this fold, your towels can be stored nicely on shelves or easily slip into a tote bag.

You can also try folding your towels so they can stand up and be displayed as decoration in your pool house. Make sure to place the side of the towel with the design downward before you start folding so it shows when you're finished. Fold the towel into thirds lengthwise and then fold it in half hamburger style. Then, fold the two short ends into the middle of the towel, leaving a small gap between the edges. Finally, fold in half where the gap is.

If you prefer to roll your pool towels rather than fold them, the TikTok method above will keep them tightly rolled and from coming undone. First, lay the towel flat and fold one corner diagonally across the center of the towel, forming a point at the end. Take the same corner on the opposite end of the towel and fold it in half so that it lines up with the other side. Bring the straight end up to the center where your previous folds meet and roll it tightly. Once you've reached the pointed end, tuck the end into the roll of your towel to secure everything in place.

Another way to roll pool towels is to fold the long ends of the towel together and then create a pocket on one end of the towel by folding the end down. Then, fold the sides of the newly shaped towel toward the center, creating a more narrow rectangle. Next, roll the towel from the bottom (not the end with the pocket) up to the top. Finally, pull the pocket you previously created around the entire rolled towel, and you've got a compact-sized, space-saving pool or beach towel perfect for traveling or storage.