Follow These Classic Tips From Martha Stewart For Perfectly Folded Clothes

Folding clothes is high on the list of chores many of us would likely not do if it weren't necessary. It's even more annoying when you're done folding and your pile still looks like something straight out of the dryer. Thankfully, you can try this nifty cardboard hack that will make laundry folding a breeze or even get one of those laundry folding machines that went viral on TikTok. But if you still want to learn how to fold without the hacks, as always, Martha Stewart has classic tips to help with your jeans, T-shirts, and those frustrating button-down shirts.

Let's start with the jeans. In a video she shared on YouTube, Martha said to begin with a clean pair of jeans that have been zipped, buttoned up, and placed on a flat surface. Fold the jeans widthwise with one leg over the other. It should look like just one leg, with the back pockets facing you. Ensure the hems at the bottom are even and smooth out any creases. Now fold the hems to touch the bottom of the back pockets. Fold a second time, this time taking the first fold point up to the waistband of your jeans. And that's it. The video also advises that for smoother piles, you should store your jeans upside down i.e. the side with a visible back pocket should be facing down.

For your button-down shirts, Martha Stewart points out that you don't need to button the entire shirt or cuffs before folding. Just the top and third buttons will do. Place the shirt upside down on a flat surface, with the front facing down, and smooth out any creases. Fold one side of the shirt inward, aligning the edge with the middle seam. The sleeve on that side should extend down toward the hem, then you fold it so the cuff meets the back of the shirt collar. Repeat the same steps for the second side of the shirt. That side will overlap over the first so make sure to flatten out any creases that might form. Fold the bottom of the shirt up some inches toward the center, then fold it again so the collar lines up with the final fold. Your button-down shirt should be ready now.

Your sweaters won't be left balled up too. To fold them, start with the front of the sweater facing downward. Take one sleeve and fold it towards the other side of the sweater, right across the back. Repeat for the second sleeve. Fold the edge of the sweater in to the center and do the same for the second side. Now fold the sweater in half so the bottom hem is touching the back of the neckline. A small tip we caught from the video on Martha's YouTube channel is that you should store the sweaters with the neckline facing up.

This T-shirt folding tip is also called the Japanese fast fold. It can seem difficult at first but when you get the hang of it, you could be folding your tees within two seconds! So here's how it goes. Place your shirt on a flat surface with the neckline on your left and the bottom hem to your right. Before the next step, imagine a straight line running down the left side of the shirt, starting from the middle of the shoulder down to the bottom hem. Lightly pinch the starting point of that line, just between the neckline and the sleeve seam, with your left hand. Pinch another spot about 2 inches down the line with your other hand. Now you have to take the point you pinched with your left hand down to meet the bottom hem of the shirt, still following the imaginary straight line.

After you've grabbed the hem, you'll notice your hands are crossed over each other. This might seem weird but you're on track. Lift the shirt to hang in front of you while slowly uncrossing your hands, making sure not to let go of any of the points your fingers are still pinching. Still holding those points, shake down the shirt a little to remove any creases. One of the sleeves will be hanging down so place it on your flat surface and fold the body of your shirt over it. Now, you've folded your T-shirt like a laundry pro.