Fitted sheets with their handy rounded elasticized corners have been around since the 1960s. And people have been trying to figure out the easiest way to fold them from the beginning of fitted sheet time! They are especially frustrating for people with low mobility, and everyone from the busy mom to the bachelor is still wrestling with their fitted sheets on laundry day.
Invented and patented by Bertha Berman in 1959, the fitted sheet solved the problem of flat sheets coming untucked and bunching up under the sleeper. While many of our vintage grandmothers could fold a fitted sheet for their three-quarter or full-size bed, modern day grandmothers are trying to fold king and queen size fitted sheets – and they want an easier way!
How Many Sets
While we’re at it, let’s talk about how many sets of sheets you need for each bed. The number of sets you have per bed will impact how much storage space you need, regardless of how you fold them.
I vote TWO sets of sheets per bed. One set on the bed, and one set in the wash (or storage). If you have little kids who still wet the bed occasionally, or family members with chronic health issues, you may need extra sets or multiples of special pads. Some people say they only have ONE set that they take off, wash, and put back on – great! But I still like having a backup set just in case the cat barfs on my bed.
I did a little research on the traditional and non-traditional ways to fold a fitted sheet (look for articles by The Spruce, Martha Stewart, or Real Simple), and here are my favorite methods.
Rolling: Instead of folding, try rolling the fitted sheet. This can be quicker and results in a more compact storage solution. Fold the flat sheet into a long rectangle. Tuck in the corners of the fitted sheet, smooth it out on top of the flat sheet, add folded pillowcases, and roll it tightly from one end to the other. These rolled sheet sets fit in your linen closet like a sleepy sausages. Everything goes in and out of storage as one piece!
Storing in Pillowcases: Store your fitted and flat sheets inside a matching pillowcase. This keeps all parts of your sheet set together and eliminates the need for precise folding. Just tuck the sheets and any extra pillowcases into one pillowcase (I give it a little shake to help the sheets and cases settle to the bottom), roll it up, fold the opening over, and place it in your linen closet. This is the best method if you’re training kids to help with laundry.
Using Storage Bins, Baskets, or Dresser Drawers: Place fitted sheets in bins, baskets, or drawers without folding. Designate separate spaces for different sheet sets or sizes. This method is straightforward and keeps your sheets organized without the hassle of folding them AT ALL.
All of these methods keep the set together in storage, so you won’t be scrambling for pillowcases, regardless of how many cases you use for a set. Folded fitted sheet purists may shudder at these alternatives, but we know that there’s more than one way to untangle the conundrum of fitted sheets.
Thanks for reading,
Dee Selby
Professional Organizer & Productivity Coach
