Folding long sleeve button-ups can feel like wrestling an alligator—messy, frustrating, and likely to leave you sweating. But don’t worry, there’s a ridiculously simple method that’ll have your shirts looking crisp and stacked in seconds. No origami skills required, just a flat surface and a little patience. Let’s break it down so you can finally conquer that laundry pile like a pro.
First things first: ditch the bed or couch. A table, countertop, or even the floor (if it’s clean) is your new best friend. Smooth out any wrinkles before you start—this isn’t the time to fold over last night’s pizza crumbs. Lay the shirt face-down with the sleeves spread wide, like it’s trying to hug the table. Buttoning the middle button helps keep things stable, but skip it if you’re in a hurry. The goal here is control, not perfection.
Now for the magic trick. Fold one sleeve diagonally toward the center, lining up the edge with the shirt’s side seam. Think of it as creating a neat triangle—no floppy ends allowed. Repeat with the other sleeve, so they overlap slightly in the middle. This keeps the cuffs from popping out later like overeager party guests. If your sleeves are extra-long, you might need to fold them back once more, but avoid overdoing it. Bulk is the enemy of tidy stacks.
Time to bring it all together. Grab the bottom hem and fold it up to meet the collar, keeping those sleeves snug inside. For dress shirts, aim to leave a inch of collar visible at the top—it makes grabbing one shirt without disrupting the others way easier. If you’re working with flannels or thicker fabrics, a second fold (bringing the bottom up again) can help prevent unfolding chaos. Pro tip: Smooth your hands over the shirt after each fold to banish air pockets that cause bulging.
Here’s where personal preference kicks in. Folding shirts vertically (standing them on end in drawers) saves space and lets you see every option at a glance—Marie Kondo’s go-to. But if you’re stacking in a closet or suitcase, horizontal folds are sturdier. Just rotate your finished fold 90 degrees before piling. Bonus points for alternating collar directions in stacks to balance the weight. No more toppling towers of cotton when you reach for your favorite plaid.
Even the best fold can lose to stubborn wrinkles. Combat them by storing shirts no more than 10 high, or slip a piece of cardboard between every few shirts to distribute pressure. For travel, roll belts or socks and tuck them into the collar curve to maintain shape. And if all else fails? Hang the shirt in the bathroom during a hot shower. Steam works miracles while you brush your teeth.
There you have it—a no-nonsense system that turns laundry dread into a two-minute task. Once you get the rhythm down, you’ll be folding faster than a blackjack dealer. And hey, if your first attempt looks more like a crumpled napkin than a boutique display, just shake it out and try again. Even laundry rebels can reform.
