How to fold a t-shirt so it comes out flat
Short answer: Lay the t-shirt with the back up, fold the sleeves in, fold the sides in and finally fold across. The result is a flat rectangle that can stand upright in the drawer and does not topple when you take another.
Start with a flat surface
Find a level surface such as a table, a bed or a clear floor without hair and crumbs. Without a flat surface the folds go crooked, and the rectangle never becomes quite straight. If you take a minute to clear the surface, you save many attempts and avoid folding the same garment twice.
Step by step: lay it out and smooth
Lay the t-shirt flat with the back up and smooth it out with your hand, so there are no bulges or creases in the fabric. Straighten the shoulders and pull the seams so they lie straight. A smooth start is half the work, and the rest almost does itself once the fabric lies as it should.
Fold the sides in
Fold each side in towards the middle, so the edge runs straight down from the shoulder. Make both sides the same so the width stays even all the way down. If you use your hand as a measure, you can repeat it every time without measuring, and it gives a neat, regular fold that is easy to repeat.
Put the sleeve back
Lay the sleeve flat back over the fold, so it does not stick out to the side. If the sleeve is long, fold it down along the edge so it follows the shape. Sleeves should not lie in crooked kinks, or the whole rectangle looks off and the stack goes uneven when you place several on top of each other.
The last fold
Fold the bottom third up and then the top third down over it. That turns the garment into a rectangle with a flat back. If the t-shirt is long, you can fold across twice until the rectangle fits the height of the drawer. Read more about bamboo clothing for men.
Why the back should face up
The back should face up, because otherwise pressure from the front leaves marks in the fabric that shows. The back is usually plain and without print or label, so it copes with lying face down on the surface. That way the front looks clean when you take the garment out. See also the bamboo t-shirt for women.
How it stands upright
Stand the rectangle on its edge in the drawer with the fold down, so you can see the edge of each t-shirt. Because the back is flat, each fold can lean on its neighbour. Leave a little room between the rows, so you can take one out without pulling the rest. See also bamboo clothing for women.
If the t-shirt is thin or slippery
Thin and slippery t-shirts slide easily, so the fold can come undone on its own. Pull the fold a little tighter and stand them close, so they support each other. Use a small divider of cardboard or fabric if the drawer is large and you need to keep the rows apart.
How often to refold
Refold only when the stack topples or when the garment has been worn. If you put a clean t-shirt back in the stack without wearing it, it can stay with the same fold. That saves time and spares the fabric unnecessary handling, which otherwise adds more creases than needed.
Frequently asked questions
How many folds are needed?
Four. Two in the sides and two across. With that order the t-shirt becomes a flat rectangle that stands upright and can be taken out without knocking over the rest of the stack.
Can you fold without a table?
It is rarely as flat. Use a level surface, for example the bed or a desk, so the folds lie straight and neat from the first try.
How often should you refold?
Only when the stack topples or the garment has been worn. A clean t-shirt can stay with its fold, and that saves both time and unnecessary wear on the fabric.
See our range of bamboo t shirts for men.
