How to fold T-shirts

Sep 12, 2026

Short answer: Lay the T-shirt back side up, fold the sleeves in, fold the sides towards the middle and fold once across. The pile stays even, and the shirt gets no sharp crease across the chest.

Start with the back facing up

Lay the T-shirt flat on a bed or table with the back facing up and the front facing down. Smooth the fabric with your hand so no small wrinkles are trapped underneath. When you fold from the back, every fold ends up behind the shirt and not on the front. The same goes for tops from our bamboo underwear for women.

Fold the sleeves in first

Fold each sleeve in over the back so it lies parallel to the side seam. On a short sleeved T-shirt this is only a small flap, but it matters, because the sleeve otherwise sticks out of the pile and wrinkles. On a long sleeved top, lay the sleeve down along the side so it does not hang over the edge.

Fold the sides towards the middle

Now fold each side in towards the middle of the back so the two sides are the same width. Use the neckline as a guide, so the edge lines up with the shoulder seam on both sides. Two equal sides give a rectangle with the same width every time, and a pile that does not topple. It works just as well on the top from a bamboo jogging suit.

Only one fold across

Finally, fold the shirt once across, from the hem up towards the neck. Several folds across leave sharp edges that stay in the fabric until the shirt has been worn for a few hours. A single fold lies flat on the shelf and makes a parcel that fits most drawers and wardrobes without being pressed down.

Why sharp creases stay

A fold turns sharp when the fabric is pressed along the same line for a long time. The more layers on top, the harder the edge is pressed. That is why the shirts at the bottom of a tall pile show the clearest marks. Fewer folds and lower piles mean the fabric rests more evenly and the shirt looks neat when you take it out.

Fold right after drying

The best time to fold a T-shirt is right after it has dried. The fabric is smooth and no new wrinkles have formed yet. Take the shirt off the drying rack and give it one firm shake before folding, and many small wrinkles disappear on their own. Leave the laundry in a basket for days, and the weight presses it into random creases.

Put the pile in the drawer the right way

Place the folded T-shirts with the folded edge facing you, so you can see each one. If the drawer is deep, stand them on edge instead of stacking them, so you do not have to lift the top ones to reach the bottom one. Keep piles low on a shelf, so you can pull out a shirt without the rest falling over.

The same method for the whole wardrobe

Once you are used to the method, it works on almost every top in soft fabric, from vests and long sleeved tops to light sweatshirts. The result is a wardrobe where everything has the same width and can sit side by side on the shelf. Browse all women's clothing and see how the different tops fit into the same system.

Frequently asked questions

How do you fold a T-shirt neatly

Lay it back side up, fold the sleeves in, fold the sides towards the middle and fold once across. The front stays smooth and the edges stay straight.

Why should the back face up

Because the folds then end up on the back. The front stays smooth, and any print gets no sharp crease, even when the shirt stays in the drawer for a while.