How to fold T-shirts so they take least space

Short answer: Fold the sleeves in towards the middle, fold lengthways, then roll or fold once more. Rolled T-shirts take up the least space in a bag, while folded ones stack best in a drawer.

Folding for the drawer

Lay the T-shirt face down, fold the sleeves towards the middle and fold the sides in to get a long strip about a third of the width. Then fold it across two or three times. Stand them upright in the drawer so you can see every T-shirt at once, including those from men's bamboo tank tops.

Rolling for the bag

For a bag or suitcase, rolling works best. Fold the sleeves in, fold the T-shirt lengthways and roll tightly from the neck down to the hem. A rolled T-shirt takes up less space and creases less than a folded one, because there are no sharp folds. That also applies to the styles in Copenhagen Bamboo bestsellers.

Standing them upright

Upright stacking means you do not mess up the pile every time you look for a particular colour. You just take the one you want and the rest stays in place. It is the easiest way to keep things tidy, and it works just as well for thick and thin pieces. It also keeps women's bamboo tops neat in the drawer.

Fold everything to the same size

For a calm looking drawer, fold every T-shirt to the same width and height. Use the depth of the drawer as your guide, so they fill it without toppling over. Some people use a piece of cardboard or a book as a template, so each T-shirt ends up the same width. It takes a little longer the first time, then goes quickly.

Tank tops and thin tops

Thin tops and tank tops have no sleeves to fold in, so they are easiest folded lengthways in three and then rolled or folded twice. Because the fabric is light, they can be rolled very tightly. Put them in a small basket or drawer divider so they do not slide around between the thicker T-shirts.

Packing for travel

In a suitcase, rolled T-shirts fill the gaps, for example between shoes and a toiletry bag. Put the heaviest items at the bottom and the rolled T-shirts on top or along the sides. If you pack for several days, you can roll a whole outfit together so each roll is one day. That way you will not need to dig around when unpacking.

How to avoid creases

Creases form when fabric is pressed together for a long time with sharp folds. So fold as few times as possible, and do not stack too high, or the bottom T-shirt gets pressed flat. Take clothes off the drying rack and fold them straight away while they are still smooth.

What should hang

Most T-shirts are best kept folded, because a hanger can pull the neck and shoulders out of shape over time. Shirts, blouses and clothes with sharp pressed creases are the ones that should hang. If you still want to hang T-shirts, use wide hangers and slide them in from the bottom so the neckline is not stretched.

Frequently asked questions

Do T-shirts crease from lying folded

Only if they lie in a pressed pile. Upright stacking solves it, because no T-shirt carries the weight of the others.

What takes up least space in a suitcase

Rolled T-shirts. They fill the gaps, adapt to the space and crease less than folded pieces.

Should T-shirts hang on hangers

Not necessary. Hangers can stretch the neckline if the fabric is heavy, so folded and upright is usually best.