5 Ways to Fold Shorts like a Pro So You Stay Organized

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Plus, expert tips on keeping your shorts wrinkle-free
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Are you looking to reorganize your spring and summer wardrobe? With so many folding techniques out there, you might not know the best way to put away your shorts (and be able to find them again). Don’t worry, because we’re here to walk you through the best and most popular folding techniques, including the basic folding method , the Marie Kondo method , the rolling method , and more. Read on to learn how to fold and store your shorts for daily use, packing, and travel, with expert tips from professional organizers and a professional cleaner.

How to Fold Shorts to Save Space

Professional organizer Julie Naylon believes that how you fold shorts depends on which method is easiest to maintain. Also, consider the closet (or drawer) space itself, which can dictate how things should be placed. Use a basic fold to get started:

  1. Fold your shorts in half vertically and align the legs.
  2. Fold them horizontally, aligning the waistband and leg cuff.
  3. Position your shorts so the horizontal fold is on top and the waist/legs are facing down.
  4. Fold the shorts down from the waistband in thirds into a compact rectangle.
  5. Store your shorts upright in the drawer instead of stacked on top of each other.
Section 1 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts Using a Basic Fold

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  1. 1
    Lay the shorts flat. Begin with your shorts laid on a flat surface—a table or counter is ideal for folding shorts, or use the top of a dresser or bureau. The front of the shorts should be facing up before you start folding.
    • Before folding, you may choose to give your shorts a quick, hard flap to remove any existing wrinkles. When doing so, hold them by the fly or crotch of the shorts.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Julie Naylon is the founder of No Wire Hangers, a professional organizing service that provides residential and office organizing and consulting services.

    Keith Bartolomei is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and a Certified KonMari Consultant with over 6 years of experience.

    Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO® is a certified professional organizer (CPO) and Founder of Clear Home Solutions, a home organizing and senior moving management company.

    Bridgett Price is a House Cleaning Professional and Co-Owner of Maid Easy. She has over 8 years of experience in the industry.

  2. Fold them vertically (length-wise) along the seam, so both back pockets of your shorts are touching one another. Then, smooth out the shorts with your hands. [1]
    • You can give the shorts another flap at this point to encourage any wrinkles to smooth out.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Fold the bottom of the shorts upward in the direction of the waistband to form a narrow rectangle. [2]
  4. 4
    Fold the shorts down from the waistband. Starting at the waistband, fold the shorts in thirds to create a smaller, compact rectangle. Smooth out any wrinkles before placing the shorts in a drawer. You can stack the folded shorts on top of other pieces of clothing for more storage.
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Section 2 of 8:

Folding Shorts like Marie Kondo

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Lay the shorts on a flat surface and start by folding the shorts vertically over the center seam, so both sides of the shorts line up. Professional organizer & certified KonMari consultant Keith Bartolomei describes this step as “folding the shorts into a rectangle by folding the seat part over.” [4] [5]
  2. 2
    Fold your shorts horizontally. Line up the waistband with the bottom of the shorts before folding them horizontally. “Create everything into a rectangle and make sure it stands up,” states Bartolomei.
  3. Instead of stacking your shorts on top of one another, place them next to each other in your drawer so that each pair is visible. “That way, when you open the drawer, you can see what you have,” says Bartolomei. You’ll also have an easier time finding what you need when getting ready in the morning. [8]
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Section 3 of 8:

Folding Shorts Using the Tri-Fold Method

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Grab your shorts and lay them on a flat surface, like your bed or a table. Flatten them out with your hands so the fabric is nice and smooth. Then, grab the waistband and fold it outward so the opening is facing the legs of your shorts. [9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Grab your short leg and fold it in half vertically. Make sure the inside is facing the opposite leg. Then, grab the opposite leg and fold it in half vertically. Once you have the two half-folds, fold your shorts in half so the legs are on top of each other. [10]
    • This method works best if your shorts are made of a thin material.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Make sure your rolls are nice and tight. Smooth out any air from the shorts as you roll to keep them as compact as you can. Keep rolling up until you reach the top of the waistband. [11]
  4. Once you’ve completed your roll, grab the remaining flap that’s left over from your waistband, then fold it over the rolled shorts to hold it all together. Once the fold is secure, your shorts will be able to stay in place and even stand on their own if you’d like. [12]
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Section 4 of 8:

Folding Shorts Using the Rolling Method

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    With the shorts laid on a flat surface, fold the waistband at least 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) forward, so the top part of your shorts is inside-out. Then, smooth and straighten out the legs of your shorts, so they won’t be too wrinkly once they’re folded. [13]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Fold your shorts vertically across the central seam, while lining up both legs. Then, fold the fly of your shorts in, so they’re easier to roll. [14]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Turn your folded shorts so the pant legs are facing you. Starting at the bottom of the legs, pinch and roll the material toward the waistband. Then, pull the folded waistband over the rolled fabric—it’ll act like a pocket for your folded shorts. [15]
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Section 5 of 8:

Folding Shorts Using the Waist Pocket Method

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Face the front of your shorts towards you. Grab one leg and fold it towards the other leg so the pockets are touching. Then, smooth the shorts out with your hands, moving them from the center outward. [17]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    If your shorts have any extra slack in hemming towards the back, grab it and fold it towards the front of your shorts so that you form a rectangle. [18]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Take the top half of your shorts where the waist is, and fold it into the middle of your shorts to make a small rectangle. Fold it so the waist sits about halfway down your shorts. [19]
    • Hold the back hem down while you do this.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fold Shorts
    Take the leg-end of your shorts and fold it into the waist gap (also called the waist pocket). Push enough of the leg end into the pocket so your shorts go from a rectangle to a square. [20]
    • Once you fold the edge into the pockets, the shorts will be secure enough to stay folded on their own.
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Section 6 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts for Packing & Travel

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  1. Rolling your shorts when you’re packing for travel can help save space in your suitcase and prevent wrinkles. It’s important to remember that stacking them in the suitcase can also take up more space. [21]
Section 7 of 8:

Should I fold or hang my shorts?

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  1. Wrinkle-prone fabrics, like linen, will probably fare better on a hanger. However, casual garments, like your khaki and denim shorts, are perfectly safe to fold and store. [22]
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Section 8 of 8:

How to Prevent Your Shorts From Wrinkling

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  1. Before you start folding, grab your shorts along the waistband and shake them out. Then, fold your shorts in half vertically and shake them out again. As when folding any clothes in general, smooth out the top of the fabric to get rid of any obvious wrinkles in your shorts. [23]
  2. According to professional cleaner Bridgett Price, “the best way to reduce wrinkles is to use the dryer.” [24] The permanent press setting helps set the right temperature for the clothes so they don’t wrinkle when they cool down. With this method, it’s important to hang or fold your shorts immediately, because “the longer they sit, the more likely they’re going to wrinkle,” according to Price. [25]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-fold-shorts/
      2. ↑ https://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-fold-shorts/
      3. ↑ Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®. Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Keith Bartolomei. Professional Organizer & Certified KonMari Consultant. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkmqbJTLBM&t=3m43s
      6. ↑ Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®. Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ Keith Bartolomei. Professional Organizer & Certified KonMari Consultant. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/marie-kondos-3-best-storage-tips
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=jJYbSZ2b03H7eqKm&t=249
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=49NmAj1xkQ4HN6ub&t=262
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=fXYpNilb4N3ZFN7p&t=276
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=nav5AqBW9LucDWwd&t=281
      4. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nw9rXfs05g&t=1m45s
      5. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nw9rXfs05g&t=2m11s
      6. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nw9rXfs05g&t=2m29s
      7. ↑ Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®. Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager. Expert Interview
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=rDAyo3m6LXsTvH8M&t=58
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=X_EQFe7Oyu-453b1&t=71
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=FqrobS0HaC4j2-7U&t=80
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=RGer_sFa2fgWywo5&t=87
      12. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/folding-vs-rolling-vs-packing-cubes-pack-suitcase/
      13. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2016/03/22/how-to-store-clothes-to-make-them-last/
      14. ↑ https://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-fold-shorts/
      15. ↑ Bridgett Price. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview
      16. ↑ Bridgett Price. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To fold shorts, first lay them face-up on a flat surface. Fold them in half once vertically. Then, fold them in half horizontally, lining up the waistband and the bottom of the legs. Store your folded shorts upright side-by-side in a drawer instead of stacking them on top of each other so they’re easier to find when you need them. To roll shorts so they’re more compact for packing, first fold the waistband down about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) over the front. Then, fold the shorts in half vertically. Finally, roll the bottom of the legs up toward the top of the shorts and tuck the roll into the waistband. For shorts made with wrinkle-prone fabric, like linen, try hanging them on a hanger instead of folding them to avoid wrinkles.

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