The Best Ways to Fold Sweaters

Folding your sweaters is the best way to keep them neat, smooth, and wrinkle-free. There are a lot of easy ways to fold your sweaters, whether you’re trying to save space in your dresser, closet, or suitcase. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled all the best ways to fold and store your sweaters, hoodies, and cardigans. Keep reading to learn more!

Easiest Sweater Folding Method

Lay the sweater down on a flat surface (face down).
Fold the sleeves horizontally over the back of the sweater.
Fold the left and right edges of the sweater inward so they meet in the middle.
Fold the bottom hem of the sweater up to the collar.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

The Best Way to Fold a Sweater

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Lay the sweater face down on a flat surface. Most sweaters can be folded like a t-shirt. Just set your sweater on a flat surface, like a table, so the back faces you. Then, smooth it out with your hands to remove any wrinkles.^{[1]
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- This method results in a fold that’s short and thick, making it great for storing rows of sweaters in a drawer or shelf. If you want a fold that’s long but thin, try the rectangle fold below.
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Fold the sleeves straight across the back of the sweater. Take the left sleeve and pull it over to the right side of the sweater. Then, grab the right sleeve and fold it over the left sleeve.^{[2]
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- Flatten the sleeves with your hands to get rid of any wrinkles.
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Imagine there’s a line running vertically down the center of your sweater. Then, take the left side of the sweater and fold it to the imaginary center line.^{[3]
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Fold the right side into the center of the sweater. Grab the right side of the sweater and fold it to the imaginary vertical line running down the sweater’s center. The left and right sides are now touching and your sweater should have a rectangular shape.^{[4]
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- Smooth out any creases that appear with your hands.
Grab the bottom of the sweater and bring it up to the top, folding the sweater in half to make a square shape. Smooth out any creases and then flip the sweater over. Then, flatten any wrinkles on the front of the sweater.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

KonMari Fold for Travel and Saving Space

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Lay the sweater face down on a flat surface. Set your sweater down on a hard, flat surface so the front is facing down. Spread out the sweater and then smooth it out with your hands to remove any creases or bunches.^{[6]
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- The KonMari fold helps maximize the space in your suitcase by flattening out your sweaters, even the bulky ones.
- This fold is also great for everyday sweater storage, helping you to organize your dresser or closet and save space.
- Fold your hoodies and cardigans using the KonMari fold, too.^{[7]
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- The KonMari method was created by organizational expert Marie Kondo.^{[8]
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Fold the left and right sides into the center of the sweater. Picture a line running vertically down the center of your sweater. Grab the left side and fold it to the imaginary center line. Then, take the right side and bring it to the center.^{[9]
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- Alternatively, bring the right side all the way over to the left side. This creates a shorter but thicker fold.^{[10]
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Fold the sleeves over the left and right sides. Place your palm on top of the left sleeve where it folds over the left side of the sweater. Then, use your other hand to grab the sleeve’s cuff and fold the sleeve over the left side, so the cuff touches the bottom of the sweater.^{[11]
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- Do the same fold with the right sleeve. Hold your hand on top of the sleeve where it folds over the right side. Then, grab the cuff and pull the sleeve over the right side of the sweater.
- Use your hands to smooth over the sweater to remove any wrinkles.
- The sleeve folds create a triangular shape at the top of each sleeve.
Grab the bottom of the sweater and fold it ⅓ of the way up the sweater. Then, fold the bottom of the sweater up over itself so the edge lines up with the top of the sweater. Simply smooth out any wrinkles and then flip the sweater over.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Simple Rectangle Fold for All Sweater Types

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Lay the sweater face down on a flat surface. Place the sweater on a flat surface so the front is facing down. Then, flatten the sweater so there are no creases or bunches.^{[13]
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- Use the flattest surface you have to ensure cleaner folds.
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Fold the sleeves diagonally over the back of the sweater. Take the right sleeve and cross it over the back of your sweater so the cuff lays against the bottom left side. Then, grab the left sleeve and cross it over to the bottom right side of the sweater. Smooth out any wrinkles that appear.^{[14]
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- Don't extend the cuffs beyond the edge of the sweater.
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Bring the hem up to the top of the sweater. Grab the bottom of the sweater and fold it in half horizontally, bringing it up so it’s level with the collar. Then, use your hands to smooth any creases. Just flip the sweater over and smooth out the front, too.^{[15]
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- If your sweater is very long, fold it into thirds. Bring the bottom about ⅓ of the way up the sweater. Then, fold it over itself to bring it level with the collar.
- If the fold looks wrinkly or bunched up, simply start again from the beginning.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Roll Fold for Bulky Sweaters

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Lay your sweater face down on a flat surface. Place your sweater on a hard, flat surface with the back facing you. Then, use your hands to work out any wrinkles, creases, or bunches.^{[16]
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- The roll fold is great for stacking knit sweaters and other bulky garments in your dresser, as well as saving space when you travel.
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Fold the left side ⅓ of the way over the sweater. Imagine the back of the sweater is split into thirds using 3 vertical lines. Then, take the left side of the sweater and bring it to the imaginary ⅓ line.^{[17]
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- Smooth out any wrinkles that appear.
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Fold the left sleeve down over the left side. Pull the left sleeve over to the right side to straighten it out. Then, bring the cuff down to the bottom of the sweater on the left side.^{[18]
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- Flatten out any creases with your hands.
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Fold the right side over the left side and fold the right sleeve down. Grab the right side of the sweater and bring it over to the left side. Then, pull the right sleeve to the left side to straighten it out. Grab the cuff and fold it down to the bottom of the sweater.^{[19]
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- Use your hands to smooth out any bunches or wrinkles.
- For a roll that’s long and thin, don’t fold the sides in. Simply cross the sleeves over the back of the sweater and roll it up.
Start at the hem of the sweater and loosely roll it up to the sweater’s collar. A super tight roll can cause the sweater to stretch out. If any bunching appears as you roll, stop rolling and smooth out the crease. ^{[20]
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Put a rubber band around the sweater if it won’t stay rolled up. Gently wrap a rubber band around the sweater, working it towards the center. Securing your sweater with a rubber band ensures that even your bulkiest of sweaters holds its rolled-up shape.
- Use a stretchy and slightly loose rubber band to help prevent it from breaking.
- As an alternative, tie the sweater with a string.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Hanging Sweaters to Prevent Creases

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Lay your sweater on a flat surface and fold it vertically in half. Place your sweater on a hard, flat surface and smooth it out to remove wrinkles. Then, take the left sleeve and bring it over to the right sleeve. Flatten out the garment and crease to make the fold as smooth as possible.^{[21]
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- Make sure the fold is directly down the center of the sweater.
- It doesn’t matter if you lay your sweater face down or face up.
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Position a hanger upside down between the sweater’s sleeve and body. Place a hanger on top of your sweater with the hanger hook facing towards you. Then, position the hanger over the sweater’s armpit.^{[22]
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- Use a flat, wooden hanger to hang up your sweaters. These are more gentle on your garments and can help reduce wrinkling.
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Fold the sleeves and bottom of the sweater over the hanger. Grab both sweater sleeves and fold them over the top of the hanger. Then, take the hem of the sweater and fold it over the top of the hanger.^{[23]
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- Make sure the sweater is tightly folded over the hanger.
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Hang up your sweater. Folding your sweater over the hanger helps prevent wrinkles and hanger marks from appearing. It also helps prevent it from stretching out or getting damaged.
- As a plus, hanging your sweater this way can also save space.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Storing Your Sweaters

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Fold and store your sweaters in a dresser, shelf, or closet organizer. Folding your sweaters is the best way to save space, keep them wrinkle-free, and prevent stretching. Depending on the space you have, either stack your sweaters on top of each other or line them up vertically side-by-side.^{[24]
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- To keep your sweaters organized neatly, use dividers to keep them separated in your drawers or shelves. Or, place them in organizer bins.
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Place sweaters in airtight containers for seasonal or long-term storage. When you’re not wearing your sweaters, fold and set them in airtight storage containers to protect them from dirt, dust, moisture, and bugs. Then, set your containers in a temperature-controlled spot in your home to prevent damage.^{[25]
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- Wash and dry your sweaters completely before storing them away.
- Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets inside the containers to keep away bugs and ensure your clothes stay smelling fresh.
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Save space by placing your sweaters in vacuum-sealed bags. If you don’t have enough room to store your sweaters in containers, use vacuum-seal bags. With these bags, you simply place your sweaters inside and close the bag. Then, attach your vacuum hose to the seal and turn it on to remove all the air inside the bag. This significantly reduces the size and bulk of your sweaters.^{[26]
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- Fold or roll your sweaters using one of the methods above before placing them in the bags to help prevent wrinkles.
- Stash the bags until you need your sweaters. For instance, slide them under your bed or place them on a shelf in your closet.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What are some common mistakes you have seen people do when trying to fold and store clothes?

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.

Caitlin Jaymes

Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

Expert Answer

I like a more traditional fold. The more simple you keep everything, the better. The big thing is keeping everything in categories, even if you don't want to color code.

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Question

What are some tips to prevent clothes from wrinkling in a suitcase?

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.

Caitlin Jaymes

Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

Expert Answer

Definitely don't keep something that's going to wrinkle toward the bottom. Always keep those near the top of the suitcase. Make sure your shoes or toiletry bag isn't crunching it. Then as soon as you get to your hotel, unpack them. When you're showering you can hang up your shirt or your dress and the steam will unwrinkle it.

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How do you fold a sweater to maximize space?

Oncemaid
Cleaning Agency
Oncemaid is a Cleaning Agency based in Huntington Beach, California. Oncemaid has been operating for over 20 years and serves over 20 different cities. Their cleaners offer various services including closet organizing, weekly cleaning, deep cleaning, and post-construction cleaning.

Oncemaid

Cleaning Agency

Expert Answer

If you want to maximize space for a suitcase, then just fold it like a shirt and roll it tightly. Also, an extra tip: we normally put that before we close the suitcase, because if you're going to a cold weather region, you can easily pull it out of the suitcase. If you put it underneath the rest of the clothes and you need it because you touched down in a cold weather place, then you'll have a hard time pulling it out.

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Tips

Button up all buttons and zip up any zippers before you fold.

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Smooth out your sweaters and make clean, crisp folds to help avoid wrinkles.

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Only use rubber bands to secure chunkier sweaters together. They can potentially damage more delicate sweaters.

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