How to Roll Clothes

Co-authored by Julie Naylon

Last Updated: January 18, 2023 Approved

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If you are looking to conserve space in a suitcase or drawer, consider rolling your items instead of folding them. When you are rolling clothing, it is imperative that you smooth out wrinkles as you fold and roll the item. Avoid rolling clothing made of delicate and/or stiff material—rolling these items may damage and wrinkle the material.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Rolling Tops

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1
Lay the shirt face-down on a flat surface. Carefully smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Smoothing out wrinkles is an essential step. Rolling creases into a shirt will cause the wrinkles to set.
- You should only roll medium-weight shirts. Delicate and stiff materials will wrinkle.
- If you do roll shirts made from delicate and stiff materials, you will have to iron or dry clean these shirts before wearing them.^{[1]
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2
Fold the sleeves towards the center. Take the left sleeve and fold it in towards the shirt’s center. Take the right sleeve and place it on top of the left sleeve. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.
- If you are rolling a long sleeve shirt, fold the sleeves diagonally across the back of the shirt so that they form an “X.” Smooth out any wrinkles.
- If you are folding a collared shirt, unfold the collar. Smooth out any wrinkles.^{[2]
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3
Roll the shirt. Grab the bottom hem and fold it up approximately one inch. Smooth out any wrinkles. Roll the shirt from the hem to the collar as tightly as desired. As you roll, continue to smooth out wrinkles.
- You can store your rolled shirts in a drawer.
- If you are packing for a trip, place your rolled shirts in a 1 gallon plastic bag. This will prevent the shirts from unrolling.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Rolling Pants

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1
Place the pants on a flat surface. Set down the pants so that the waist is closest to you. With your hands, carefully smooth out the wrinkles.
- Neglecting to smooth out wrinkles will cause the creases to set.^{[4]
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2
Fold the pants in half. When you fold the pants, the back pockets should be facing out. Use your hands to smooth out the material.
- Avoid rolling pants made from materials that are prone to wrinkle, like linen.^{[5]
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3
Roll the pants. Starting at the waist, tightly roll the pants towards the hem of each pant leg. While you roll, smooth out any wrinkles that appear.
- To keep your roll straight and even, roll the pants with two hands.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Rolling Skirts

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1
Set the skirt on a flat surface. Position the skirt so that the top is facing up and the waist is closest to you. Smooth out the material to remove any wrinkles and creases.
- If you roll creased material, the wrinkles will set in the fabric.^{[7]
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2
Fold the skirt in thirds. Fold the left side of the skirt over the item’s center. Place the right side of the skirt on top of the left side.
- Between each fold, smooth out the material.^{[8]
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3
Roll the skirt. Use two hands to roll the skirt from the waist to the hem. While you roll, smooth out any wrinkles that appear.
- Roll away from your body, not towards your body.^{[9]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Rolling Items that Tend to Wrinkle

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1
Place the item in a plastic garment bag. Put the wrinkle-prone item on a hanger. Slip a plastic garment bag over the item.
- The garment bag will help prevent the item from wrinkling.^{[10]
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Lay the garment bag on a flat surface. Place the item so that the hanger is furthest away from you. Take time to smooth out wrinkles in the item and garment bag with your hands.
- Smoothing out the creases and folds will protect your garment from set-in wrinkles.^{[11]
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3
Fold and roll the garment bag. Fold the left and right sides of the garment bag in towards the center. Fold up the excess plastic at the bottom of the bag. Starting at the hem, loosely roll the item up towards the hanger.
- As you fold and roll the item, smooth out any wrinkles or creases that appear.^{[12]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Does rolling clothes save space?

Julie Naylon
Professional Organizer
Julie Naylon is the Founder of No Wire Hangers, a professional organizing service based out of Los Angeles, California. No Wire Hangers provides residential and office organizing and consulting services. Julie's work has been featured in Daily Candy, Marie Claire, and Architectural Digest, and she has appeared on The Conan O’Brien Show. In 2009 at The Los Angeles Organizing Awards she was honored with “The Most Eco-Friendly Organizer”.

Julie Naylon

Professional Organizer

Expert Answer

Yes! Plus, if you're packing boots or another item that's going to leave open space, you can put rolled socks or other items inside of that space to fill it.

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Question

How do I roll shirts with collars?

Community Answer

You can unfold the collar and just treat it as part of the shirt, or you can put a sock or something inside the collar to keep it folded correctly while you roll it.

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Can I use these methods to roll shirts that aren't t-shirts?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Just follow the same steps to folding a t-shirt. If your shirt has longer sleeves, fold them in so that they don't poke out the side.

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Tips

After you roll your clothes, place them in the suitcase with the opening in the roll against the bottom or pack the rolls tightly together to prevent them from unrolling.

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Warnings

Only roll clothes made of medium-weight, soft material. Fold formal clothing made of stiffer fabrics or lightweight clothing made of delicate material.

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