5 Easy Ways to Fold Jeans and Pants

Pants can take up a lot of room in your dresser and closet, but knowing how to properly fold them can conserve space and make it easier to find the pair you're looking for. Additionally, folding your pants correctly will keep them from wrinkling, so they're ready to wear no matter how long they've been folded up in a drawer. We're sharing five easy folding techniques for jeans and pants that will keep your clothing storage organized and your garments wrinkle-free.

How to File Fold Jeans

File folding jeans keeps them in an upright position, so you can easily see all of your pairs and grab what you need without pulling everything out, says professional organizer Melissa Keyser.

1. Spread the jeans out on a clear, flat surface.
2. Tuck in any pockets and smooth the jeans so there are no bumps or creases.
3. Fold the jeans in half widthwise, so it looks like there's just one leg.
4. Fold the jeans in half again lengthwise and tuck in the point of the crotch to create a straight line down the seam of the jeans.
5. Take where the jeans are folded in half and fold up lengthwise a third of the way.
6. Fold lengthwise again, bringing the waistband down over the previous fold. 
   

How to Fold Jeans for Packing

Knowing how to fold jeans for packing will help conserve space in your suitcase. "When placing folded pants in a bag, lay them in alternating directions so that the thicker waistband sides are not stacked," says Anna Bauer, organizing expert and owner of Sorted & Co.

1. Spread the jeans out on a clear, flat surface.
2. Tuck in any pockets and smooth the jeans so there's no bumps or creases.
3. Fold the jeans in half widthwise, so it looks like there's just one leg.
4. Fold the jeans in half lengthwise, bringing the ankles towards the waistband.
5. Fold the jeans lengthwise into thirds.

How to Jelly Roll Jeans

Rolling your jeans is one of the best ways to keep them from getting wrinkled. Just be sure to roll them tightly so they don't take up too much inventory in your dresser.

1. Spread the jeans out on a clear, flat surface.
2. Tuck in any pockets and smooth the jeans so there's no bumps or creases.
3. Fold the jeans in half widthwise, so it looks like there's just one leg.
4. Starting from the hemmed end of the pants, tightly roll the jeans up to the waistband.

How to Fold Jeans for Hanging

Even when file folding, jeans can take up a lot of space in your dresser. Instead, consider storing them in your closet by folding them over a hanger using this method from Bauer.

1. Spread the jeans out on a clear, flat surface.
2. Tuck in any pockets and smooth the jeans so there's no bumps or creases.
3. Fold the jeans in half widthwise, so it looks like there's just one leg.
4. Fold the jeans in half lengthwise over the hanger so that both the hemmed end and waistband of the jeans meet together on either side of the hanger.
5. Align the hemmed end and waistband of the jeans so they're even.
6. Hang the jeans with the crotch pointing toward the back of the closet. 

How to Fold Pants with Creases

Pants with creases are best hung using the same method you used to hang your jeans. But if you don't have room in your closet for more pants, try Keyser's folding method instead.

1. Spread the pants out on a clear, flat surface.
2. Tuck in any pockets and smooth the pants out.
3. Fold the pants in half widthwise, being sure to line up the seams and the creases.
4. Fold the pants lengthwise into thirds.