How to Fold Towels 5 Different Ways

If you've admired the perfectly folded towels in hotels and spas, you may have wondered how to achieve that look yourself. Achieving that crisp, polished look can make a big difference in the overall organization and appearance of your bathroom or linen closet. Learning the art of towel folding isn't just great for that spa aesthetic; neat towels are easier to keep organized and help to free up space. We spoke with experts to discover the best techniques for folding towels like a pro.

Before You Begin

To start, it's essential to fold towels on a large, flat, and clean work surface, which allows you to smooth them down in between each step. It's also important to remember that towel folding isn't a one-size-fits-all approach—the fold you choose depends on the type and size of the towel you're working with.

"Bath towels and guest or hand towels should be folded vertically in thirds and horizontally in half to hang on a towel bar. This way you don't see the edge of the towel and only the pattern, color, and texture," says Lynne Wolverton, owner of Linens on the Hill in Boston. "Wash cloths may be folded the same way or stored in the linen closet until needed. They don't need to be on the towel bar with the towels."

There are many ways to fold towels, but is there a right way? "When it comes to creating your own bedroom oasis, so many people go after the coveted five-star hotel look. Like choosing a fabric for your sheets, there really is no right or wrong way when it comes to folding towels," says Ariel Kaye, founder of Parachute.

Bath Towels

This technique creates one clean folded edge that, when stacked, faces out, says Jamie Gibberman, a professional organizer and the co-owner of Get Organized RVA.

1. Spread the bath towel out on a flat surface.
2. Fold the towel in half widthwise.
3. Fold the towel in half again lengthwise so both short ends are touching.
4. Fold the towel into thirds.

Spa Towels

"If you want to create that luxurious spa vibe in your space, towel rolling is the perfect technique," says Ariel Kaye, founder of Parachute. Follow this simple technique.

1. Spread the bath towel out on a flat surface.
2. Fold one corner down to create a triangle (the rest of the towel should remain unfolded and look like a rectangle attached to the triangle).
3. Fold the towel in half lengthwise.
4. Flip the towel completely over and start to roll from the rectangle end toward the triangle end.
5. Keep rolling tightly, making sure to line up the edges, until all you have left is the small point of the triangle.
6. Tuck the small point inside the edge of the roll.

Beach Towels

Beach towels are sometimes longer than the standard bath iteration, so you'll want to take a slightly different approach. This method will result in a more compact, manageable result, says Gibberman.

1. Spread the towel out on a flat surface.
2. Fold the towel in half lengthwise.
3. Fold the towel in half again widthwise, so both short ends are touching.
4. Fold the towel into thirds.

Dish Towels

Since dish towels are typically kept in a drawer in the kitchen, file-folding them is ideal, says Gibberman.

1. Spread the dish towel out on a flat surface.
2. Fold the towel in half lengthwise.
3. Fold the towel in half lengthwise again to create a smaller rectangle
4. Fold the towel into thirds.
5. Place the towel into your drawer like a file in a cabinet, with the folded edge facing up.

Note: If your drawer is too shallow to fold the towel into thirds after step three, Gibberman says to fold both ends of the towel in toward the center and fold the towel in half.

Hand Towels

"When it comes to hand towels, any of the above methods work—it really just depends on the space you're working with and the overall look you are trying to achieve," says Kaye. Here's Kaye's simple and practical method for folding a classic hand towel.

1. Lay the towel horizontally, folding the lower end partially across.
2. Fold the upper part of the towel, and smooth everything out.
3. Fold the towel in half and make sure to line up the edges.
   

Maximizing Space

If drawer space is an issue, Kaye says vertical towel folding is a game-changer. She suggests folding your towel in half horizontally and then again vertically. Fold it one more time—this time in thirds—and place it in the drawer with the folded edge facing out. Want even more space-saving magic? "Fold your towel lengthwise, then fold one-third of it vertically. Smooth it out and fold it again, this time horizontally. And of course, always display with the folded edge out for that neat, organized look," says Kaye.