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How to fold pants and jeans to save space
There are several ways to fold pants and jeans, and the right method often depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to store them. This guide covers a few common approaches, including a basic fold for drawers, rolling for travel, a vertical file fold for easier organization and techniques for folding dress pants with creases.
Learning how to efficiently fold and store pants is pretty simple and, once you make a habit of it, will come naturally. Folding pants with these neat and tidy techniques helps save space in your drawers and your suitcase while traveling. It can also help cut down on wrinkles and keep your pants presentable and easy to find when you need to grab clothes fast. Read on to learn how to properly fold pants and jeans to help save space.
How to fold casual pants and jeans to save space
A basic fold is a good option for keeping drawers tidy because it’s quick, familiar and you can easily fill the whole drawer with your stacks. Read on to learn how to fold pants and jeans to help save space in your drawers while keeping your pants organized and easy to find.
1. Lay flat and fold
First, lay your pants on a flat surface. To remove bulk and bumps, make sure that the pockets are not bunched: slip your hands into each pocket and push in all directions.
Once the pants are flat, fold them in half lengthwise so either the front pockets meet or the back pockets meet. Either direction is acceptable. If you find that your jeans are wrinkled, stiff or hard to fold, learn more about how to wash jeans for next time.
2. Tuck the crotch (optional)
With the pants folded like this, you’ll notice the crotch sticks out to the side a little. You can either leave it as is or fold it under the legs. This adds a bit of bulk to the fold but makes the pants more uniform for stacking. It can also help prevent wrinkles in the crotch area.
3. Fold the pants
Next, fold your pants either in thirds or in quarters, depending on the size of your drawers:
To fold them in quarters, fold the pants in half, bringing the hem at the bottom up to meet the waistband. Fold in half once more to complete the fold.
To fold them in thirds, fold the hem about ⅔ of the way up the pant leg. Fold the waistband down over the top.
4. Alternate direction during stacking
When stacking your folded pants, alternate the direction so the pile doesn’t get lopsided. For example, the waistband side should go away from you for one pair of pants, then toward you for the next, and so on. The waistband side is slightly thicker and will cause a high stack to be unstable if the items are all facing the same direction.
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How to fold casual pants and jeans for travel
When you travel, you need your pants to take up minimal space and arrive with as few wrinkles as possible. When you know how to fold pants and jeans correctly for traveling, you can accomplish both these feats at once. Rolling them up takes up less space in your suitcase, helps minimize wrinkles and ensures they stay neat and tidy.
1. Lay flat and fold
First, you’ll need to lay your pants on a flat surface. To remove bulk and bumps, make sure that the pockets are not bunched by slipping your hands into each pocket and pushing in all directions.
2. Create a cuff
Fold the waistband inside out about three inches to form a cuff that will secure the roll later. Once the pants are flat, fold them in half lengthwise so either the front pockets meet or the back pockets meet.
3. Roll and tuck
Starting at the bottom hems, roll the pants upward toward the waistband as tightly as possible. Smooth the fabric as you roll to remove any wrinkles or air pockets. Once you reach the waistband, pull the cuff you created earlier down over the rolled pants. This helps lock the roll in place and keeps it from unraveling.
Care tip: Have your kids help
Folding clothes such as pants is an easy chore for kids that teaches them how to handle a simple part of the laundry process. You can make a fun game out of sorting clothes by color, then stacking the folded pants in a nice, neat pile. Get more ideas about how to involve your kids in laundry chores.
How to fold pants vertically
This popular vertical folding method involves folding pants into compact shapes that can stand upright in a drawer, rather than stacking them in piles. Storing pants vertically makes it easy to see each pair at a glance and can help keep drawers more organized.
1: Lay pants flat and fold in half lengthwise
Lay the pants flat on a clean surface such as a table or bed. Fold one side toward the center, then fold the other side over it to create a long, straight shape.
2: Fold in thirds lengthwise
Take the bottom of the pants and fold it upward about one-third of the way. Fold again lengthwise to create a compact, rectangle shape.
3: Store as a standing rectangle
Place the folded pants vertically in a drawer so the folded edge is visible and easy to access.
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How to fold pants with creases
A unique method for folding dress pants helps keep creases in their proper place without creating new ones. If you prefer to hang your dress pants, you can still use these steps to help you create the proper vertical folds.
1: Lay flat and pinch
Lay your pants face-up on a flat surface. Use your thumb and pointer finger on each hand to pinch the waistband in the two spots directly above the pant leg creases.
2: Fold vertically like an accordian
Bring the pinched spots in the waistband together, pushing the zipper inward. Create a triangle fold in the back of the pants, mirroring the fold in the front. This should result in an accordion-like fold. Hold the pants aloft and shake out any bunches. Lay them down on a flat surface, making sure all hems and seams line up.
3: Fold in half twice horizontally
Smooth out the pants with your hands and make sure all the folds and seams line up. Fold them in half horizontally, then in half again.
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Folding pants & jeans FAQs
Have questions about how to store pants and jeans? These answers cover common folding, rolling and storage methods to help you keep your clothing organized and looking its best.
Should you hang jeans and pants to save space?
Hanging pants and jeans can help prevent wrinkles, especially for dress pants. Folding is often ideal for casual pants and jeans, helping save drawer space and keep items organized. Choose the method that fits your storage space and fabric type.
Should you fold or roll jeans?
Folding jeans helps keep them neat and easy to store in drawers, while rolling can save space in suitcases or small storage areas. Both methods work well, so the best choice depends on how you plan to store or pack your jeans.
Does rolling jeans cause wrinkles?
Rolling jeans generally does not usually cause wrinkles and can help reduce creases when packed properly. Smooth the fabric and roll loosely to avoid folds. Tightly packing or rolling already wrinkled jeans can create creases.
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