My husband thinks I’m anal.
(I think that’s pretty lame.)
Just because I fold my towels so they will all stack up the same?
Some people have clean houses –
with no dust to be found.
As long as the towels stack up straight, dust bunnies can keep hoppin’ around.
Okay, talking about lameness, this post? Pretty lame. But seriously folks is it too much to ask that the towels be folded all the same way? My husband, and now my kids, do a lot of folding, so I really don’t care how they’re folded so much anymore (and believe me, there are many ways people recommend to fold towels), just as long as they’re folded and folded alike.
I know it’s silly. But I want them to match.
I want them to stack neatly in the cabinet – be straight and uniform. I suppose I should be happy that they’re folded and put away at all, straight or not. I’ll work on that, but in the meantime let me show you what I mean.
See…the same.
Different.
Can you tell?
Sure you can. The results above are from two folding approaches. Here’s number one…
And here’s the second folding technique…
Tadah!
Did you see the difference? I know you did. Now, is it anal that one would start a job or task in one fashion and continue in that same fashion throughout the task?
No. I think not.
On the contrary, I think that it’s just plain haphazardness on the part of a towel folder to start folding towels one way and switch to another technique. Why would you do that? Why? The horrors!
So, please, for me, fold your towels all the same way – whatever way you choose, just so it’s the same for each and every single towel. They deserve at least that much.
Now I’m curious, how do you fold your towels?
Hey Hope! Come here and show me how you fold your towels. I’m taking a poll.
You’re doing a grand job sugah pie…
Lookin’ good!
Nice.
Hey Hope, sweet child of mine, you wanna fold the rest of the pile?
Hope?
Hello?
Bueller?
Shoot. I thought I snagged her for a while. She’s slick and fast.
And gone.
So, again, how do you fold your towels?
Are they neatly stacked all in the same direction? Do you fold in half and half and half? Or thirds? Or are you a ruler measuring towel foldererer?
I fold it in half longways instead of in thirds like your first pic, then in half again, and again. I think??? But I do them all the same too.
OMG! Only a few weeks ago at dinner one night with friends did we discuss the “correct” way to fold towels. We determined that it didn’t really matter which way you fold ‘em (ok, I didn’t agree to that, but relented) as long as you are consistent. Two of my friends insisted I should write a blog post about it. Thank goodness you did. Great job!
Susan
I am anal too. Ha ha I fold mine like you do,so they look nice and neat. My mom could not care less. She just haphazardly folds them and throws them on the shelf in her bathroom. The last time I was there, it was all I could do not to grab them all and refold them. It just worked my nerves looking at them.
I agree 100%!!! It matters.
Oh, I *so* feel where you’re coming from with this! I’m a fold-in-half-lengthwise, folding-in-half-lengthwise again, and then fold-in-thirds kind of gal. Looks great in my linen cabinet and, I think, is essential to the space-time continuum.
Amy, I fold towels just like you do…quess you and I inherited that from Nana…that was always the way she folded towels too. Now, if you can come up with a simple way to fold fitted sheets so that they are neat and flat, that will be quite an accomplishment. Whenever I fold sheets I fold the flat sheet first, to the size where I can place the matching folded fitted sheet and two pillow cases on one end of the folded flat sheet and then I just fold the other end over the pillow cases and the fitted sheet…makes a neat package, similar to how a set of sheets is folded when you buy them…then you will have everything in one neat little bundle when you are ready to change linens for a bed…if you want to get really “Martha Stewartish”…wrap a ribbon around the bundle and tie it in a flat bow…looks pretty in your linen closet, but who has time for all that?!!! A real shortcut is to strip the bed, throw the linens in the washer and dryer and put them right back on the bed, then you don’t have to worry about folding them at all!! Much Love, Aunt Carole
I fold mine all the same way too. A friend of mine’s husband was frustrated one time because she folds hers in half and then half and then in thirds but to hang them on the rack you have to unfold it and refold it. He said you shouldn’t have to fold twice. They look so pretty when folded all the same!
I ALWAYS fold all my towels the same way so they stack perfectly. The few times my husband tries t help with laundry and puts the towels away I have to wait until he isn’t looking and go back and fold them properly!
all towels must be folded the same and stacked neatly ’round here. After doing bed linens years ago my Husbands Grandmother asked “who folded those sheets so properly?” It was one of the best compliments I have ever recieved…pathetic? maybe. but it sure felt good.
Well, if folding all the towels the same way means you’re anal, then I’m right up there with the best of them. I go for the half, then half and half again approach whereas my mom uses the thirds, thirds method. And it’s not just towels, the bath cloths have to be all folded the same way as well. Then there are the sheets and blankets. BTW, the best way to fold a fitted sheet? Get someone to help you and fold it in half placing one corner pocket inside the other. Then fold in half again putting the remaining two corner pockets inside the first. At this point you have all four corner pockets neatly tucked inside each other. Then lay it down, and fold it neatly into a square. Hmmm…maybe it’s easier if you actually see that demonstrated.
Those that sit in view are folded identically. Those that sit in the cupboard get folded so they fit the rather small shelf.
Once…long ago when I was a working mother of a small child…I kept a small garbage pail in the bathroom. It had a step lever that allowed one to open the lid with a step of the toe. I simply tossed the clean wash cloths inside unfolded. For several years I never folded a wash cloth. I loved that freedom. lol
I’m the only one who folds laundry around here so what I say goes. Heh. Heh.
Mine are thirds and thirds but they fit into the basket that way. I must have my washclothes folded and stacked the same way. I also have a hard time looking at my in-laws towels and washcloths. such a mess.
Absolutely! All the towels need to be folded the same, and without any edges showing, then stacked facing the same direction on the shelves. (Although, admittedly, our sheets have often fallen victim to the willy-nilly folding pattern. It’s those darn stubborn fitted sheets that cause all the problems!!)
Pretty sure there’s a song about this too. . . “You gotta know when [how] to fold ‘em….”
I used to be particular about how the towels were folded, but by the time the fourth babe came, I didn’t care, as long as they were folded and put away. If someone else would do it, I was thrilled. And, even though they’re older now, their clothes are bigger and I have SO much laundry. When I enlist one of the kids to help, I show them how to fold once and then let them go at it. If they aren’t perfect, whatever, I’m just glad they’re folded. LOL
I fold in half, half again and half again. Really simple and easy to duplicate.
Um, well, I used to be pretty anal about the folding. Now I seem to be too busy to care!
Love the pix of your dtr. FUN!
Check out my Curling post today. Kinda funny … You have wood floors, right?
Happy Monday Amy!
oh, you & I are so much alike! The house may be in shambles, dishes piled up and dust on every surface, but the clothes & towels will be folded perfectly – ha. love it … it’s a running joke at our house – but I have taught my kids and they (even the youngest at 5) know how to fold the towels “Mom’s way.” Glad to pass down the important stuff to them. hee hee
I’m with you sister! Fold and fold alike. : )
I grew up with an anal towel folder, my mother. This isn’t the only thing she’s anal about, but because of her I am the same way now! We always fold towels the same way and they have to be stacked the same way. Even the washclothes. I make sure the grain of the washclothes are the same when they’re folded…my mom takes it a step further and makes sure the tags on all the washclothes are facing the same direction. Our towels (in both mine and my mom’s houses) are folded in half length, then a second fold in that same direction, then in half the opposite direction. And all stacked in the same way. It’s sad…but, true! You’re not alone!
My name is Martha and I’m an anal towel folder. I fold mine in half lengthwise, then again in half lengthwise and then in thirds and they must all be stacked with the “open” ends of the folds toward the back of the closet. Now if I were just as anal about the dust bunnies, I’d be in good shape. ~Martha
I concur with the towel folding. They all must be done the same way. I started laughing when I saw this post becasue this is one of the only things I request in the house. ( second being the toilet paper must be over, not under. )
I fold ‘em in thirds. Usually. Sometimes I do half and half and half. Don’t ever look in my linen closet, is what I’m saying.
Like you…triple fold..and they all have to match..is there any other way. Excuse me now..I have to feed the dust bunnies
I am TOTALLY the same way… Towels must be folded in the same fashion. Dust bunnies may run rampant. My husband does what I like to call the ‘bundle and wedge’ system when it comes to folding. It’s not good. But he tries.
I don’t know what drives us to be this way… I guess somewhere deep inside Martha Stuart has affected us all.
I like to fold mine in half and then again….
PS I love your table and chairs. Can you share where whey came from???
Hey Eleanor!
My husband made the table from some heart pine wood that a family friend that owns a sawmill had. The chairs were a deal we picked up (he actually found them too) at a furniture outlet for $27 a piece. Thanks for asking – he’ll be happy to know someone admires it.
~ Amy
When my kids were young and I was a SAHM, I folded towels and wash clothes to stack neatly inside the cabinet. Now that I work full-time, and my kids do most of the laundry, towels are tossed unfolded into the cabinet. Wash cloths are tossed into a basket. Nanny, don’t look inside my cabinets!
Anal as the rest. My towels must be folded the same way since they are stacked on open shelving in both bathrooms or they look way too messy. Because of that, I have even been known to refold towels that have been folded the wrong way.
Yes all people need to fold their towels the same way. I am the only folder. I fold in half, then in thirds, because that’s the only way they will fit in my cabinet. Back when I use to had less towels, I rolled them and they were stored on a open shelf. Very cute. I remember coming to your blog when you first started, and I really like what you have done with it. I’ll make sure I stop by more often.
I feel ya sister! Neat towels please
You just saved me a trip to the shrink. I am NOT crazy. I am YOU!!!
I fold them like your first option. It’s the best way in my opinion. Because you can unfold it partially and hang it on the towel bar. The side flaps will still be folded into the middle and so it looks neat. You can’t do that with the second option.
Another option is to fold in half, then in half, then in half – HORRIBLE! This is how my hubby USED to fold his towels. Now, he just doesn’t fold. Ha ha! BUT my kids fold MY way. If they do it wrong, they re-fold. Sorry, that’s life in this house.
How about toilet paper? Over or Under? OVER, of course!
There’s just a right way and a wrong way.
Anal? I think not. Anal would be organizing
your towels by color or something. I’m a version #1 folder.
My mother-in-law taught me stating that she
thought it was how Martha Stewart did it. I’m not
sure if that’s right but all I know is that
my towels being orderly is often the ONLY
order that exists behind that door!
Anal is knowing how to properly fold a fitted
sheet. (I’ve been shown how to do that once, too
but was so stunned that some bright, mathematically
gifted woman discovered a way to do it that the method
quickly left my brain!).
Oh I have to fold them half, half, and then half. it is how my momma folds her towels and how my granny folds hers. I get ticked if they aren’t folded the exact same way. I’m even funny as in I pay attention to the seams on the towels and the inside of the towels have to be folded inside and not on the outer side. I’m so particular!
OK Girls and Guys, too, I am surprised that so many of you seemed to be so concerned over how your towels are folded.
Amy, I have to admit the towels you found in your stack that were folded the second way were probably from when I was there while you were in Napa Valley, Ca.
The towels I hang on the towel bars are folded the first way but are usually not used and are for show or use by company. Everyday towels are folded the second way. Why? I don’t know. My Mother always folded the first way but I found it easier to fold in half first then thirds then in half again. I think it was because it fit on my lap while I was folding. Also at home growing up we always had a lot of beach towels to fold and to fold them the first way you’d have to stand up like Hope did in your photos. Call me lazy or rebellous but I am what I am. I also stopped using a linen closet as a linen closet years ago ’cause they always seemed to never stay straight. I store linens in the bedroom closets they belong in and towels in the respective bathroom vanities. As for blankets each bedroom closet has it’s extras and for keepsake quilts I have a blanket rake so they can be seen. What would have been the linen closet has usually became a craft, game or toy closet.
As for table linens they hang on hangers in my coat closet. Which is closer to the kitchen and dining room than what the linen closet would be. And when was the last time someone hung a coat in the coat closet.
Now, if you want to know what I am anal about it’s how I wash clothes. Bed linens are washed separately from anything else as are dish towels. Bath linens are washed separately as well. I don’t want what has been on my behind (ie. washclothes and towels) to be washed with what is going to be on my dishes and silverware(ie. dishrags). I think this comes from going to someone house for dinner and finding a hair on my dinner napkin as I began to eat. It was as if I’d found it in my food. But I was quiet about it, but just didn’t eat much. And for me that was really hard, both the being quiet part and the eating just a little.
We all have our different ways of thinking and doing and isn’t it wonderful that we can all still be in the same family (God’s).
Love to all you sisters and brothers, Amy’s Mom
Hey Mom!
Once the towels are in the cabinet I don’t notice how they’re folded. That you did my laundry while I was out of town was a blessing that I appreciated – no matter how they were folded.
~ Amy
Hi, They just gotta match. Is that too much to ask? Hey, from your pics it looks like you keep a pretty neat place. Do you allow messies who wanna be cleanies to comment on your blog? Just askin’?
Hey Sam!
What you don’t see in the picts are my closets, drawers, cabinets, truck, garage… ;-]
~ Amy
Ohhh…. so glad to see I’m not the only one that feels this way!
Got to have them all the same… Yes!
Right now…I’m into half and half and half.
I fold ours in half cause we don’t really have those wonderfully thick & LARGE bath sheets like some do…I do like to line them up all the same way on my shelves…BUT, in my old age, if someone else folds them for me, I say THANK YOU (very sincerely) & leave them just “as is”.
I gave up folding a couple of years ago and started rolling our towels. They actually fit in the small cupboard (read we can close the door all the way) where they are stored and no longer do the stacks fall over and make me crazy. Now if I could just get the rest of the family to roll them so they are all the same depth……