How to Fold Bath Towels

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 16, 2022

There are many ways to fold a bath towel. Different folds can be used for different storage settings. Learning the tri-fold, deep fold, and narrow shelf methods will ensure that you find the best fold for any storage situation.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Tri-Fold Method

1
Hold the towel by the corners. Make sure the length of the towel is hanging down the length of your body. This step is best done while standing.^{[1]
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2
Fold over one corner. Take one corner of the towel over about two-thirds of the way across the short side of the towel. Create a crease down the length of the towel.^{[2]
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3
Fold over the other corner. Take the other corner to create a layer over the first third. This will create another crease down the length of the towel. Your towel should now be long and skinny down the length of your body.^{[3]
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4
Fold the towel in half. Tuck the towel under your chin and pinch the towel halfway down the length. Let go of the towel with your chin and allow it to fold over at the halfway point.^{[4]
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5
Fold the towel in half again. Tuck the towel under your chin again and pinch the towel halfway down the length. Let the towel go from the grip of your chin and allow the towel to fold once again at the halfway point.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Deep Fold

1
Lay the towel out. Stretch the towel out on a solid surface, such as a table. Stand facing the long edge of the towel.^{[6]
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2
Fold the length of the towel. Grasp both corners of the long end towel and fold it over to the halfway mark on the short edge of the towel. This will create a crease down the length of the towel.^{[7]
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3
Continue folding the length of the towel. Grasp the opposite corners of the towel and fold them to the halfway mark as well. The corners of the towel should now meet in the middle of the top and bottom of the towel. This will create parallel creases down the length of the towel.^{[8]
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4
Fold the towel in half. The previous two steps have created two long creases down the length of the towel. Fold the towel in half by folding the length of the towel on top of itself, creating four layers. The towel should now be long and skinny.^{[9]
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5
Fold the ends towards the center. Leave a little bit of a gap in the center to avoid bulging in the center.^{[10]
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6
Bring the two halves together again. Place one hand in the center of the towel and use the other hand to fold the towel in half. Rotate the towel so that the folded edge is on display.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Folding Towels for a Narrow Shelf

1
Fold the towel along its length. Grasp the corners of the short end of the towel and fold them together. This will create one crease down the length of the towel. The corners at the top and bottom of the towel will meet. This can be done while standing or lying the towel down on a flat surface.^{[12]
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2
Fold the towel the opposite direction. Next, fold the towel in the opposite direction. To do this while standing, tuck the towel under your chin and pinch the towel halfway down the length of the towel. Then, let go of the towel with your chin and allow the towel to fall, creating a fold at the halfway point.^{[13]
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3
Create thirds with the remainder of the towel. Bring the hemmed edge to the two-thirds mark and create a crease.^{[14]
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4
Fold the last third of the towel. Layer the folded edge over the hemmed edge to create thirds. Display your towel with the folded edge facing outward.^{[15]
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