If like many moms and dads, you dread laundry day, you will want to read this article on how to fold baby clothes. Having a baby means endless quashing cycles and, arguably, the most tedious part of doing the laundry is folding clothes and putting them away.
Some people have a specific folding system but many of us struggle to find quick ways to make your baby’s closet look tidy. From traditional folding methods to messy piles pushed into draws, every person you speak to will have a different method of folding baby clothes.
We take a look at different folding methods including the popular KonMari folding method. You will be surprised at how much you will enjoy folding laundry once you get started!
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Traditional Folding Techniques
If a quick fold is not doing it for you and you are not keen on exploring modern folding techniques the learning to perfect the traditional way of folding baby clothes could be for you.
Using traditional methods of folding baby clothes is very similar to folding your clothes and you can see everything you have in your closet, unlike some other methods.
The traditional method consists of folding clothes so that they are stacked up on top of one another in draws or the shelves in your closet.
While this method is easy to do and you can see all of the items that you have piled up on top of one another, it can be difficult to get an item that you want from the middle of the pile. If you are patient and lift the items above the one that you want carefully and place them back again when you have the one you want then this should be ok.
The traditional method is great if you need to put clothes on high shelves, which may be an issue with modern methods like the KonMari which relies on clothes standing up straight.
Steps
- Lay all of the garments on the floor with the garments that will go on first nearest the draws/closet. Leave the doors/draws open for easy access
- Fold each garment into thirds to form a rectangular shape and begin placing each item on top of one another (make sure the folded edge is at the bottom
- Now place each item of clothing along the bottom of the drawer, for example, pajamas, then pants, then tees.
- Once all items have been piled accordingly ensure that when putting future batches of laundry away that the items go on the correct pile
The KonMari Folding Method
The KonMari method was designed by Marie Kondo and, while you may have watched her Netflix series you may not have mastered the art of folding baby clothes in this specific way.
If you would like to be organized and “speak joy” then you should follow the below steps to master Marie Kondo’s art:
- Be committed as once you start tidying up to need to see the process through
- Visualize how you would like to see your baby’s room and closet/drawers
- Discard any unused or unwanted items
- Be ruthless and do not keep everything (you will want to keep some sentimental items but not too many)
- Once you know that your baby has grown out of something you should not place it back in the closet
- Always follow the correct order
- Consider if each item that you are folding “sparks joy”
The KonMari method uses a technique that files clothes in a standing-up position which makes them easy to access and there is less mess when you want to pick an outfit out.
Steps
We take look at the steps required for folding the most common baby clothes
Onesies
Lay the onesie on its front and fold in the sleeves making sure you create straight lines on either side of the onesie. Fold the onesie in half, bringing the bottom half up to the top half and leaving a small gap, then fold again to form a square.
Pants
Fold one leg of the pants on top of the other and tuck in to make sure that they are straight on both sides then fold the bottom half up to the waist
Dresses
Dresses are best hung in a closet if you have one and if not then try to lay as flat and fold as you could a onesie but tucking in any excess fabric.
Tops and vest
Lay the garment on its front, then fold the sleeves into the back of the shirt. The bottom of the shirt is brought to the middle of the back then the bottom section is Brough to the top of the vest.
KonMari Folding in 5 Easy Steps
There is a specific way that each type of garment is folded but there are 5 general rules that will guide you in whatever you are folding.
- Ensure you have a flat surface nearby that is clean and enables you to fold more easily
- Flatten each garment as you fold so that there are no wrinkles and that the item is neat and not bulky
- The garment should be able to stand up on its own (folding it into thirds achieves this). You should check that the garment can stand up without being squished in the draw that you are using
- Leave space at the top (2 inches) so that you can take out the item that you want easily. The extra space will also ensure that the item can stand up on its own
- As the key to this style is being organized, it is advised that you get draw dividers or boxes for socks, underwear, belts, and other garments.
Other Tips for Folding Baby Clothes
If you have seen how the KonMarie method works but you just cannot master the technique (it can be great for a few weeks and then some people slip into old habits) or it does not “speak joy” then take a look at these other tips on folding common baby clothes.
Onesie roll-up
For onesies and shirts the roll-up method in which you fold in the sleeves and then roll into a cylinder is quick and easy and can be stored in a similar way to the KonMari method but can be laid down instead of trying to get the garment to stand up.
Bib roll-up
A little tricker than onesies, bibs cab have the neck strap folded down and then the bib can be rolled as you would other items. They can be stacked on top of one another and the top bib taken as and when needed.
Pant roll-up
For pants, simply fold the pants in half lengthways and tuck in the crotch before rolling up in the same style as the onesie
Over-door storage
You can use over-the-door storage for items such as hats, dressing gowns, mittens, or cardigans that you use regularly
Hanger Bags or larger items
If you have bulk coats and onesies that will not roll up easily then you can place them into a hanger bag to help compress the material so that you can store more items in the closet
Use Dividers
If you have a large closet and want to separate clothes by season, style, color, etc then you can buy cheap hanging dividers that will help you organize your baby’s clothes
Flat Laying
If you cannot take to the rolling method then you can lay flat using for smaller items such as socks and underwear
Store in Zip-Lock Bags
If you simply do not have enough room for all of your baby’s clothes then you may need to store them in zip-lock bags. While you will not want to store items that are likely to be outgrown you will want to put larger baby clothes away until your baby is ready to move to the next size.
Zip-lock bags are good for keeping clothing items and soft toys that you want to store in the attic for sentimental reasons or if you are planning to have another baby
Choose clothes wisely
If you are short on space then try not to buy too many bulky items such as large blankets and puffy coats. You will want to keep your baby warm, of course, but as your baby will grow out of each clothing size so quickly you shouldn’t buy too many of the same size.
Keep on top of your laundry basket
We know that being a parent is a full-time job and more but when you manage to keep on top of your baby clothes washing by doing a load or two each day then you will not be overwhelmed by a huge pile of clothes to fold and put away.
Summary
Folding baby clothes can be tedious but if you stick to a method that works for you then it can become part of your weekly laundry routine that only takes half an hour or so.
Whether you want to embrace modern folding techniques such as the KonMari method or stick to traditional folding methods, getting yourself organized will make your life easier. Some clothes are easier to fold than others but stick with them and you will soon get the hang of it.