File Folding 101
What is File Folding? File folding is a form of folding that allows everything in a space to be displayed at a glance and stand on its own, upright.
The above picture is from a previous job (teenage girls room) ziplock bags were used to keep her bikinis top and bottoms together.
Why is File Folding so great? It solves your biggest problem instantly with dresser drawers, how to keep them neat after you pull one item out! Looking for a shirt to wear, is what’s causing the mess. The main reason behind file folding, is everything is displayed for you taking away the need to “dig” through your drawer. With this new system as one garment comes out. Everything else stands on its own, which in turn keeps your space tidy! (I will wait for the applause to finish before I continue.) A huge bonus is you can fit more into your space. With those two home runs how can you not make the change?
“Before” I got my file folding hands on these drawers
“After” as you can see we did not file fold this clients sock because honestly that did not work for her- as always YOU HAVE TO USE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU!
Is file folding just intended for clothing items? Absolutely not!!! Some of my favorite places to use this system is in the bathroom and kitchen!!! In bathrooms, although towels are easy to maintain, smaller folded items are harder to keep together uniformly and aesthetically pleasing. This can easily be fixed with a cute rectangle box/bin one for wash clothes and hand towels. Kitchens if you have a drawer, this is a perfect and beautiful displayed space to keep all of those kitchen/bar towels right where you need them!
Kitchen Rags & Towels
What clothing items work best with this type fold? It depends on what you want displayed. The only thing I do not use this type fold are for items I roll and hang. That is it!!!! This should really tell you how diverse this fold can be! Below are couple examples how to fold pants and shirts, also a list of what I file fold most often. Remember though! Do not get stuck on the shape of the fold as much as the size. I like to really take my time on the first piece in a new space to see what shape works best, whether that is a drawer that I am making three rows for or a bin I am using in my closet. After I have my “sample” shape conquered remember you can always pull out your example as a guide to how to fold the rest.
Folding Jeans (or any pant/capri/legging)
Long Sleeve Shirt Fold-please forgive those wrinkles! This was a last minute photo with the shirt off my back (hey a girl has to do what she has to do to get a post out to you fine people!)
What organizers do I need? Not a thing! If you are keeping your file folding to dresser drawers only for your shirts and pants you are most likely all set. In my drawers we don’t have any separators. That being said if you have garments that are polyester or silky/thin material separators will help keep it upright. Unfortunately some items made of this material have a hard time staying up on its own. You will need bins if you are wanting to use file folding in your closet. Bins are great because they are in sense a drawer you can put anywhere. I love to keep my workout clothes this way and also seasonal shirts and pjs I keep on my top shelf in my closet. Also if you are folding your undies you will need separators most likely as well. Don’t forget though if you are not hung up on the uniformed look repurposing items around the house can work great in this space.
Here is a list of what I file fold on the regular for clients and my own family:
Socks and Panty Hose
Underwear Thong/Boxers/Panties/Briefs
Jeans/Leggings
T-shirts
Hoodies and Long Sleeves
Socks
Kitchen Rags & Bar Towels
Washcloths and Hand Towels
Last but certainly remember systems of organization are not implemented to make your life harder, its to make it easier. After the initial investment in your time this will make maintaining you clothes so much easier! If their is just not enough hours in your day don’t forget I can handle all of your laundry needs including seasonal swap outs and of course maintaining your file folds! Call today!!!