Knowing how to fold a fitted sheet is a deceptively tricky endeavor—one false move, and you’ve got yourself a mess that looks more like a bundle than bed sheets. Unlike top sheets and pillowcases that have a flat surface that makes putting away these bed linens a cinch, folding a fitted sheet with rounded, bunched edges makes the prospect of folding them seem like an exercise in futility.

“Fitted sheets can vary depending on the material and depth of mattress,” says Anisha Rajopadhye, merchandising manager of bedding at Quince. “While you can get away with a simple fold method for crib fitted sheets, any standard fitted sheet requires that you first tuck the corners to create a rectangular shape, and then fold into thirds lengthwise until you have a compact square.” Clearly anything with elastic corners that lives in your linen closet requires folding savvy, especially if dealing with a duvet cover seems easier.

It makes sense that you may feel intimidated and come to accept that the elastic edges mean that your fitted bed sheet is bound to be, well, bound into some sort of roll-up. Don’t give up just yet. “You aren’t going to necessarily master folding a fitted sheet on your first try, so you can’t get overwhelmed and give up,” says Janelle Cohen, founder of Straighten Up by Janelle and author of The Folding Book: A Complete Guide to Create Space and Getting Organized. “Take it slow, don’t let the amount of fabric get the best of you, and take it step-by-step.”

Follow our expert guide on how to fold fitted sheets without getting all tangled up.

What is the simplest way to fold a fitted sheet?

If you only have a few minutes to tackle laundry, don’t let folding a fitted sheet slow you down. Because of elastic corners, a fitted sheet is rounded so that the sheet can easily (at least in theory) adhere to the edges of your mattress. If you try to fold it as you would a flat sheet, it will likely look puffy. That’s because all the air gets trapped in the elastic edges. Crib sheets, which are typically 10 inches deep, may be an exception due to their smaller size. You might be able to get away with less pouf by folding them into vertical thirds, then again into thirds horizontally, Rajopadhye explains.

“For standard fitted sheets, lay them on a flat surface, so you can smooth out wrinkles and align edges more seamlessly,” says Rajopadhye. “Fabrics that are smoother and more prone to slipping will be easier to maneuver out on a table versus folding on your bed.”

Trickier are the fitted sheets with double elastic inserts. “While great for a snug fit on your mattress, it can create extra bulk when folding,” says Melanie Kaplan, product development merchant at The Company Store. “To handle this, focus on the inner elastic layer first, tucking it neatly into a rectangle. Once this is smooth, fold the outer elastic layer over to finish.”

Remember: The first time you do this might be tricky. Practice with a more manageable twin-size fitted sheet. Start by folding the sheet in half on a flat surface. Take the top part of the sheet then fold it toward you. Then fold down the long side, with the elastic, back toward the center crease. Repeat the process with the sides, folding the elastic corners toward the center. Smooth the sheet out during the process to release the air. Once you have a square, fold the left side toward the right side. You should have a narrow rectangle that you can fold into threes.

Start by placing your hands in the corners of your fitted sheet so that its long side is across your body (lengthwise). The elastic side of the sheet, not the fabric side, should be facing you. Hold the fitted sheet in front of you. Put your hands into the two top corresponding corners. This step might be easier if you’re standing, especially if you’re dealing with a king-size sheet.

With both hands inside the fitted sheet pockets, grab the inside of the right corner with your fingers and invert it. (If you’re left-handed, it might be easier to start with the left-hand corner.) Your sheet will look a bit skewed. That’s okay.

As you’re holding on to the inverted corner with your fingers, find the inside of the left corresponding corner and fold the inverted (right) corner into it. The corner seams touch.

Lay the sheet on a flat surface and straighten the edges. This side of the sheet should look like an L. Now look to the other side and repeat step 3. You should now have a U shape, with the elastic running lengthwise at the top.

Insert your hands into one of the pockets again. Notice that it has two layers now. Find the elastic corner, pinch with your fingers, and invert as you had done in step two.

Take the inverted side and connect it to the opposite corner, as you had done in step three. You’re back at the L shape, but now it should be four layers thick.

All four corners should be stacked together; if they are not, rearrange them with your hands and smooth the sheet as much as possible. Pushing out the extra air will make the next steps much easier.

Lay the bed linen down on a flat surface and smooth out the wrinkles again. Take the straight edge of the sheet and fold it toward the elastic band about halfway.

Fold over again to the opposite edge of the flat edge. Depending on the size of your sheet, you should have a narrow rectangle. At this point you can fold as you would with any flat sheet, folding over in doubles or thirds, depending on your storage space.

Given that a fitted sheet with an elastic is bulkier overall, to keep the configuration neat, try to smooth out the air as you fold for the most compact storage without messy bunching. Stack the fitted sheet with other sheets in your linen closet.

Do fitted sheets get wrinkly when you fold them?

Different fabrics will have different wrinkle tendencies. Percale cotton sheets may be light and airy, but they are known for hanging on to wrinkles. “Crisp fabrics like percale cotton and linen will be easier to smooth out when they’re still warm from the dryer,” Rajopadhye says. On the other hand, sateen woven fabrics are more forgiving. “Flannel sheets, for instance, are thicker, which can make folding easier but slightly bulkier,” Kaplan adds. Linen sheets and jersey sheets, like these organic fitted sheets by Coyuchi, are naturally a bit wrinkled, so even perfectionists can have a bit of leeway.

Is there a trick to prevent wrinkles when you fold a fitted sheet?

Anyone who has pulled a balled-up shirt out of a travel backpack knows just how impossible those wrinkles can be. The same laws apply to linens. “The longer your linens sit in a pile, the deeper the wrinkles,” Cohen says.

It’s a good idea to get this task over with as soon as your cotton sheets or linen sheets come out of the dryer—if you can avoid creases in your bed linens (and get rid of a laundry pile), why not? “This makes it easier to flatten the fabric with your hands as you move through each step,” Rajopadhye says.

When the folded sheets go into the linen closet without trapping wrinkles, your fitted sheets will look crisp as you put them back on the bed, getting you closer to that luxe hotel bedding look.

What’s the best way to store folded fitted sheets?

When done properly, a folded fitted sheet can look as tidy as neatly stacked pillow cases. In addition to creating a curated linen closet, properly folded fitted sheets can save a ton of space. Knowing how to fold an entire sheet set means that you can actually fit more than one or two sheet sets into your linen closet. “If space is a concern, folding sheets in tight thirds or quarters saves shelf space without compromising the neatness,” Kaplan recommends.

Cohen compares it to playing Tetris. When you have more space, everything fits together like a nice puzzle. “It also makes your space more cohesive and, therefore, less overwhelming,” she adds. “You can open your closets and feel ownership over what you have.”

To keep her linen closet organized, Rajopadhye reuses the drawstring pouches that come with her sheets. “It helps keep folded sheets compact, especially for silkier fabrics like bamboo or silk,” she says. “I also tuck dryer sheets in my linen closet for a fresh scent!”

For next-level linen organization, Kaplan advises investing in bins or baskets to separate sheets by bed size, room, or pattern. “Labeling each bin keeps your linen closet tidy and saves time when you’re looking for a specific set,” she adds.

Regardless of how you store your folded fitted sheets, check that your storage space has plenty of air circulation. One last tip from Kaplan: “An herbal sachet or a cotton cloth infused with essential oils will keep your sheets smelling fresh.”