How to Roll Towels to Save Space and Organize

How to fold towels is one of the topics I have been wanting to write about for more than a year. It’s a simple housekeeping skill, but one we use almost every day, whether we are putting away laundry or tidying towels that have been pulled out of place.

I just started to roll towels this new way, and it’s much better than my older method because the towels stay in place. The secret to having a tightly rolled towel is tucking the pointed end into the roll so it holds its shape.

Aren’t simple hacks that are easy to remember the best?

I think a nice basket of neatly rolled towels is the best way to display your larger towels. I don’t have any lovely open shelves in our new bathroom yet, but a stack of matching white cotton towels smelling of sweet fabric softener reminds me of a spa or five-star hotel, even if they are in a basket. Until I get those shelves, a basket does a pretty good job.

Having rolled towels that stay together is a fantastic idea for a busy kids’ bathroom. Each child has their own preferred colour, hopefully preventing them from rummaging through neatly folded stacks to find their favorite. You can even use a small basket to hold hand towels near the sink so the kids can skip hanging them on a towel bar.

As an empty nester, I find rolled towels perfect to display in a basket, store in wire baskets in the compact spaces of our travel trailer, stack away as beach towels for the swimming pool, and keep my lovable dogs’ bath sheets separate so they don’t get mixed in. This is very helpful when you don’t have a lot of storage space, and you can tuck seasonal towels up high to squeeze in a little more storage.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Rolling Towels

There are so many folding methods for towels, but this roll and tuck method is a great option for keeping towels in neat, secure bundles. The funny part is that Hubs learned to fold them this way on his own because he finds it intriguing that it works, and he loves how they stay in a nice, tight roll.

Begin with a flat surface at least as big as the towel; you want to be able to lay the towel out flat.

Step 1. Starting at the short side, grab the upper left corner and fold it over to meet the longest edge, forming a triangle at one end.

Step 2. Taking the upper long edge, fold the towel in half lengthwise, matching the edges.

Step 3. Grab the towel at both ends along the folded edge and flip it over. Use the palm of your hand to crease the fold.

Step 4. Start at the square short edge opposite the point and roll the towel as tightly as you can towards the pointed end of the towel.

Step 5. Push the point of the towel into the end of the roll to secure it in place.

Step 6. Your towel roll is finished and ready to store or display.

You can use this method for any size of towel. It’s even a great way to display washcloths as well. Our guest room isn’t fully furnished yet, but I did include a chair with a basket full of freshly washed towels and facecloths for guests. The room doesn’t look like a luxury hotel yet, but it’s a small touch that somehow looks more welcoming than a simple stack of folded towels.

How to Roll a Towel Video

Here is the same tutorial in video format if you prefer to watch the steps instead.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Around here, I do all sorts of different things to squeeze extra storage space into our home. I love being able to find what I want when I want it and still have room to breathe. Happy organizing!

Pin this easy towel folding and rolling method for later. The simple tuck helps rolled towels stay neat and secure, making them easy to store in baskets, linen closets, bathrooms, or other small spaces.