Is It Better to Fold or Hang Your Clothes?

Adam Bender | June 15, 2021

Storing clothes can be a complicated matter. You don’t want your professional pieces to become wrinkled. At the same time, you also don’t want polo shirts and sweaters to become misshapen and stretched out. So you’re left trying to figure out which is better, to fold or hang your clothes.

There is no one way that is better for all of your clothes. Instead, you’re going to have a mix of clothes that should be hung up while others are better off folded. Some examples include:

Hanging: Dresses, jackets/suits, & blouses
Folding: Polo shirts, shorts, & sweaters
Either Fold or Hang: T-shirts, jeans, and scarves

Want to make sure you’re storing clothes properly in your custom closets? Hang around and read on to learn more about why different garments should be hung versus being folded.

Clothes You Should Hang

Not everything you own should be folded, just like not everything you own needs to be hung. A simple rule to determine what to put on a hanger is if it easily wrinkles or is a lighter weight you should hang it up. Most often, these are going to be items that you would wear to school, work, or on an outing.

Dresses

Most dresses fall under the category of needing to be hung. Everyday wear dresses are usually constructed from lightweight material. However, they may also be made from a flowy fabric that gives that great feminine look and makes the dress perfect for a night out. Either way, these garments tend to wrinkle easily and deserve a place on hangers.

Jackets/Suits

Jackets, in general, are bulky articles of clothing. The largeness makes it challenging to fold them. Additionally, if you were to fold them, they would undoubtedly wrinkle and, in cases of winter coats, could damage the coat by forcing it into a compact area.

Likewise, you wouldn’t want to fold your suits. Suit pants are not always made of rough, sturdy material. They are meant to look nice and be comfortable at the same time. Therefore, you will want to hang your pants, preferably in a way where the pants stay straight and not folded at all. Forbes further explains the benefits of hangers with adjustable clips for both pants and skirts.

Blouses/Button-Down Shirts

Blouses and button-down shirts are meant for formal outings and to help you look professional at work. You don’t want to fight with the ironing board every morning to get the creases and wrinkles out. Instead, hang them up to avoid a potential disaster.

Clothes You Should Fold

As with your hanging items, there are specific articles of clothing that you need to fold. Generally, these pieces are made from heavier-weight fabrics. Even though you fold them, you need to be aware of how and where they are stored. For example, wire baskets look nice but they may add creases to your clothes.

Polo Shirts

As most companies now allow employees to wear polo shirts and khaki pants in place of the traditional suit and tie, you may think it is best to hang these shirts. However, these shirts are made out of a thicker material. The added weight can cause them to stretch when hung. They could also become misshapen and not fit correctly.

Sweaters

Like with the polo shirts, sweaters, especially heavier ones, should find a place among your folded clothing. Sweaters are notorious for stretching when hung up. According to Marthastewart.com, not only does folding them save the integrity of the sweater’s shape, but it also helps to maximize space in your closet. Thick winter sweaters on a hanger can take up the same amount of space as five or six traditional blouses.

Shorts/Sportswear

Shorts and other sportswear don’t need to be hung up. For some items, hanging them can distort how they fit you later on. Truthfully, you will be wearing these articles of clothing to go work out or do chores around the house. They are going to get stained, dirty, and soak up sweat. Chances are you won’t be as concerned about what they look like when they come out of the drawer.

Clothes You Can Hang or Fold

There are a handful of clothes you can either put on a hanger or fold up to store. The best method for these articles depends on the room you have available in your closet and the material they are made from. Go with your personal preference.

Jeans

Denim jeans can be heavy, so hanging them may cause the jeans to stretch out of shape. You may prefer to fold them and place them in a drawer, or if you hang them, you may opt to fold them over the hanger instead of using clips to suspend them.

Scarves

The great thing about scarves is there are several different methods to store them. They can be hung, rolled, or folded. You might find it easier to fold larger scarves and place them in a drawer or basket. Smaller neck scarves, on the other hand, do better hanging. If you prefer this method, consider using a scarf organizer.

Casual Tops/T-Shirts

T-shirts are a versatile article of clothing that can be worn to do housework or for a casual brunch date in town. Folding them can save space in your closet but can also lead to wrinkles. Ask yourself where you’re likely to wear it before making a choice. If you opt to hang them, choose wider, padded hangers to keep the shirts from losing their shape.

Conclusion

Using the proper methods for storing your clothes can cut down on frustration and help your clothes look newer longer. Lighter-weight fabrics and clothing meant for work, or social outings should be hung up in your closet. You should fold articles of clothing that are made of heavier materials or meant for exercise or housework.