How to Fold and Hang Towels Like a Hotel (Roll, Square and Gift Folds)

When hanging towels in the bathroom, fold each one lengthwise into thirds and drape it evenly over a bar, so air reaches both sides and it dries fast. For shelves, hotels use three simple folds: the roll, the square and the tri-fold. Each takes under a minute once you know the steps.

This guide walks through each fold step by step, plus a gift fold and two easy towel animals. It also covers the best way to hang towels on a bar, ring or hook, especially in humid weather.

Before you fold: a few basics

• Fold only fully dry towels. A towel folded while slightly damp will smell musty within a day, especially during the monsoon or in Karachi's humidity.
• Shake it out first. A few hard snaps fluff up the loops and remove creases.
• Know your towel lines. Many bath towels have a flat woven band, called a dobby border, near each end. People often ask what these towel lines are for. They are mainly decorative, but they also strengthen the ends and give you a neat guide, because a fold is straight when both bands line up.
• Which side do you use? On most terry towels both faces are the same, so either side works. If one face has a printed or woven design, fold so that side faces out.

How to roll a towel like a hotel

Rolling towels saves space, looks neat in a basket or on an open shelf, and is the fold most hotels use for spare bath and hand towels.

1. Lay the towel flat, long side facing you.
2. Fold it in half lengthwise, or into thirds for a thicker, shorter roll.
3. Starting from one short end, roll tightly and evenly towards the other end.
4. Stand the rolls on end in a basket, or lay them side by side on a shelf with the loose edge underneath so they don't unroll.

For small hand towels or square face towels, fold the square corner to corner into a triangle first. Then roll from the long edge towards the point. It makes a slim, tapered roll that looks lovely in a guest bathroom.

How to fold a towel into a square

The square fold is the everyday choice for linen cupboards because the towels stack flat and don't slide.

1. Lay the towel flat and fold it in half lengthwise.
2. Fold it in half lengthwise again, so you have a long narrow strip.
3. Fold the strip in half from the short end, then in half again.
4. Stack with the folded edges facing out, so the shelf looks tidy.

The hotel tri-fold for display

This is the fold you see on hotel towel bars and bathroom shelves. The folded edges face out and no seams show. The fold is only half the look, though. The towels hotels choose matter just as much.

1. Fold the towel lengthwise into thirds. Bring one long edge to the one-third line, then fold the other edge over it.
2. Now fold it into thirds across the width. Fold one short end in by a third, then the other end over it.
3. Place it on the shelf with the smooth folded edge facing the room.

Want a finishing touch for guests? Stack a bath towel, a hand towel and a face towel, each folded this way, from largest to smallest. It looks fancy but takes no extra effort. If you want to know what a complete set includes, see what a bathroom towel set should include.

How to fold a towel for a gift

Towels make a practical gift for Eid, a housewarming or a jahez set. A neat fold makes even a simple pair look special.

1. Fold a bath towel and a hand towel into tri-folds of the same width.
2. Place the hand towel on top of the bath towel, centred.
3. Roll both together from one short end into one thick roll, or leave them flat as a stack.
4. Tie with a ribbon or a strip of fabric, and tuck in a small card or a soap bar.

For a basket, roll several towels in different sizes and stand them upright, tallest at the back.

Easy towel animals

Towel animals are a fun hotel trick, and children love them. Use a clean, dry towel and don't worry about perfection.

Swan (one towel)

1. Lay a bath towel flat, long side facing you.
2. Find the middle of the top edge. Fold both top corners down to meet at the centre, forming a point, like a paper aeroplane.
3. From each long slanted side, roll the towel tightly inward until the two rolls meet in the middle.
4. Lift the pointed end, bend it up and back to form the neck, and fold the very tip down for the head.

Two swans facing each other, with their necks forming a heart, is a classic for newly-weds.

Elephant (bath towel plus hand towel)

1. Lay the bath towel flat, long side facing you. Roll both short ends towards the middle until the rolls meet.
2. Fold it in half so the rolls are underneath. Pull the four roll ends out slightly to make legs, then stand it up.
3. For the head, lay the hand towel flat and roll both long sides into the middle. Fold it in half to form the trunk, and open the loose flaps at the top as ears.

A one-towel elephant is possible with a large bath sheet, but the two-towel version is much easier to get right the first time.

Hanging towels in the bathroom: bars, rings and hooks

How you hang a towel matters more than how you fold it. A towel that dries quickly stays fresh longer and needs washing less often.

On a towel bar

• Fold the towel lengthwise into thirds or in half, then drape it over the bar so both ends hang at the same length.
• If you have space, spread it open on the bar instead. The more surface area is exposed, the faster it dries.
• Don't hang two towels on top of each other on one bar. The inner one stays damp.

On a towel ring

Rings suit hand towels near the basin. Pull the towel through so it hangs in two even halves, and spread it slightly so the middle doesn't stay wet.

On a hook

Hooks save space, but a towel bunched on a hook dries slowest. Towels with hanging loops sit better on hooks. Even so, move a bath towel to a bar or line after use on humid days.

Where to hang bath towels to dry

A closed bathroom without a window or exhaust fan is the worst place for a wet towel, especially in the monsoon. Better options:

• A bar or line in a bedroom or corridor with a fan running.
• A balcony or veranda in shade, where there is a breeze.
• A drying stand near a window during load-shedding, when fans are off.

Avoid long hours in harsh direct sun, because it fades colour and can leave cotton stiff. A shaded, breezy spot works best. If drying time is a constant problem at home, a thinner towel helps.

The store's care guide has more tips on washing and drying.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to roll or fold towels?

Rolling saves space and suits baskets and open shelves. Square folding stacks more neatly in a closed cupboard. Neither affects the towel itself, so choose whichever fits your storage.

How do hotels fold towels for display?

Most hotels use a tri-fold, with thirds lengthwise and then thirds across, with the smooth edge facing out. They stack bath, hand and face towels by size, or roll spares into baskets.

What is a roller towel?

A roller towel is a long cloth towel joined into a loop and hung on a wall roller or dispenser, often in offices and public washrooms. Users pull down a fresh section, so it is a commercial item rather than a home towel.

Where should I hang kitchen towels?

Hang kitchen towels on a hook or oven handle away from the stove flame, and keep them separate from bathroom towels. Our guide to kitchen and tea towels covers their types and uses.

Neat folding starts with a towel that holds its shape. You can browse our 2-piece 100% cotton towel sets, each with a 30 x 60 medium towel and a 30 x 90 large towel for Rs 2,999, a pair that also makes a tidy gift fold. All come with free delivery across Pakistan, Cash on Delivery and a 7-day exchange on unused items in original packing.