Shirt Folding Board From Cardboard and Duct Tape

If you are like me, you want to spend as little time folding clothes as possible. In retail stores, they speed up the process by using a folding board. A simple hinged board dramatically reduces the time that it takes to fold a shirt while maintaining a perfectly uniform fold. To implement this brilliant idea in my own home, I designed a simple DIY shirt folding board out of cardboard and duct tape.

Step 1: Materials

The materials that you need for this project are cardboard and duct tape. More specifically, you need six pieces of corrugated cardboard that are at least 9 inches (23 cm) by 12 inches (30.5 cm) each. I found pieces of the appropriate size in the form of three shipping boxes that I had in my garage. The duct tape can be replaced by any other kind of tape. However, there is just something iconic about a project that is made from nothing but cardboard and duct tape.

The only tools that you will need are a sharp knife (such as a box cutter) and a ruler/yardstick (optional).

Step 2: Cut the Cardboard to Size

You need six rectangles of cardboard to form the base of the folding board. The dimensions of the cardboard pieces will determine the dimensions of the folded shirt. 9 inches (23 cm) by 12 inches (30.5 cm) is a dimension that is commonly used in department stores for large shirts. Alternatively, you can just fold a shirt to whatever size that you prefer and use that as a template.  

Measure and mark the outline of six rectangles of your chosen size. Then carefully cut them out with your knife. Try to keep the sides as even as possible.

Step 3: Tape the Panels Together

Lay out the panels in a grid of three wide by two high as shown in the picture. Space them out so that there is a gap of about 1/4 inch between each panel. This gap lets the panels easily fold and move while in use.

On both the front and back sides, tape each of the panels on the top row to each of the panels that are adjacent to it as shown in the picture. Then your shirt folding folding board is complete!

Step 4: Use the Folding Board

Now you are ready to fold some clothes.

1. Place a shirt face down centered on the board.
2. Fold one side panel over and back.
3. Fold the other side panel over and back.
4. Fold the bottom center panel up and back.

If all went well, you should have a perfectly folded shirt in a fraction of the time.

Comments

[CraftyCat2013]

Wow! Dis is great! the prices for the ones on amazone today are crazy!

[00mmatto]

How I use for my laundry out of box

[cowboyathome]

https://makezine.com/projects/diy-clothes-folding-board/

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Yep. That's my project. I posted it to both sites.

[Sara B Sirius]

I made mine out of one big piece of cardboard from two sides (with a common fold) of a large box. I added the two side folds after cutting quarter inch wide slits. I reinforced those folds with tape. I even gave it a loop-and-button closure for tucking it away when not in use. I added an easy-carry handleto the top of the board.

[Frostxr]

So I made this a few years ago. Only one problem, it's the duct tape. It doesn't work well on cardboard unless maybe it's sticks to itself. But after awhile I found the tape unsticking everywhere. I may try a different type of tape.

[Sara B Sirius]

If you have a heat gun, blow hot air over the tape once you have it in place and then press out all the air bubbles while it's still warm. Heat and pressure helps set the glue. If you don't have a heat gun, perhaps you have a blow dryer. Use the hottest setting.

[nancy319]

Try postal packing tape. Almost as wide as duck tape and should stick better, especially since it's made for mailing package It's @ $3 at Walmart in office supplies.

[loskop100.]

I sprayed the edges where the tape goes with a little aerosol spray adhesive, no way it comes off now.

[Frostxr]

I guess if you have a can lay around, why not. I have paper tape. I wonder if that can work.

[loskop100.]

Do you mean the brown stuff that you have to lick? :-)

[NebulaIX]

I made it, but didn't have enough cardboard, so I used only 4 panels, and arranged them into a T shape. You just have to replace the lower right and left panels with your hands, ie. do what the panels do with your hands. I'll upload a pic soon. BTW you can also do trousers on it! Anyway, it works like a breeze. Great I'ble.

[AshleyK66]

Hi

[TWJL1]

WOWOWOWOWOWOW NICE WAY TO FOLD CLOTHES!!! NEVER TRIED ACTUALLY (NO OFFENCE) BUT WOULD LIKE TO TRY ONE DAY (WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN)

[sarawelder]

very nice. the bought ones sometimes scratch the fibre of silk shirts so this is better. Also the remade ones may not be the correct size for your drawers/shelves/boxes or packing cubes so this allows much more flexibility!

[mlaiuppa.]

Sheldon would be proud.

[lostcub]

Of course, if you were to change the middle to where there are 3 folding sections in 3rds, you can do t-shirts too! Or polo too, if you perfer the 3 folding up on them too.

[lostcub]

Isn't that a violation of an active silly patient? hehe I guess you are "saved" by the fact you didn't give out "measurements" don't cha love loop holes? I think I'll make one. You could use cheap lexan with hinges for one that clean about and possible more durable/cleanable than the cheap $2 plastic they are selling for $19.95.

[taur561]

Hey Riverboat ! . Than you for sharing . Just as a matter of interest , this can be a small moneymaking idea as we have guys making them and selling in Africa . In today's society , it is men with idea's and who can use their hands who make good money . Case in hand is the humble "poop scoop" . I was fortunate enough to know the man who had the foresight to bring this to the world market . From being bankrupt , he was given the poop scoop patent and molds in lieu of a debt he was owed and having nothing else , he started to make and sell them . He went on to establish distributors in America , U.K. , Canada , Australia , New Zealand and South Africa where he came from . He confided in me shortly before his death that he had sold 70 million poop scoops world wide . Just goes to show that education is not everything so please do not stop contributing good idea's .

[taur561]

Hey Riverboat ! . Than you for sharing . Just as a matter of interest , this can be a small moneymaking idea as we have guys making them and selling in Africa . In today's society , it is men with idea's and who can use their hands who make good money . Case in hand is the humble "poop scoop" . I was fortunate enough to know the man who had the foresight to bring this to the world market . From being bankrupt , he was given the poop scoop patent and molds in lieu of a debt he was owed and having nothing else , he started to make and sell them . He went on to establish distributors in America , U.K. , Canada , Australia , New Zealand and South Africa where he came from . He confided in me shortly before his death that he had sold 70 million poop scoops world wide . Just goes to show that education is not everything so please do not stop contributing good idea's .