How a clean handkerchief is folded

[allergyboy2001]

I don't remember ever seeing this question before.

And it's a little hard to describe, but I hope everyone will know what I mean. If someone wants to improve these descriptions, feel free.

People who carry handkerchiefs for their hundreds of uses (besides display) will usually fold them one of two ways, after they come out of the laundry.

The first method is what I call the "(fold it in) quarters" method. You fold the handkerchief in half, length-wise, then the next fold is in the opposite direction, then length-wise again, then opposite again. One might also say, fold it vertically, then horizontally, then vertically, then horizontally.

The second method is what I call the "double lengthwise" method. You fold it in half lengthwise, then fold it length-wise again, before folding it the opposite direction twice.

Which way do you do it? And is this all based simply on your personal preference/how you saw other influential people do it? ("It's just the right way! My mother and father or my friends all said so!")

Or are there advantages to folding it one way or the other way? For example, if you only unfold it partially to blow your nose, do you like having the longer strip hanging down from the double-lengthwise method, or do you prefer the more "compact" look of a handkerchief that has been folded in quarters, when it is partially unfolded? I'm sure there are other pros and cons I haven't thought of.

I've wondered about this for years, ha ha.

Edited September 11, 2011 by allergyboy2001

[Vetinari]

I iron them using the "(fold it in) quarters" method. Can't say I'd ever even considered doing it a different way!

[Guest]

I agree with Vet have only ever done it the one way

[LittleGoldfish6]

Hmm this is interesting because I usually just stuff it in my back pocket, but then when i want to use it i cant tell what is the clean side or not.

If i do fold it i cant seem unfold it fast enough, (i tend to move in slow motion when i have to sneeze) and end up sneezing into a partially unfolded hanky. When i do fold it though, it's in a triangle.

[klaus_schnell]

I fold in in half twice in one direction and then twice in the other direction

I find that this give me plenty of surface area

but its also good because I only end up using 1/2 of it and the other 1/2 acts as like a buffer zone so my butt doesnt get wet

[allergyboy2001]

Can't say I'd ever even considered doing it a different way!

I think that's true for a lot of people.

[allergyboy2001]

When i do fold it though, it's in a triangle.

Creative and stylish!

[allergyboy2001]

its also good because I only end up using 1/2 of it and the other 1/2 acts as like a buffer zone so my butt doesnt get wet

Interesting point. Though it raises the philosophical question, is it better to have a wet butt or a wet outside pocket?

Also, your vids indicate your blows are quite ... copious ... so I'm surprised your entire hanky doesn't end up soaked.

[Vetinari]

But I've noticed that some women (like Little Goldfish) iron small hankies using just one fold each way and add a diagonal fold to give a triangular shape. If I'm folding a small hanky for my own use, I'll just use one fold each way and then stuff it in my pocket.

Actually what I described before was for mens hankies. If I'm ironing small ladies hankies, I make them into a triangle or kite shape, depending on the motif embroidered on them.

[allergyboy2001]

Interesting! My mother used to iron and fold the family hankies all the same way - the "double lengthwise" method - whether they were big or small. I now prefer the quarters method because (1) it's easier to clean my glasses with and (2) gives me a usable area if I need to sneeze and only have time to partly unfold it.

Very good points, Rhino. And that describes me too, my mom folds them the double-lengthwise way and I switched to the quarters methods, I think because I saw more of my peers doing it that way.

And you're right about the smaller ones only getting folded twice, I've observed that.

Another advantage of the quarters method is it keeps a lot more cloth between my nose and my fingers. A lot of times my fingers stay dry, which is certainly not true if I use tissues (but don't even get me started on the downsides of tissues).

[allergyboy2001]

I make them into a triangle or kite shape, depending on the motif embroidered on them.

I'm trying to visualize a kite shape?

[Vetinari]

Well here are some embroidered handkies that would be a kite shape ... if only they didn't have butterflies in the corner. Link.

[klaus_schnell]

I'm surprised your entire hanky doesn't end up soaked.

on the really bad days it does.

[countless]

Double lengthwise as it is the way I was taught to do it.

In my opinion that is the way every Belgian is folding his or hankies.

But I noticed that foreign friends are using the quarter method.

C

[Kleeny]

When ironing my hankies, I fold them into quarters, just for ease of storage.

I carry two hankies, one for my glassses which I keep folded in my pocket, but the one for my nose in my right pocket is actually unfolded, ready for immediate use.

[allergyboy2001]

Double lengthwise as it is the way I was taught to do it.

In my opinion that is the way every Belgian is folding his or hankies.

countless, are you saying that handkerchief-folding is something that unites all Belgians, regardless of language? Could this be the basis of a political platform? "At least we fold our handkerchiefs the same way. What else do we have in common? Belgians unite!"

[LittleGoldfish6]

When i do fold it though, it's in a triangle.

Creative and stylish!

hehe! thank you , but i really thought most hankies were supposed to be folded like that!

[countless]

Double lengthwise as it is the way I was taught to do it.

In my opinion that is the way every Belgian is folding his or hankies.

countless, are you saying that handkerchief-folding is something that unites all Belgians, regardless of language? Could this be the basis of a political platform? "At least we fold our handkerchiefs the same way. What else do we have in common? Belgians unite!"

the average Belgian does not have a problem with language, it is our politicians - conclusion: our politicians should use hankies !

C

[allergyboy2001]

conclusion: our politicians should use hankies !

Excellent idea. In public, as often as possible!