Care & Maintenance

Washing your flag

The life of your flag depends on your care. Dirt can cut fabrics, dull colors, and cause wear. Most outdoor flags can be washed in mild detergent and thoroughly hand washed. Indoor and parade flags should be dry-cleaned. Many dry cleaners offer free cleaning of U.S. flags during the months of June and July. Damaged flags can be repaired and utilized as long as the overall dimensions are not noticeably altered.

 Flag Care

American Legion Posts and local governments often have facilities to dispose of unserviceable flags. Store your flags in a well ventilated area away from any harsh chemicals or cleaning compounds. If your flag gets wet, never store it until it is completely dry. Wet folds cause permanent creases. Dampness ruins fabric and causes mildew. Pole care is also related to flag care. Rust and scale cause permanent stains and some metallic oxides actually eat holes in fabric.

  • Always ensure flag when hoisted on a flag pole cannot flap against another object, like corner of house, roof, support wire etc.
  • To extend flag life, take flag down at dusk each day, and re-hoist the next morning.
  • When you expect storms or high winds always remove flag from flag pole and store.
  • Choose the flag material carefully to suit your flag usage and flag flying plans.
  • The flags made of flag bunting material are more suited to areas where high or consistent winds are experienced.
  • Flags made of Trilobal material because of their light weight will generally fly better where breezes are very consistently light.