How to Care for Your Flag: A Guide to Cleaning, Drying and Storage

A good flag is made to be used. Looked after properly, though, it keeps its good looks for much longer and wears out far less than it needs to.

Dust, city pollution, damp, strong sunshine and, above all, wind take their toll on the fabric every single day. That is why caring for a flag does not start when it gets dirty. It means using it the right way, checking it regularly, cleaning it carefully, drying it properly and storing it well.

This guide covers the most important practical steps for fabric national flags, company flags and advertising flags.

In short

To keep your flag in good condition for as long as possible:

• don’t leave it out in extreme weather for longer than necessary
• don’t let the fabric rub constantly against a wall, roof, branch, cable or any other surface
• clean it before the dirt works its way deep into the fabric
• use a mild detergent
• avoid harsh bleaching
• let it dry completely before you fold it and put it away
• check the fly edge and the fixing points regularly
• store it clean and completely dry

• Why care matters
• Washing
• Detergent
• Drying
• Ironing
• Extreme weather
• Rubbing
• Regular checks
• Storage
• 7 causes of wear
• When to replace
• FAQ

01Why does proper care matter?

Flags that fly outdoors face conditions that ordinary decorative textiles rarely have to cope with.

They move, fold and are pulled taut by the wind all the time. They are exposed to UV rays, dust, rain, changes in temperature and air pollution. If they fly close to a facade, a tree or another structure, they can also be worn down by rubbing.

Proper care helps you:

• keep the colours bright for longer
• keep the flag looking presentable
• avoid unnecessary mechanical wear
• spot small damage early
• keep the seams and fixing points in the best possible condition
• present a company, institution or organisation in a neat and professional way

No amount of care can completely stop the natural ageing of a fabric that lives outdoors all year round. The aim is not to speed that process up by using the flag the wrong way.

02Can you wash a flag?

In most cases, yes. But how you wash it depends on the material, the way it was made and its finish.

Polyester flags are generally fairly easy to clean, but always check the instructions for the specific product before washing.

It is especially important to tell apart:

• flags sewn from pre-dyed fabrics
• digitally printed flags
• satin flags and other flags made for indoor use
• flags with special appliqués, emblems or other added elements

If you are not sure how a particular flag should be washed, it is safer to ask the manufacturer first.

03Hand wash or machine wash?

Hand washing

Hand washing is the gentle option, especially when you are not sure how the fabric will cope with a machine. Here is how:

1. Use cool or lukewarm water.
2. Add a small amount of mild detergent for coloured or delicate fabrics.
3. Submerge the flag and move it gently through the water.
4. Don’t scrub the coloured areas hard against each other.
5. Don’t twist or wring the fabric.
6. Rinse thoroughly, until all the detergent is gone.
7. Let the excess water drain off naturally.

For a single stain, carefully treat a small area first rather than using a strong detergent on the whole flag.

Machine washing

Some polyester flags and some digitally printed flags can go in the washing machine, if the product instructions allow it. When machine washing is allowed:

• choose a delicates programme
• use a low temperature
• use a mild detergent
• avoid high spin speeds
• don’t wash the flag together with heavy or rough fabrics
• don’t use harsh bleach

If the flag has metal eyelets, snap hooks or other rigid parts, consider whether they could damage the fabric or the washing machine.

04Which detergent should you use?

Use a detergent made for coloured or delicate fabrics.

Avoid strong chemicals, which can damage the colour, the finish or the fibres. Be especially careful with:

• chlorine bleach
• strong stain removers
• solvents
• concentrated chemicals
• detergents that are not suitable for coloured polyester

If you need to remove a particular stain, test the product on a small, less visible part of the fabric first.

05How should you dry a flag?

Drying it naturally is the safest way. After washing:

• let the excess water drain off
• spread the flag out
• let it dry in a well-ventilated place
• don’t put it away while it is still damp
• don’t leave it crumpled up while it dries

If you dry it outdoors, don’t leave it in very strong sunshine for longer than it takes to dry.

06Can you iron a flag?

It depends on the material.

If it has creases after washing or storage, first try simply leaving it fully spread out. Many lightweight polyester fabrics smooth out on their own.

If the instructions allow ironing:

• use a low temperature
• don’t hold the iron in one place for too long
• take particular care with printed flags
• if in doubt, put a thin protective cloth between the iron and the flag

Never iron polyester on a high heat.

07When should you take the flag down?

One of the most effective things you can do to make an outdoor flag last longer is not to leave it on the pole in very severe weather, when you can avoid it. If the forecast says:

• very strong winds
• storms
• hail
• heavy snow
• other extreme conditions

it is best to take the flag down, as long as you can do so safely.

The greatest strain usually falls on the free outer edge of the flag, the fly. In strong wind it whips back and forth very fast, and it is often the first place where wear shows.

It is also important to use the flagpole itself in line with the manufacturer’s technical instructions.

08Avoid constant rubbing

Sometimes a flag wears out not because of the weather, but because of the way it is mounted. Check whether, as it moves, it keeps rubbing against:

• a facade
• a balcony
• an awning
• a roof
• branches
• a cable
• a neighbouring flagpole
• a metal edge or another structure

Repeated rubbing in the same spot can wear through the fabric in a much shorter time.

This matters most for flags mounted on facades, where there is often little room around the holder.

09Check the fly edge and the fixings

Don’t wait until the flag is badly damaged. Check regularly:

• the free outer edge (the fly)
• the hems
• the seams
• the metal eyelets
• the snap hooks
• the rope
• the side sleeve for the pole
• the areas under the most strain

A small problem can often be fixed before it turns into serious damage.

If part of the fly edge starts to fray, flying the flag for long in strong wind can make the damage spread quickly.

10How should you store a flag?

Before you put it away, make sure the flag is clean and completely dry. Never store a damp flag in a box or an airtight bag. We recommend that you:

1. Make sure the flag is completely dry.
2. Fold it carefully, without pressing it down hard.
3. Store it somewhere dry and clean.
4. Keep it out of direct sunlight while it is stored.
5. Don’t leave heavy objects on top of it for long periods.
6. Avoid damp cellars, garages and anywhere condensation can form.

If the flag is going to be stored for a long time, check on its condition from time to time.

117 things that can shorten a flag’s life

12When should you replace a flag?

Even the best outdoor flag is a consumable when it spends a long time out in the weather. Consider replacing it when:

• the colours have visibly faded
• the fly edge is badly frayed
• there is a tear that cannot be reliably repaired
• the fixing points are badly damaged
• the flag no longer looks right for the place where it flies

For a company, a hotel or an institution, how things look from the outside is part of its public image too. Sometimes a flag can still fly, but it no longer represents the organisation the way it should.

For very exposed places – high floors, the seaside, the mountains – our extra-durable flags are worth considering.

Frequently asked questions