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8 Tips on American Flag Care: Keep Safe From the Elements

American Flag Care

Maintaining an American flag can feel like a daunting task.

How do you follow flag code? Where do you put it? Wait, there’s a flag code?

The answers to these questions are not as life-threatening as they feel. Yes, Virginia, there is a flag code. No, it does not mean the police will come knocking on your door if you don’t hang your flag correctly.

Think of the code as guidelines to help you treat the American flag with respect.

And since you respect the American flag, knowing these 8 tips to help care for it properly will ease any worry you may have

Read on to learn everything you need to know about American flag Care

1. Pay Attention to the Surroundings

When choosing where you will display your flag be aware of what is around it. Check for branches, rough edges or corners, and anything that could potentially tear the material.

Check surfaces the flag may rub against such as siding or fascia for rust, dirt, or corrosion. Regular contact with such contaminants could cause discoloration or faster wear and tear.

Remember to place the American flag where it can flow freely and not touch the floor, ground, water, or anything beneath it.

2. Know Your Materials

Understanding the different materials flags are available in can help you purchase the right American flag for your purpose.

Nylon flags are made to withstand rain and be an all-weather flag. This material resists tearing, shredding, and fading while the colors stay bright and the flag dries quickly.

Polyester flags are more heavy-duty for windier conditions and extreme weather. Specifically engineered to resist high winds, snow, and rain, the spun woven polyester material used for American flags is the most durable.

Traditional flags are made from cotton. Those for professional display will often have more intricate embroidery and designs, sometimes with an added gold or yellow fringe.

3. Indoors vs Outdoors

If you will be displaying your flag outdoors, it is important to choose nylon or polyester, as these materials are more durable and suited for varied weather.

Embroidered cotton flags should be kept indoors and protected from weather if needed to be used for an outdoor ceremony.

Some heavy-weight, non-ceremonial, cotton flags may be appropriate to use outdoors if they are only flown in mild weather conditions.

4. Pay Attention to the Weather

Seeing a waving American flag can stir the patriotic heart, but watch the weather so the flag doesn’t wave to the point of ruin. Shelter your outdoor flag from inclement water as much as possible if you would like it to last longer.

It is completely appropriate to take down your flag during weather that you worry will cause wear, tear, or loss of the flag.

5. Keep It Dry

All-weather flags made from nylon and polyester may be more forgiving if they get wet and are able to dry in the breeze following said weather. Be mindful that if your flag remains wet, the red and blue colors could potentially bleed into the white stripes.

Remove your flag and gently lay it out flat. Allow it to dry to prevent the colors from running.

If your flag has a gold fringe, it is particularly important to lay it flat with towels under the fringe to let it dry without the color running into the flag.

Remember: Never fold or roll up a wet flag.

6. Keep It Clean

An important element of American flag care is to clean your flag regularly. You may think this is unnecessary with outdoor flags in particular that get rinsed in the weather, but washing your flag can actually increase its life.

Hand wash your American flag with a mild detergent or put it in a gentle cycle in the washing machine. Rinse thoroughly and do not let the flag sit in the machine following the cycle.  Immediately lay it flat to dry or hang to dry in the wind.

Indoor flags should be dry cleaned. Some dry cleaners will clean flags free of charge or have special offers to do so around Flag Day and the Fourth of July.

7. Check For Wear and Tear

Inspect your flag regularly for wear and tear. These are the most common things to look for:

  • Broken threads on the fly end of the flag. Trim these carefully so they don’t continue pulling.
  • Frayed or torn edges on the fly end of the flag. Trim the end to get rid of any tatters and rehem. Be mindful of how much you may need to repair and make sure your flag still conforms to proper size proportions.
  • Tears around the grommets. If you start seeing tears around the grommets, repair or replace them quickly, as this kind of damage can lead to more serious damage quickly under the wrong conditions.

Being mindful of small tears and problems with your American flag and repairing them quickly will increase the longevity of your flag.

8. Respect Flag Etiquette

Take your new knowledge one step further and learn the details of the U.S. Flag Code. Maintaining a beautiful flag is a big piece of following flag code, and Flagpole Farms has a great reference to know when and how to fly your flag.

In addition to your traditional American flag, if you have an American flag car decal, make sure it is displayed properly.

Typically the Union (blue section) is on the upper left corner of any American flag images that are permanently fixed. But if displaying your decal on the passenger side of the vehicle, the Union should be positioned on the upper right corner, since this is the corner that leads the flag when the vehicle is in motion.

Maintain a Beautiful American Flag

Regular cleaning and maintenance of your American flag will ensure it is a treasure for a long time. Have proper storage ready for when you need to bring it inside to protect it from weather and you will be all set to give it the respect and care it is due.

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