How to Wash an American Flag and Other Flag Care Tips

Proper flag care is the best way to lengthen its lifespan. While deterioration and fraying are normal when exposed to the elements for extended periods, there are ways you can reduce wear and keep your flag looking vibrant longer. Knowing proper care techniques based on the flag’s material will help you remove mildew, dirt, and stains safely and effectively. In this article, we’ll provide cleaning tips to keep your flag looking great so you can fly it with confidence. 

Can You Wash a Flag? 

Did you know that the U.S. Flag Code states that flags that are frayed, wrinkled, ripped, or dirty shouldn’t be used? The national flag should always be kept clean and free of damage. 

How you clean your flag depends on its material and the manufacturer. While it’s okay to clean some models in a washing machine, others should be washed by hand or by a professional dry cleaner. If you have any questions about how to wash your flag, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

How to Wash a Flag: General Guidelines 

The material a flag is made from directly determines its care procedures. For example, heat can damage a nylon flag so you should never put it in the dryer but let it air dry instead. 

If it’s wrinkled, use a cool iron to smooth any creases. Putting away any flag that’s damp could cause color bleeding and mold and mildew to form. Let’s discuss proper care instructions for the most popular flag materials. 

How to Wash a Nylon Flag 

While manufacturers differ on whether you can machine wash their flags, nylon flags can almost always be washed by hand and laid flat to dry. Doing this will give their colors a new life. 

Content Marketing Specialist Kristin Holtshouser washed her Beacon® Nylon American flag when she noticed a bird had soiled it. “Washing my flag was really easy. All I did was throw it in the wash and put it outside, and it dried very quickly!” 

Here is how our manufacturers recommend cleaning some of our nylon American flags.  

• Carrot-Top Beacon® Nylon Flags - Handwash or wash in cold water on a gentle cycle in a washing machine. Use a mild detergent and hang or lay flat on a clean surface to dry. 

• Annin Nyl-Glo® American Flags - Annin Flagmakers recommends washing your nylon on a delicate cycle with cool water or handwashing it with a mild detergent. Lay flat to dry on a clean surface or hang outside. 

• Valley Forge Perma-Nyl® American Flag - According to Valley Forge Flag Company, all Perma-Nyl® flags should be washed by hand with mild dish detergent and laid flat to dry. Do not fold the flag while it is drying.  

• Eder Reinforced Nylon Flags - Eder Flag recommends washing their flags by hand with mild soap, rinsing thoroughly and air drying. You can also use a professional dry cleaning service. 

How to Wash a Polyester Flag 

While ultra-durable, you should always take care when washing Polyester flags. 

• Carrot-Top Patriarch® Polyester Flags - Wash on a gentle cycle on cold with mild laundry detergent, by hand, or with a dry cleaner. Never fold and put away damp as it could cause the colors to bleed and mold to develop. 

• Annin Tough-Tex American Flags - Handwash or use a gentle cycle with cool water and a mild detergent. Allow to dry thoroughly before folding to avoid color transfer and mildew growth. 

• Valley Forge Koralex II™ American Flag - This flag should only be professionally dry cleaned. 

How to Clean Cotton Flag 

Cotton flags are more delicate than nylon and polyester and should almost always be dry-cleaned or hand-washed. If necessary you can spot clean with warm water and a mild detergent, but take it to the dry cleaners if the whole flag needs to be washed. 

Create a stunning indoor flag display with a cotton American flag from AmericanFlags.com. Crafted from high-quality materials, each flag boasts vibrant colors and precise stitching. 

Indoor/Parade Flags 

The care instructions for indoor and parade flags are the same as cotton flags and should be dry-cleaned or spot-cleaned as needed 

Other Flag Care Tips 

Here are a few additional flag care tips. 

• Only flags made specifically for exterior use, such as our nylon flags or Tough-Tex flags, should be displayed outdoors.
• For the best results, do not expose your American flag to rain, snow, or exceptionally high winds; these forces of nature can shorten a flag's life considerably. Should the flag become wet, it should be carefully spread out and allowed to dry completely. Never fold or roll up a wet or damp flag.
• To keep its rich colors looking bright, clean your flag regularly before soiling and discoloration from dirt, smoke, dust, and other airborne contaminants "set" in the fabric. [Take this part out] Outdoor flags can be hand-washed with warm water and a mild detergent. Do not let the flag stand in the wash water, or you might experience some color "runoff" onto the white stripes. Professional dry-cleaning is recommended for indoor/parade flags. Many dry cleaners will clean Old Glory free of charge, especially during the period just prior to Flag Day, June 14, or Independence Day, July 4th.
• Do not place the flag where the wind will whip it against rough surfaces, tree branches, wires, cables, etc. The smallest tear can soon result in a tattered flag. Keep flagpole surfaces free of heavy dirt, rust, scale, and corrosion that could damage your flag.
• Inspect your flag regularly for signs of wear and tear. In particular, look for "normal wear" fabric or thread breaks which may occur in the "fly" end. This is the end farthest from the staff. Trimming off and re-hemming torn or frayed ends will help extend the life of your flag. Also, look for tears around the flag's grommets, which can lead to more severe flag damage. A note about car flags...
• Our car flags are among the best you can buy, however, they are designed for short-term use during parades, festivals or during holiday celebrations. Another factor in your flag's life is the speed at which you operate your car with your flag attached. Highway speeds are very tough on flags and will greatly decrease the life of your flag.

Frequently Asked Questions on Flag Care 

Properly caring for your flag ensures it remains a symbol of pride and respect for as long as possible. Below are some common questions about flag maintenance and longevity. 

How long should a flag last? 

This is a common question we get at AmericanFlags.com and one for which there is no exact answer. The U.S. Government generally expects a nylon or cotton flag to last approximately 90 days, based on daily display from sunrise to sunset, but not during periods of inclement weather. 

Tests have shown that in some cases, a flag flown 24 hours a day will last only one-fourth as long as one flown during the daylight hours only. Regardless of how well it is constructed, a flag is, after all, made of cloth and will sooner or later succumb to the elements. 

However, our customers at AmericanFlags.com consistently report far longer use than the 90-day estimate, even in areas with harsh weather conditions. Our Beacon® Nylon Flag, for example, has been put to the test by our content marketing specialist, who displayed it 24/7 outside her North Carolina home for more than a year. While North Carolina experiences few windy days, the intense southern sunlight can be brutal on fabrics. Even after continuous exposure, the flag showed only mild fading and wore exceptionally well. 

It’s not uncommon for AmericanFlags.com customers to go 18 months or longer before needing to replace their flags, proving that quality craftsmanship and proper care can greatly extend a flag’s lifespan. Keep in mind that flying a damaged flag is a serious violation of flag etiquette, so regular inspection and maintenance are key to preserving its integrity. 

Can you iron your American flag? 

Yes, you can use a medium hot iron on a cotton American flag, just like on cotton clothing. For nylon and polyester, we recommend using a cooler iron on a very low setting. 

When should I dry-clean my flag? 

If a flag made out of special material is dirty or stained, it may require dry cleaning. Check the care label or consult with a professional dry cleaner who’s familiar with flag care. 

Can I use bleach on my flag? 

We do not recommend using any type of bleach on a flag, including oxygen-based bleach. 

Buy Vibrant, Long-Lasting Flags from AmericanFlags.com 

AmericanFlags.com is a proud supplier of top-quality flags. We proudly stock American flags, Military flags, state flags, and specialty flags. Discover the American-made difference with AmericanFlags.com. Shop today!