When your home or business raises a flag on its flagpole, you’ll want it to be in the best possible condition without any tears or fading colors. Fortunately, there are ways you can help it stay pristine. Find out how by reading these four tips for preventing damage to your flag.
Lower It on Hot Sunny Days
Although you may love the idea of hanging your flag on sunny days, the sun can be detrimental to its colors and cause them to fade. One of the tips for protecting your flag from fading is to lower it on hot, bright days when you don’t see a single cloud in the sky. Your caution will help keep the flag’s colors looking bright and beautiful.
Keep Your Flag Clean
Another tip for preventing damage to your flag is to keep it clean. The cleaning process will help maintain the brightness of its colors and prevent stains from dust, dirt, and additional contaminants from becoming permanent.
If your flag is in good condition, you should be able to put it into your washing machine, as long as you use a light detergent and a gentle cycle. But if the flag has suffered damage, such as tearing, try washing it by hand so that you don’t worsen its condition.
Dry It Before Storage
When you take down your flag, ensure it’s dry before putting it in storage. If it isn’t, the flag’s dampness can cause mildew to develop. Instead of putting it somewhere while it’s still wet, spread it out so that it can dry completely.
Take Care of Your Flagpole
The condition of your flagpole can also affect your flag. For example, if you have a rusty metal pole or a splintered wooden pole, both can damage your flag every time it passes.
Try to take better care of the surface of your flagpole so that it doesn’t create rips in your flag. It’ll help if you also keep an eye on the condition of the connecting hardware so that it doesn’t damage it either.
By following these tips, you can keep your flag in good condition and properly show your pride every time you hang it. Otherwise, you may have to buy a replacement flag sooner than you expect.
