How to take care of your LGBTQ+ flag

 

So you’ve bought your first LGBTQ+ flag but it’s your first and not sure how to take care of it. Here’s some handy tips on how you can ensure your flag lasts the tests of time.

Clean when soiled

If you notice any dirt, grime, mould or other soiling of your flag, clean it immediately. Allowing your flag to be soiled can eat into the material discolouring the flag and potentially leading to build up which will impact your flags ability to fly correctly. Use a gentle soap and wash in regular warm water to clean and then allow to naturally dry. AVOID any bleaching or colour stripping soaps as LGBTQ+ flags have vibrant colours so these chemicals can strip or blead the colours in your flag. 

Bring in your flag during extreme weather

Whilst flags are naturally designed for outdoor usage, extreme weather can dramatically reduce the lifespan of your flag. As flags can freely move during high winds and storms, this can place stress on eyelets and seams, leading to rips and tears.

Don’t pack away your flag when wet

Avoiding extreme weather isn’t always easy and your flag might get a little wet before you have a chance to bring it inside. That’s OK – just make sure you don’t pack your flag away while it’s still wet. Packing away flags while wet can lead to mould growth on your flag which will cause unsightly staining of your flag and change its overall look. The best thing to do is hang your flag inside where it can dry before being folded and put away. Clothes racks are great for this – just make sure you put the rack on a surface you’re OK getting a little damp as flags can hold quite a bit of moisture.

Avoid using heat to dry your flag quickly as many flags are made from materials which can burn or react to heat – so definitely don’t iron, put in a dryer or use a hair dryer to clean your flag.

Check the seams and hems regularly

Check your seams and hems regularly as any wear and tear can quickly accelerate if left unresolved. If you see any frayed edges or loose threads have these cut back and re-stitched to avoid potential large tears forming and ruining your overall flag.

Position your flag in an open space

It may seem obvious but ensure you place your flag in a space where it can fly freely without obstruction. If your flag can hit surfaces like other poles, walls or tree branches, it can potentially get entangled or torn on these surfaces. We understand uniquely with many of our customers ordering LGBTQ+ flags they will display their flags in non-traditional ways which is excellent. If you’re not installing your flag on a pole, ensure whatever surface you do display the flag that it will not move by pinning all four corners to the surface and ideally framing the flag to avoid wind being able to catch under the flags surface.

If you follow these tips you should be able to safely prolong the line of your flag and keep it in the best condition for its life.