Cleaning and Caring for American Flags

After a fun-filled 4th of July holiday, it’s time to clean up. Besides the grill, the dishes, the stained clothing and tablecloths, you probably also have a variety of American flags to clean and put away in storage as well. Here are some tips for cleaning and caring for your flags.

Cleaning flags made of synthetic material

Wash polyester and nylon flags by hand or in your washing machine with cold water and a mild detergent. Do not soak synthetic American flags in water because for some flags, color may bleed from the red stripes to the white stripes. Do not put it in the dryer. Hang it on a clothes line or lay flat to dry. Do not fold or roll up a wet or damp flag. If the flag is wrinkled, press with a cool iron.

Although polyester and nylon flags are touted as all-weather flags, you should still avoid flying them in harsh weather such as heavy rain, snow or high winds. Taking good care of your American flag will prolong its life.

Cleaning cotton or wool flags

These natural fabrics can only be spot cleaned or dry cleaned. Please bring them to Utopia Cleaners for professional cleaning.

When your American flag is worn out, you should dispose of it properly, preferably by burning, according to the U.S. Flag code. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, the military and other organizations regularly conduct dignified flag-burning ceremonies and will accept your tattered flags for disposal.

About Utopia Cleaners

Utopia Cleaners offers dry cleaning and laundry services to the communities in Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Woburn, Brookline, Everett, Chelsea, Medford, Belmont, Winchester, and Lexington via dry cleaning delivery service and laundry pickup service. Other services include alterations, wedding gown preservation and shirt laundry.