There is no more cherished symbol of the United States than the American flag. And your brand new flag truly shines - the red, white and blue national colors are vivid, the densely embroidered stars shine. Here are some tips in prolonging your flag's life and maintaining its special place as the nation's symbol.
For best results, do not fly your flag in rain, snow or excessively strong winds. Constant wind puts great stress on the flag's material - whether it is nylon, polyester or cotton - and, over time, will cause the fly ends to fray.
Make sure your flag does not touch any rough surfaces including tree branches, wires or buildings. This will result in small tears that, if unchecked, will continue to grow and accelerate the fraying process.
Flags get dirty so give yours a nice cool bath. Hand wash your flag in cool water with a mild laundry detergent. A cool wash works for any material. If your flag has a stain, add bleach, Clorox 2 works well, to the water. Do not soak for more than a few minutes as bleeding into the white stripes may occur. Rinse well in clear, cool water.
After washing, do not put the flag in the dryer. Hang it on a clothesline or drying rack and allow it to drip dry. Nylon dries the quickest, with polyester and cotton needing a little more time. If your flag is wrinkled, you can use a cool iron for nylon or polyester. Cotton requires a hot iron.