So your flags from The Flag Shop just arrived in the post. Awesome! 

You’re probably excited to get them up and flying, but with the wind outside pushing 80 miles an hour…is now really the best time?

We love flags. Naturally, we want them to stay as bright and beautiful as if they were brand new, for as long as we possibly can. But when the whole point of your flag is to stand out at a muddy festival or create a poignant memorial on a remote and windy hill—let’s face it, if you know anything about the British weather, that’s probably not as easy as it sounds.

Whether you’ve ordered Jubilee Flags for Her Majesty’s special year or St George England Flag for the Qatar World Cup this winter, here’s how you can make them last longer.

Make Your Flag Last Longer

Our table flags, standards, and nylon Duraflags® may be designed for durability, but they’re not invincible. By following these four tips, though, you can prolong their life. 

1. Know When To Bring It Indoors

Are you using flags to signpost your business or outside of an office, shop, or stadium? While we’ve designed our flags for most of the UK’s windy spells, there are times when it’s best to lower them and take them indoors. When the wind reaches Beaufort scale 6 (30 miles per hour) and upward, you can avoid unwanted fading, rips, and flagpole damage by taking them inside for a better day. If it has been raining, make sure not to fold your flag while it’s wet!

2. Wipe or Hand Wash When Possible

Spotted a mud stain on your favourite festival flag? If you can dab it with a warm washcloth, this will save it from any potential fading that could occur in a hot water washing machine. Failing that, go for a gentle hand wash with mild detergent, a soft sponge, and warm water in the sink. Then, dry it flat without wringing. Obviously, make sure you’re not smearing any stains across the surface of it—do a small spot test before you wipe! 

3. Dust Indoor Flags

Indoor flags such as table flags or those beloved mini Union Jacks above the fireplace may be safe from inclement weather, but they still need some TLC. Keep your flags free of cobwebs and stop dust from ruining their brightness by running a duster over them from time to time. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum clear with an upholstery attachment on the very lowest setting, and cover it with a thin cloth before running it over your flag.

4. Steer Clear of Obstacles!

You can avoid all kinds of unexpected damage to your flag before it happens with some simple strategic hanging. To prevent potential rips and tears when the wind cranks up, it’s best to fly your flag away from trees, swinging signs, and anything that could cause it to snag and fray. 

Fun With Flags!

So you’ve taken your flag down or just washed it, but the weather’s still looking unpleasant? There are all kinds of wonderful ways to put it to good use without  hanging it from a flagpole; here are some of our favourites!

 

  • Use giant flags as backdrops. Do you regularly catch up with friends and family over Zoom calls? Turn a weekly catchup into a special occasion by hanging a flag on the wall behind you. It’s a great way to set a theme if you’re celebrating a special event, like a birthday, the Olympics, or St Patrick’s Day!
  • Get patriotic at the footy. Everyone knows who you’re supporting when you wrap yourself in your favourite team’s colours! If you haven’t already draped a giant St George flag around your shoulders at the footy, check out our England flag. (Or our Giant Progress Flag for Pride and festivals!)
  • Make a tablecloth. Why not add some pizzazz to your next private party with a giant-sized flag along the bar? While you now know how to wipe your flag clean, we’d still suggest covering it with a layer of see-through plastic. Perfect! Why not let us see some of your most creative flag uses?