Can You Wash an American Flag? Everything You Need to Know

Unfortunately, even the American flag gets dirty.

It’s nice to imagine the Stars and Stripes as immune to wear and tear, but anyone who flies a flag quickly realizes this isn’t the case. In this article, we answer the age-old question: can you wash an American flag? 

You’ll learn when (and how) to wash your American flag by hand and when to put it in the washing machine, plus tips for extending the life of your flag. 

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Can you wash an American flag?

Washing your American flag is entirely acceptable if you notice it appears soiled.

Just like any fabric left outside for a long period of time, your flag is bound to get dirty. But although you wouldn’t think twice about giving your patio chair pillows a good scrub, washing the American flag is a hot-button issue for many people. 

For this, we turn to the United States Flag Code. The code is the definitive guide to displaying the flag respectfully. It lays out how to mount, carry, and store an American flag, but it does not prohibit people from washing their flags. 

On the other hand, flying a dirty flag is considered by many to be poor etiquette. And etiquette aside, dirt and grime also causes a flag to deteriorate more quickly. 

Washing machine or hand wash?

The tricky part about washing the American flag is that the fabric is often delicate and the blue and red colors can bleed. For these reasons, washing your flag needs considerably more care than washing towels or clothes.

The first step is to identify the material used for your particular flag. Depending on the material, you can choose the washing method – hand washing or machine washing.

Nylon, polyester, or other synthetics: American flags made of these materials are generally safe to machine wash, as long as the flag is otherwise in good shape with no visible fraying.

Cotton, hemp, silk, wool, or linen: It’s best to hand wash flags made of these materials.

Most flags dating before the mid-20th century are made of hemp, silk, or wool. Modern flags are usually cotton or synthetic. When in doubt, assume your flag needs to be hand washed. 

How to hand wash an American flag

American flags made of natural fabrics like cotton, wool, linen, or silk are best hand washed. Any flag that is old, frayed, or threadbare should also be washed by hand.

What you’ll need to hand wash your flag

• Mild detergent
• Oxygen-based bleach
• Lukewarm water
• A bathtub or large basin 

Steps for washing an American flag by hand

Follow these steps to clean your delicate flag by hand. 

Step 1: Loosen excess dirt

Gently shake the flag to eliminate any loose dirt.

Step 2: Pre-soak to remove stains

If your American flag is stained or heavily soiled, you’ll need to pre-soak it before washing. 

In a tub or basin, combine lukewarm water with an oxygen-based bleach. For the ratio of water-to-bleach, follow the package instructions. Submerge the flag in the mixture and allow it to soak for at least four hours, depending on how dirty it is.

Step 3: Wash and rinse

After the pre-soak, drain and refill your tub with clean, lukewarm water and a few drops of mild detergent. Gently hand wash the flag, then rinse it in cold water. 

Step 4: Air dry 

Lay your American flag out flat or hang it to air dry. If you notice any creases when it’s dry, use an iron to remove them.

Can you wash an American flag in the washing machine?

You can wash an American flag in the washing machine if it’s made of a synthetic material like nylon or polyester, and if the fabric is in good shape without noticeable wear and tear. 

What you’ll need to wash your flag in the washing machine

• A soft brush
• Mild detergent
• Clean water

Steps for washing an American flag in the washing machine

If your American flag is safe to machine wash, follow these steps for best results. 

Step 1: Remove excess dirt

Shake your flag or use a soft brush to remove any visible dirt. 

Step 2: Add detergent 

Place the flag in your washing machine along with a mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener.

Step 3: Wash on a gentle cycle

Always use the gentle cycle and cool water when you machine wash an American flag. Washing the flag with hot water or on a longer machine cycle can cause the colors to bleed. 

Step 4: Lay flat or hang to dry 

Do not dry your flag in the dryer. Instead, hang it or lay it flat to air dry. 

Pro tip: Before you wash your American flag, test an inconspicuous portion to make sure it’s colorfast. To do this, wet a cotton swab with water and rub it on each flag color. If you notice dye bleeding onto the cotton swab, it’s highly likely to bleed during machine washing. 

In that case, it’s best to use the hand washing method outlined above.

Tips for extending the life of your American flag 

To extend the life of your American flag and keep it in the best shape possible, follow these best practices for care. 

1. Avoid exposing your American flag to weather conditions like rain, snow, hail, or strong winds.
2. After washing the flag, allow it to dry thoroughly before storing it.
3. Always use the appropriate cleaning method for your flag's fabric.
4. Never dry a flag in the dryer.
5. Store the flag in a location with stable temperature and humidity levels. Overheating and excess moisture may damage and mold your flag’s fabric.
6. Fold the flag in a triangular shape and put it in a display case when it’s not being flown. Choose UV-reducing glass for your display case to preserve the colors.
7. To avoid creases, you can also use a long cardboard shipping tube or a PVC round tube to fold the flag before storing it. To keep it dust-free, tie it with cotton thread and cover it with a plain cotton sheet.

Keep your flag clean and flying with pride

An essential part of maintaining your American flag is cleaning it regularly and with great care. 

Most of the time, all that’s needed is a quick wipe-down with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. However, when your flag accumulates a lot of dirt and debris, you can use the washing techniques in this article to make it clean and ready to fly proudly once again.

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