There is much to consider when it comes to outdoor decorations like flags so you don't unintentionally fly a worn-out, damaged décor flag outside your house. The materials, the time, the cycle of flag hanging are just a few of the many elements contributing to your flag’s lifespan.

It’s a lot to take in, and we are here to get you covered. Keep in mind the 4Ws of this ultimate guide to flag care and it should help your décor flags look pleasing and flawless all year long.  

When to hang your flags

The first initial should be about the time when you should hang your flags for best maintenance. 

Flags are often associated with outdoor decorations. A décor flag is quite visible in a yard, garden, or placed in front of a door; it also ages much more quickly than an indoor flag. As a result, we focus on outdoor flag maintenance advice since it requires more attention. To achieve the greatest outcomes, however, we must differentiate the two types of flags that commonly exist in our outdoor spaces.

Before getting into details, you should know that an outdoor flag will generally last 90 days when hung every day from dusk until dawn, and is required to be taken down for upkeeping at night. There have been reports that a flag that is hung every day for 24 hours will only last ¼ as long as the regular lifespan of an outdoor flag. Therefore, when it comes to décor flags, this same cycle can be applied to generate a reasonable maintenance guide for most types of outdoor flags.

1. Welcome and greetings flags 

To maximize the lifespan of these kinds of flags, make sure you have a regular cycle of hanging them in the morning and taking them down at night; which is a relatively easy task to do. Besides, there are no downsides to taking a walk to your front yard everyday - whatever it takes to keep you out of the computer screen is beneficial for your health.

It is best to only hang flags for a period of time in the day and take them down at night

2. Garden flags

Since these types of flags hang out all night and all day in the garden, enduring every kind of weather and hardships, they are bound to wear out (or even tear) much faster than other flags. Don’t be surprised when you suddenly notice the fading colors on these flags only a few weeks after purchasing them. 

Garden flags tend to wear out quicker than other flags

It is worth mentioning that this lifespan of outdoor flags applies to flags that are made from standard high-quality materials, and this information varies greatly on the materials used for each flag. 

Where to hang your flags

The second guide to flag care is where to hang your flags.

We understand that you can’t control the weather or the climate of the area you’re living in, so be mindful of where you are hanging your flags to preserve their best features.

1. Welcome and greetings flags 

When these flags are to be hung wherever is in your sight when you first enter a house - whether they are in the front yard or next to the main door, you should be sure not to let them be exposed to extreme weather conditions, especially those that contain water like rain or snow. They are considered to be décor flags’ greatest enemies and they can tear down the lifespan of your flag tremendously. 

However, you cannot solve the problem by putting these flags next to a tree, since its branches and rough tree cortex can reduce your flags into a piece of fabric with gashes. Other harsh surfaces like cables and wires are also not recommended in flag placement. The best option is to put them in a spacious area with nothing in range and be mindful of the weather so you know when to put them inside.

2. Garden flags

Being exposed constantly to the outdoor surroundings of a backyard or a garden, you can expect garden flags to be much more fragile than others. Garden flags’ lifespans can be extended if there is an installment of some kind of roof over their heads, but it can only slow down the process. Garden flags are also vulnerable in strong wind and the best option is to put them in a place where they can be partly covered from windy weather.

The key to flag hanging is to be paying great attention to the cycle of the sun and the conditions of the area. Flags hung in dunny, warm, and dry climates tend to last longer than the ones in damp, rainy regions. 

When to wash your flags

The third is to remember when you should wash your flags.

It’s important to know when to wash your flags to improve their lifespans.

No one likes to look at dirty flags, but it is certain that no one wants to wear out their favorite décor flags either - it is best that you wash them only when they look too dirty to be displayed. This tip can apply to both types of flags, however, there is a slight difference that you might want to note down. 

1. Welcome and greetings flags 

The average time to wash these flags is about once every two weeks to ensure the image quality on them won’t be greatly reduced - they will eventually, this tactic is only buying time until then. 

2. Garden flags

After spending so much time out in the wild, garden flags will get dirty quickly - not to mention the dirt and mud spraying on them due to gardening activities. However, it is advised not to wash these flags so regularly as they’ve already worn out so much, unless you want a reason to buy new garden flags, that is. 

We recommend a thorough wash once every month, and if you are feeling like spending a little effort, wash them by hand. Garden flags are colorful bunches and for a fact, you won’t want to get all of those colors mixed up in a washing machine.

When to change your flags 

We can not run from the inevitable. When the lifespan of a flag runs out, you will have to consider the option to replace them with another one or to leave the place flag-less.

Change your flags when they have one of the following conditions:

• The colors of the flags are no longer vibrant
• The image or text is no longer brightly visible 
• There are holes in the flags
• There is an unremovable stain on the flags
• There is tearing and fraying of the fabric

When there are obvious signs of tearing, it’s time to buy another flag

After all, décor flags are for, well, decorations. When they no longer have the ability to serve the purpose, you know it’s time to replace them with the ones that do. 

Running out of pretty flags to hang? Visit us at Wander Prints for fully customizable flags for a reasonable price (so you can replace them when the time comes).