Maximizing Flag Lifespan: A Comprehensive Guide to Advertising Flag Care

Advertising flags can either be feather, teardrop, or block flags. Whichever advertising flag will you be using, it is important to learn how to properly take care of them. If you want those to last long, understand the ways in maintaining, cleaning, and storing these advertising flags. In this article, we will show you the different tips and best practices you can apply in looking after your advertising flags. 

I. Regular Quality Check 

This is important so that you are made aware if there are fixes that need to be made. Imagine you are about to install your feather flag for the next location of your event only to find out that there’s a huge tear. Without regular inspection and proper maintenance, you might be surprised at the status of these flags when it’s time to use them again. 

Below are the steps you can take. 

1. Schedule a time and day for checking: Make time to inspect for any holes, tears, or fading colors in your advertising banners. 
2. Inspect all the components. Ensure that all the components are still intact. No missing grommets. The hooks or other attachment points are still secured and stable.
3. Work on weak areas. Upon evaluation, you saw that there is a small tear which can easily be rectified, work on it right away. Do not wait for the damage to be significant before you start addressing it. 
4. Look out for any loose threads. Stretch the banner to fully inspect if there are any loose threads. If so, cut it immediately. People get tangled with it or it could cause further damage to your flag. 

II. Cleaning Techniques 

Cleaning is an important part of protecting your advertising banner. Have you attended a concert and all you see are dirty feather flags fluttering? It makes a bad impression right? Your recollection of the brand or logo imprinted on that flag won’t be good given such experience. To avoid that situation, here’s what you can do to clean those flags. 

1. Read the instruction manual: Take time to read and follow what is stated in the instruction manual. This will determine whether it is recommended to have it hand-washed. If the manual states hand washed only, use soft detergent and water to clean it. Do not use a hard brush to scrub it as it could ruin the design. If it states that you can machine wash the flags, remove any string which could tangle it. Use a mild detergent and water to clean it. Make sure that it dries thoroughly before storing. 

2. Learn its fabric type. You should know the material component of your flags because it would require different kinds of fabric to be used. 

3. Do not use any bleach and strong chemicals: There might be stains that are hard to remove but you still have to avoid using bleach. If you want those stains to be removed, you can soak the fabric in warm water with soap for a few minutes. Gently scrub it and rinse it properly to remove any soap. 

III. How Often Should You Clean Your Flags?

These advertising flags can be used indoors and outdoors. They are exposed to different elements, especially the ones that are stored outdoors. For those which are installed indoors, these flags can collect different kinds of stains from passersby. The ones which are placed outdoors will accumulate dirt, dust, and different kinds of air pollutants. Changes in the weather condition could also affect its lifespan. Placing it under direct sunlight or heavy rains could affect its quality. 

Flags are placed outside and are on display 24 hours, 7 days a week for a year. It should be cleaned at least every two to three months. If they are put on display only for only a few hours per day, cleaning could be done at least once a year. But make sure to check the condition of the flag first before storing it. There may be cases wherein it has been on display for an hour only but in an area with heavy vehicle traffic, the flag could get dirty easily and thus would require cleaning immediately. 

IV. Dos and Don’ts in Cleaning

Cleaning these flags is pretty straightforward. You can use the following guide to avoid damaging your flags. When cleaning, you can use some mild detergent, lukewarm water, soft fiber, and sponges. Avoid using the following: rubbing alcohol, bleach, strong household chemicals, acetone, thinner, hard brush, and powerful pressure. 

If it’s your first time using the mild detergent for your flag, you can do a test first. Find an area within the flag that is inconspicuous, pour a tiny amount of the detergent with water, and see how the fabric reacts. If you notice any color changes, you might want to use another brand of detergent.  

V. Drying Methods 

Making sure that these advertising flags are completely dried up will ensure that no moisture is there. It helps in extending its lifespan. Similar to drying your canopy tent, you can follow the steps below. 

1. Air-drying: Choose an area where there is enough air coming through to dry up your fabric. Do not place it under direct sunlight. It will affect its color and could cause fading. 
2. Machine drying: Read the manual first and make sure that the advertising flags can be machine dried. If that is the case, carefully follow the instructions. Take note that putting too much heat on the fabric could cause it to shirk. 
3. Ironing and removing wrinkles: If the manual states that you can iron the flags, you can do so. It will enhance the appearance of the flag. Your audience would rather see a crease-free advertising flag than something full of wrinkles. 

VI. Storing Guidelines 

If you want to maximize the use of your block or feather flag, make sure to store them properly. Read some of the tips below which you can follow. 

1. Clean up your advertising first. Do not store your flags right away especially if it has been placed outside. Chances are it has accumulated dirt and other particles. It also saves you time on your next event when you already have a clean flag to use.  
2. Get a dry and clean storage box. Make sure that your storage box is dry and clean. No insect or pest should be able to enter it. Have you thought of opening your storage box only to find out your flags were all damaged by rats? That’s why it’s important to tuck them in an area that is safe and away from them. 
3. Check on the right folding technique: You can either check the website where you got the flag for information related to folding techniques. Since advertising flags are of different shapes, there are techniques on how to avoid getting too many wrinkles. 

VII. Repair and Replacement 

Assess whether it’s time to replace the flag or its components or you can do away with some repairs on it. 

1. Minor and Major repairs: Check the damage within the advertising flag and decide whether or not you should be getting some professional help. If it’s just a missing grommet or loose hooks, you can do it yourself. But if the damage is too big, you need to get help from an expert. 
2. Replacement: if the colors are already faded out, you can hardly read what it says. Or if the logo is too blurred to see, then it’s time to have it replaced. 

VIII. Ask for help when needed

If it’s your first time cleaning these advertising flags and you are not confident to do it yourself, you can check Everest Prints website for info. You can also send us a message. It is better to have an expert to help you out on your first time. The next time around, you already know what to do.  

If you want to maintain the vibrancy of your advertising flags and make sure it lasts long, take good care of it. Learn the various ways on how to maintain, clean and store it. Advertising flags are excellent investments in your marketing campaigns. In order to maximize its usage, due diligence in checking and cleaning it must be done. In the event that you are looking for a replacement for your advertising flags, check out our website.