Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
I am not sure the proper way to display my American flag under certain circumstances?
- I have an old flag that has been in my family for years. Now I want to display it everyday but it needs to be cleaned how do I clean it?
- Is it proper to display an American flag with fewer than 50 stars?
- Is it proper to fly a US flag that has been used as a casket cover?
- I bought a new flag last week and put it on my car. Now it’s all torn up. Why did it wear out so quickly?
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I am not sure the proper way to display my American flag under certain circumstances?
Visit the "Flag Etiquette" section of our website, the information there covers most situations. If you do not see the information you need you can contact the National Flag Foundation, their number is 412-789-4830 or you can visit their website at https://nationalflagfoundation.org/etiquette/how-to-display-the-flag/.
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I have an old flag that has been in my family for years. Now I want to display it everyday but it needs to be cleaned how do I clean it?
Many US flags sold in the past 20 years have been made of synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester. These can be machine washed in cold water with a mild detergent. Older flags made of cotton or wool may be more fragile. Natural fabrics tend to deteriorate with age and the fibers become brittle. We would be hesitant to machine-wash these older flags. You can try washing by hand with Woolite or a similar product.
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Is it proper to display an American flag with fewer than 50 stars?
Yes, once an official US flag, it will always remain so. Even the historical US flag such as the 13-star Betsy Ross is still considered an official American flag.
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Is it proper to fly a US flag that has been used as a casket cover?
It is not a violation of flag etiquette but because it is 5 X 9½’ it should be displayed on a flagpole that is 25 to 30 feet tall.
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I bought a new flag last week and put it on my car. Now it’s all torn up. Why did it wear out so quickly?
None of the US flags we manufacture are designed to withstand the stress of being displayed on vehicles and driven on the highway. If you want to show your patriotism on your car it would better to use a bumper sticker or tape a US flag inside a side window. Tying a flag to your antenna or otherwise affixing it to your vehicle is unsafe. It could easily tear loose and fly off, thereby causing an accident.