How do you clean an American flag?

Outdoor nylon or polyester flags can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent, then laid flat or hung to dry. Indoor flags with fringe should be spot cleaned or taken to a dry cleaner. See our full flag care guide for detailed instructions.

How do you display an American flag on a house?

When displayed from a house-mounted pole, the union (blue field of stars) should be at the peak of the staff. For vertical or horizontal flat displays, the union should be in the upper left corner from the viewer's perspective. Follow U.S. Flag Code guidelines for proper placement.

How do you fold an American flag?

The American flag is folded lengthwise twice, then into a series of triangular folds starting from the striped end, resulting in a triangular shape with only the blue star field visible. This traditional method is used for storage and ceremonial purposes.

How do you replace a flagpole rope?

To replace a flagpole halyard, attach the new rope to the end of the old one, then pull it through the pulley system at the top of the pole. If the old rope is already gone, a weight and line method can be used to thread the new halyard through the truck pulley.

The Complete Guide to American Flag Care, Display & Maintenance

At Gettysburg Flag Works, we're proud to be your go-to resource for everything flag-related. We've put together a full library of flag how-to guides and helpful content to help you do everything American flag related the right way.

From cleaning and folding to mounting, lighting, and hardware setup, our step-by-step tutorials and expert tips will ensure your flag flies beautifully for years to come.

Flag Care & Cleaning

How to Clean and Protect Your American Flag › Discover the best way to clean your flag — whether it's indoor, outdoor, nylon, or fringe-lined. Covers washing tips, wrinkle removal, safe drying, and protection techniques to extend the life of your flag.
How Long Will an Outdoor Flag Last? › Learn what factors affect the lifespan of your flag, including sun exposure, wind, usage, and location. Includes tips to help you get the most out of your flag.
How to Replace a Flagpole Halyard (Rope) › Step-by-step instructions on how to safely re-string your flagpole and reconnect your flag to its hardware. You can get replacement halyard by the foot here.

Flag Display & Etiquette

How to Display the American Flag Outdoors › From house-mounted poles to multiple flagpoles and vertical banners, learn how to correctly and respectfully display your flag based on U.S. Flag Code.
How to Properly Fold the American Flag › A visual walkthrough of the proper folding method, complete with photos, etiquette tips, and ideas for displaying or storing your folded flag.
How to Light a Flagpole at Night › Find out when lighting is required, how many lumens you need, and whether a solar or ground-mounted light is right for your setup.

Mounting, Hardware & Setup

How to Mount a Flag on a Spinning Pole › Confused about the clips, rings, or sleeve attachment? This quick guide walks you through both grommet and sleeved flag setup on a spinning pole.
How to Attach a Flagpole Clip to the Rope (Halyard) › Simple instructions with video and diagrams for attaching your flag using clips — whether for one flag or multiple.
How to Replace a Flagpole Halyard › Don't let a broken rope keep your flag grounded. This hands-on guide walks you through swapping out halyard rope safely and effectively.

Visual Learner? Check Out Our Video Library

We've also created a dedicated Flag How-To Video Library › that features many of the above topics in video form, including:

Folding the flag
Assembling flagpoles and hardware
Lighting setup
Halyard replacement
Indoor displays and more

Need Help With a Specific Flag Question?

Our flag experts are just a call or click away. Whether you need assistance finding the right hardware, installing your flagpole, or retiring a beloved flag, we're here to help.

Call us at 1-888-697-3524 or contact us online for help right now!

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