Need advice how to wash flags

[aaabbb]

One of my naval flags of USSR looks to be quite old (dated 1952, with some dirt). It seems to be made of silk, how to wash it? Can I use some hand lotion?

[deValcourt]

Could you post some pictures so we can see what sort of "dirt" you are talking about and the texture of the material in question? I would not be too quick to "wash" anything until we heard from a few of the learned cloth guys.:)

Phillip

[aaabbb]

Originally Posted by deValcourt

Could you post some pictures so we can see what sort of "dirt" you are talking about and the texture of the material in question? I would not be too quick to "wash" anything until we heard from a few of the learned cloth guys.:)

Phillip

Here's the photo, it's a very common naval ensign flag. Should be made from silk, it's made in 1952. Not in very good condition.

[DougD]

Very nice flag; shake it outdoors, maybe use a light brush, then leave it as is.

[deValcourt]

Agreed. Any spots of discoloration or "dirt" will only add to the historical character of the flag when you display it.

Phillip

[Jeffrey Meffert]

Cleaning flags can get you in trouble. When I lived in germany in the 60's I acquired a 4 X 12 foot party banner (hakenkreuz itself was a meter across). It smelled musty so my mom tossed it in the washer. It was much too big and heavy for the dryer so she did with it what it was designed for...and hung it over the balcony. Our neighbors thought it was hilarious and started to sing the Horst Wessel Lied...right up until the Polizei showed up and pointed out to the naive americans that public displays like that were sort of illegal.

[Bill Garvy]

Originally Posted by aaabbb

it's a very common naval ensign flag.

I must respectfully disagree; it's an "Order of the Red Banner" Naval Ensign. . .

[aironmeiden]

At the very beginning i had an idea to clean mine (i don't know why... i'm absolutely contrary to the cleaning of hystorical artifacts: i think i lost temporarily my sound of mind :D), so i contacted a museum's laboratory specialized in restauration of old fabrics. Except the price that was far above 4x the price of the banner itself they suggested me to leave it as is as soon it is in an healthy status.

I suggest you to do the same: imho dust, dirt and patinas are the seal of time and they have the right to be there :).

[NTAT]

aaabbb

I agree with deValcourt. I wouldn't do anything until I heard from someone with the proper knowledge. My vote - Doug Drabik is your guy. Besides being a fantasic individual, in my opinion he's the final expert on cloth.

Good Luck:thumbsup
Gerry
NTAT

[Lapa]

Originally Posted by aaabbb

...how to wash it?...

In short: DON'T!

Marc