Wash a Tri-color Flag

[Edelweisse]

Hi:

I recently purchased a tri-color WWII period German flag....and I'm mulling around washing it since it has some stains....but I think there is some mildew. I could just leave it alone....but I don't want it to get worse. It has that burnt/smoke smell......"Been there...." smell...which I don't want to eliminate....... Suggestions/Recommendations?? Thanks,

[jmcm]

washing will make it glow!

[Edelweisse]

I was thinking that.....I also looked at the flag closely and I saw where some of the mildew spots (?) are actually dry so when I hit the spot with my hand.... it's dust...which brushes away...so maybe.....I'll just leave it alone.

[101combatvet]

NEVER wash anything!

[jmcm]

Not sure what dry cleaning will do?

[Edelweisse]

Here is a picture of the flag. The more I think about it....I think that I'll leave it alone and store it in a dry area.

[ENGLISH BOB]

I cleaned a foul stinking nicotine stained party flag that had been hanging in a vets den about 20yrs ago with excellent results...I asked my late Mother for advise at the time,she recommended hand washing it with dreft soap flakes in luke warm water,well what a difference!.I just left it to soak for an hour then gently pumped the material up and down with the cold tap running which removed all the crap..you just keep doing that till the water runs clear.
Do not Wring just drip dry outside and job done.
#if in doubt ask your Mom

Cheers
Bob

[Totenhead]

Put it in a bag and deep freeze it for a few days, that will kill off any bacteria on it

[Edelweisse]

Thank you ,,,,that is a great suggestion.....I'll do that...

I also planned on leaving it alone...and not wash it.