How to clean, store and reuse a banner

A good banner is reusable. School events, seasonal sales, annual festivals, sports teams and churches often use the same banner year after year, and a well-kept vinyl banner can come out of storage looking almost new. The difference between that and a cracked, creased, spotty banner is about fifteen minutes of care when you take it down.

Before you take it down

Pick a dry day if you can. A banner taken down wet has to be dried before storage anyway, and handling wet vinyl picks up grit that scratches the print. Take off the fixings from the middle outward, finishing with the top corners, so the banner doesn't drop and drag on the ground.

Cleaning vinyl banners

1. Lay the banner flat, face up, on a clean surface: a tarp, a clean floor or a table.
2. Brush or rinse off loose dirt first. Grit rubbed across the surface acts like sandpaper.
3. Wash with lukewarm water and a little mild dish soap, using a soft cloth or sponge. Work gently in the direction of the print.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Dry with a soft towel and let it air-dry completely, both sides, before rolling.

Avoid: solvents, acetone, alcohol-heavy cleaners, abrasive pads, pressure washers at close range and bleach. Solvents can soften or lift the ink; abrasives scratch it. For bird droppings or sap, soften with warm soapy water for a few minutes, then wipe; don't scrape.

Cleaning fabric banners

Dye-sublimated polyester banners are often machine-washable. Check the printer's instructions; typical guidance is a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent, no bleach or fabric softener, and line-drying or a low tumble. Remove any hardware first. Hand-washing in a tub is the safe alternative for large pieces. See fabric vs vinyl banners for how the two materials differ.

Storing vinyl: roll, don't fold

Folding vinyl creates creases that can crack the ink over time, especially in cold. Rolling avoids that.

• Roll around a cardboard tube (a mailing tube or carpet core) at least 3 to 4 inches across. Tighter rolls stress the print.
• Most printers recommend rolling with the printed side facing out. Rolled this way, the printed surface is slightly stretched rather than compressed, which reduces creasing and cracking of the ink layer.
• Roll loosely enough that there is no pressure on the grommets, which can emboss the next layer.
• Slip the roll into a bag or wrap it in paper, and label the outside so you can find the right banner next year.
• Store flat on a shelf or upright, somewhere cool and dry. Avoid attics and sheds that get very hot in summer: heat can make vinyl layers stick together, and humidity invites mildew.

Storing fabric

Fabric banners can be folded loosely along the same lines each time, or rolled. Store in a breathable cotton bag or a box, not a sealed plastic bag where moisture can be trapped. Keep them away from direct sun, which fades dye over time.

Getting creases out of vinyl

If a vinyl banner has been folded, lay it face up in the sun on a warm day for an hour or so; the vinyl softens and relaxes. Hanging it under even tension also pulls most creases out within a day. You can also use a hair dryer on low, moving constantly and holding it well back from the surface. Never use an iron directly on vinyl.

Preventing and treating mildew

Mildew grows when a banner is stored damp. Prevent it by drying completely, both sides, before rolling. If spots appear, wash with mild soap and water. A mild solution of white vinegar and water can help on stubborn spots; test it on a corner first, rinse well and dry fully.

Quick repairs

How long can a stored banner last?

Indoors and dry, a vinyl banner can be stored for years. What ages it is time in sun and wind, not time on a shelf. If you reuse a banner every year, keep a note of where you hung it and how; it saves time and holes next year.

Making banners reusable from the start

The cheapest reusable banner is the one you designed to be reused. When ordering:

• Leave the year off, or put it on a separate small banner or an attachable panel.
• Choose 13 oz or heavier vinyl with welded hems and brass grommets.
• Order a standard size that fits your usual spot.
• Keep the design file, so you can reprint an exact match if it is ever damaged.

A storage routine for organizations with many banners

Schools, churches, sports clubs and businesses often end up with a closet full of rolled banners that nobody can identify. A simple system saves time every season:

1. Give each banner an ID and write it on a tag tied through a corner grommet, plus on the outside of its tube or bag.
2. Keep a one-page inventory (a shared spreadsheet works): ID, size, message, material, where it usually hangs, how it is fixed, and its condition after each use.
3. Photograph each banner hung in its usual spot. The photo answers "which one is the 3 x 8 ft welcome banner?" instantly and shows how it was hung.
4. Store hardware with the banner. A small zip bag of bungee balls or S-hooks tied to the tube means nobody hunts for ties on event day.
5. Inspect on the way in, not on the way out. Check grommets, hems and color as you take a banner down, while there is time to repair or reprint before the next event.
6. Retire banners on purpose. When a banner is faded, cracked or out of date, recycle or repurpose it rather than leaving it in the pile.

Vinyl banners can't go in most curbside recycling, but some sign shops and specialty recyclers accept them, and many people reuse old banners as drop cloths, tarps, tote bags or garden covers.

Questions people ask

Should I roll a banner with the print facing in or out?

Out, in most printers' guidance. Rolled printed side out around a tube, the ink layer is stretched slightly rather than compressed, which reduces creasing and cracking.

Can I fold a vinyl banner?

You can for short moves, but folds leave creases that can crack ink over time, especially in cold weather. Roll it for storage.

How do I get wrinkles out of a vinyl banner?

Let it warm in the sun face up, hang it under even tension for a day, or use a hair dryer on low held well back. Don't iron vinyl.

What should I clean a vinyl banner with?

Lukewarm water and mild dish soap with a soft cloth. Avoid solvents, alcohol-heavy cleaners, bleach and abrasive pads.

How do I stop mildew on a stored banner?

Make sure it is completely dry on both sides before rolling, and store it somewhere cool and dry in a breathable wrap.

Sources and further reading

• Mold and mildew: why damp storage causes it
• Our guide to hanging banners outdoors

Written and checked by K.R. for UnlimitedBanners.com. Product specs and prices change; confirm details with the printer or seller before you order. Spot an error? Tell us.