Ribbons outlive their appearance. The medal usually holds up for decades; the ribbon attached to it fades, frays, and stains long before the metal shows any wear. That is not a manufacturing failure in most cases — it is handling and storage.
We make ribbons and lanyards alongside our medals, so we know exactly what damages them. Here is how to keep them in good condition. For how to specify a ribbon in the first place, see our guide to custom medal ribbons and accessories.
What we’ll cover:
- What actually damages a ribbon — print first, fabric second
- How to clean woven ribbons and printed surfaces safely
- Cleaning lanyards, which behave differently
- Drying and pressing without wrecking the print
- Storage that prevents fading and fraying
What Damages a Ribbon
Two components fail at different rates, and knowing which one you are dealing with determines how to treat it.
| Component | Main threats | Usually fails first? |
|---|---|---|
| Printed surface | Abrasion, sun, washing, heat | Yes, on printed ribbons |
| Woven fabric | Snagging, fraying at edges, moisture | Yes, on plain ribbons |
| Thread or stitching | Abrasion at the attachment point | On heavy medals |
| Clip or clasp | Losing spring tension | On clip attachments |
| Dye (woven color) | Sun fading | On brightly dyed ribbons |
For a printed ribbon, the print is almost always the weak point. It sits on the surface of the fabric, so anything that rubs against it — clothing during a race, repeated handling, machine washing — wears it away.
For a plain woven ribbon, the fabric is the weak point, specifically the edges. A heat-cut edge resists fraying; a cut edge that was not sealed will fray with handling. To see how ribbon material and print methods compare, our ribbon materials guide covers the options.
Cleaning a Ribbon Safely
The single most important rule: do not machine wash a printed ribbon. The agitation abrades the print off the surface.
| Situation | Method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light dust | Soft brush or lint roller | Wiping with a damp cloth |
| Fingerprint marks | Dry soft cloth, light pressure | Solvents, alcohol |
| Spot stain | Damp cloth with mild soap, blot only | Rubbing, soaking |
| Heavy soiling | Hand wash cool, mild soap, minimal agitation | Machine wash, wringing |
| Printed ribbon, stained | Spot clean only where possible | Full immersion |
| Woven ribbon, stained | Hand wash cool, reshape damp | Hot water, tumble dry |
For spot cleaning, blot rather than rub. Rubbing drives the stain into the weave and, on printed ribbons, takes the print with it.
If you must wash a printed ribbon, treat it as a delicate item: cool water, a small amount of mild soap, minimal handling, and no wringing. Then dry it flat. Accept that some print loss is possible.
For plain woven ribbons, hand washing in cool water is safe. Reshape the ribbon while damp so it dries straight rather than in a crumpled state.
Cleaning Lanyards
Lanyards behave differently from flat ribbons, and the difference is in the structure.
| Lanyard type | Cleaning approach | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Flat printed lanyard | Treat like a printed ribbon — spot clean | Print is surface-applied |
| Woven lanyard | Hand wash cool, reshape damp | Text is woven in, more durable |
| Tubular cord lanyard | Wipe with damp cloth | Can hold water inside |
| Round twisted cord | Wipe with damp cloth | Can stretch if soaked |
| Lanyard with metal clip | Remove clip if possible before washing | Metal can rust or tarnish |
The metal clip is the detail most people miss. A clip washed with the lanyard can tarnish, and rust from it can stain the fabric. Detach the clip where the design allows, and dry the hardware separately.
Tubular lanyards trap water internally, which can lead to mildew if stored damp. After cleaning, hang them to dry fully rather than putting them straight into storage.
Drying and Pressing
Heat is the risk here, and it applies to both print and fabric.
| Method | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Air dry flat | Best for printed ribbons |
| Hang dry | Good for lanyards and woven ribbons |
| Tumble dry | Avoid — heat and agitation damage print |
| Iron on low, cloth between | Acceptable for plain woven ribbon only |
| Iron directly on print | Never — print will transfer or melt |
| Hairdryer on hot | Avoid — concentrated heat damages print |
If you need to press a plain woven ribbon, use the lowest setting with a clean cloth between the iron and the fabric. Never place an iron directly on a printed surface.
For a ribbon that has dried with a set crease from its folded position, hanging it freely for a day usually relaxes the fabric without any heat at all. Try that before reaching for an iron.
Storage That Prevents Damage
Ribbons stored badly fade and fray. The two levers are light and friction.
| Storage factor | Effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sunlight | Fades dye and print | Store in a closed container or drawer |
| Fluorescent light | Slow cumulative fading | Long-term: minimize exposure |
| Damp | Mildew, especially on tubular lanyards | Dry fully before storing |
| Friction | Abrades print and frays edges | Do not store loose in a bag with other items |
| Weight on top | Sets creases in the ribbon | Store flat or hung, not compressed |
| Metal contact | Tarnish transfer | Keep metals separated where practical |
For medals on display, the ribbons will fade over time regardless — that is unavoidable with light exposure. If the ribbon color matters to you, keep the display out of direct sunlight. The metal itself is far more resistant to light than the fabric is. On the metal side, plated medals leave our line with an anti-oxidation oil coat — the final step of a 9-step plating run — and it’s the 500-second alkaline copper strike underneath that anchors the finish to the casting, which is why a stored medal keeps its color while the ribbon beside it fades. Our medal display hangers are designed to minimize fabric contact and creasing.
For stored medals, a single flat container per collection works well. Do not stack heavy items on top of ribbons, and avoid storing them loose with other metal objects that could abrade the print. Display choices are covered in our medal display guide.
If a ribbon has a permanent crease or a significant print loss, replacement is usually the practical answer rather than restoration. Standard ribbons run 860-900mm by 20-30mm, and a replacement preserves the medal even if the original ribbon is past saving. For how to fit the replacement correctly, see our ribbon attachment guide.
We produce ribbons and lanyards matched to medal orders, so a replacement ribbon can be ordered to the original spec. If you need one, send us the medal size and the ribbon spec and we will quote it.
Data to confirm: Confirm current ribbon and lanyard materials and print methods with the factory before ordering replacements, as print durability varies by method.
FAQ
Can you wash a medal ribbon? Plain woven ribbons can be hand washed in cool water with mild soap. Printed ribbons should be spot cleaned only — machine washing or soaking abrades the print off the surface. Never machine wash any ribbon.
How do I clean a stained medal ribbon? Blot with a damp cloth and mild soap rather than rubbing. Rubbing drives the stain into the weave and takes the print with it on printed ribbons. For heavy soiling, hand wash cool with minimal agitation and dry flat.
Why did my medal ribbon fade? Sunlight and fluorescent light fade both dye and print over time. This is unavoidable with display, but keeping the ribbon out of direct sunlight slows it significantly. The metal is far more light-resistant than the fabric.
Should I remove the clip before cleaning a lanyard? Yes, where the design allows. Metal clips can tarnish during washing and rust can stain the fabric. Dry the hardware separately from the fabric.
How should I store medals to protect the ribbons? Store flat or hung in a closed container, away from direct light and damp. Do not stack heavy items on top, and avoid storing ribbons loose with metal objects that could abrade the print.
Can a damaged ribbon be replaced? Usually yes, and it is more practical than attempting restoration. Standard ribbons are 860-900mm by 20-30mm. A replacement ribbon preserves the medal even when the original is past saving.
Related product page: medals with a rotating centre — medals with a rotating centre, including 3D inner elements and custom plating.
