How to treat teak garden furniture

One of teak's best features is its ease of maintenance, making it the perfect choice for outdoor furniture. Whether you've already purchased teak outdoor furniture or are looking to invest in your first garden set, we'll help you keep your wood looking its best. In this guide, our experts will show you how to care for your teak, from treating the wood to whether you should stain or varnish your furniture.

Should I treat my teak furniture?

Because teak is naturally oily, it can withstand almost all outdoor weather conditions. One of the main reasons for treating teak garden furniture is to preserve the wood's rich brown color. Over time, teak naturally ages, taking on a silvery-gray color, which is also beautiful but not to everyone's taste.

We advise against using any form of teak oil on your outdoor furniture. Applying oil can destroy the naturally occurring protective oils in the teak. If you choose to oil your teak, you must do so regularly to prevent the wood from drying out.

What treatments can be used for outdoor teak furniture?

Our experts recommend choosing a water-based treatment solution, such as a teak protector or sealer. This ensures that the teak's natural oils are protected and its rich brown color is maintained. 

Can I paint my teak furniture?

You can paint teak, but we don't recommend it. Teak's high oil content not only masks the wood's natural beauty, but also makes it difficult to apply paint or other decorative finishes. If you plan to paint your teak furniture, we recommend exposing new teak garden furniture to the elements for at least 6 weeks. After this period, we recommend prepping the wood with an aluminum oxide primer. 

Can I seal teak garden furniture?

It's possible to seal outdoor teak furniture, provided you use a water-based wood sealant. Sealing your teak is a great way to protect it from dirt or spills, especially food and drink! After sealing, you can simply wipe your teak furniture with a damp cloth to clean it. 

Can I polish teak furniture?

We advise against using polishes, oils, or varnishes on teak garden furniture. Not only do these products leave an unnatural finish on the wood, but the high oil content of teak also makes it difficult for these products to adhere. Applying products such as polishes can lead to chipping or peeling, which must be removed by sanding.

At Luxus, we want to ensure you get the support you need when choosing the right teak garden furniture for your home. Check out our comprehensive teak buying guide for expert advice, or check out our teak cleaning guide for more care tips.