Teak wood care

Outdoor teak furniture is beautiful, durable and practical. It can be exposed to the elements all year round, which is why it has been used for the decks of ships and boats throughout history. And you can be assured that your teak patio furniture will not crack (except under normal inspection), will not splinter and, with proper care, will retain its attractive and durable properties.

THE NATURAL AGING AND GRAYING OF TEAK FURNITURE OUTDOORS


New teak furniture has a honey-brown color, the natural state of teak. It can often have a polished appearance. The polished appearance comes from the oil naturally occurring in the wood. The oil on the surface evaporates after a few days outdoors. It is the oil beneath the surface that gives the wood its durability. When teak furniture is allowed to age naturally outdoors, it takes on a beautiful silver-gray color. This process takes about 6 to 12 months, depending on the amount of UV light and rainfall the teak is exposed to. This graying process does not affect the integrity of the teak in any way. The aged character of teak suits any type of garden setting. It is popular with many because it is natural and virtually maintenance-free.
Teak wood is a natural material. Therefore, fine cracks may appear in the end grain of components and then disappear again as weather conditions change. Such fine cracks are normal, especially in heavier parts such as arms and legs. They do not affect the lifespan or durability of your outdoor teak furniture.

MAINTAINING THE ORIGINAL COLOR OF YOUR OUTDOOR TEAK FURNITURE


If you want to preserve the honey-brown color of your outdoor teak furniture, a sealant is recommended. Teak sealants are typically solvent-based and have a water-like viscosity; they contain protection against mold, UV light, and moisture. If you prefer a color other than the natural one, a variety of shades are available. Sealants are easy to apply and typically need to be reapplied every 9 to 12 months. If you decide to seal, we recommend visiting our online listings.

CLEANING TEAK FURNITURE
Teak requires very little maintenance, aside from occasional scrubbing. Accumulated dirt can be removed with a mild soap solution or a diluted mixture of soap and water. Rinse with clean water afterward. To remove grease stains, a light rubbing with a degreaser is recommended. Rinse with clean water afterward.
If you want to remove the silver-grey patina and restore the furniture's original colour, use a teak cleaner, which you can purchase from us.
Teak is a durable wood that can be used for both indoor and outdoor furniture. Proper care is essential to keep your teak furniture looking beautiful year after year. We recommend keeping your teak furniture clean and free of dirt. Washing it is easy to prevent dirt buildup and keep your furniture fresh and clean. We like to compare caring for teak furniture to caring for your car when it's parked outside: If you keep it clean and well-maintained, it will last longer.

 


How your teak should be cleaned:

What you need
Brush with medium to soft bristles (sponge is also fine)
Water supply (garden hose works best)
A gentle solution that does not damage the teak wood (we recommend our teak cleaner)
Dry cloth
Gloves (optional)
The 10 easy steps to cleaning your teak furniture
Remove all upholstery and anything non-teak, including leaves and other debris.
Rinse the furniture thoroughly with a hose on medium water. Do not use strong pressure, as this will damage the wood.
Mix a small amount of the solution with water in a bucket.
Dip the brush into the mixture and then gently begin scrubbing your furniture.
Start with a small area to ensure the solution does not damage the teak.
Scrub with the grain, not against it.
Make sure you scrub carefully between the cracks and in the corners.
Brush thoroughly, but not too hard to avoid damaging the wood.
After cleaning, rinse off the solution and let the wood dry.
Use a drying cloth or let it dry in the sun.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Always be sure to rinse the solution completely. Drying can take between 24 and 36 hours with natural drying. Never use aggressive, harsh, or two-part acid solutions, as these can compromise the integrity of the teak furniture. Any type of finishing product for teak furniture, such as a sealant or special coating, should be applied to clean, dry furniture.

HOW CAN I REMOVE RUST FROM MY GARDEN FURNITURE?

Cracks are completely normal in all types of wooden garden furniture, including teak. Some people don't mind a certain amount of cracking, while others prefer none at all. If you're in the latter group, you should wait at least three months for the furniture to settle before sealing the cracks. After three months, teak garden furniture is considered cured, and no further cracks should appear. Now you can fix the cracks in your garden furniture.
You will need: outdoor PVA glue and 180 grit sandpaper (you can also use 120 grit sandpaper).
Apply a few drops of glue to your finger.
Apply the adhesive to the tested area.
Wipe off any excess glue. Ideally, it should only be left behind during the inspection.
Wait until the glue becomes slightly tacky (about 15 seconds).
Sand the affected area until the sanding powder no longer penetrates the grooves and seals them. Sand the wood in the direction of the grain.



If your teak garden furniture is already as weathered as this one in the photo, you'll notice that sanding it will return to its typical golden brown color. However, over time, the sun will bleach it, making the repair invisible.