How to Properly Treat & Cleaning Teak Furniture

Buying new furniture is a vital investment, especially for outdoor furniture. In fact, many homeowners expect their outdoor furniture is able to last for a long time. Wood is one of the most common materials for furniture. Not only that it is versatile, but they also have high durability. However, only hardwood will make great furniture for your garden as they have natural strength and high density.

While there are many types of hardwood used for garden furniture, teak remains the most ideal one. In addition to its natural beauty, teak is very durable that it can withstand any harsh elements. Its easy maintenance becomes another reason why many people opt for this hardwood. Even so, it’s imperative to know the basic knowledge of this wood so that you know the right way to thoroughly clean teak furniture.

How to Care & Cleaning Teak Furniture

What Makes Teak Wood So Special?

Unlike other hardwood, teak has its own natural oil that makes it the perfect material for furniture. The oils make the wood resistant to water; thus, each of outdoor teak furniture can last for decades without any specific protection. In addition to that, the oils make the teak furniture impervious to insects.

How to Properly Clean Teak Furniture

While teak furniture doesn’t require any specific care, you should know the right method to thoroughly cleaning teak furniture so that they can last for decades.

1. You simply need to prepare water and a smooth sponge to clean the teak furniture. If you plan to rinse the product with a hose, make sure to not use a high-pressure setting as it will damage the material.
2. Gently scrub the furniture with a wet sponge. Thoroughly clean the grain, especially in the edges and between the cracks.
3. Carefully brush the wood to prevent any damage to the material.
4. Using a hose, rinse the furniture and thoroughly dry the water using a clean, dry cloth. Let the teak furniture naturally dried under the sunlight.

Aging Process of Teak Wood

Brown and honey are the natural colors of teak wood. New teak furniture will also come in these colors. However, their natural color will gradually start to fade to a grey since they are usually being put outside homes. It’s a very common process and won’t affect the durability of the teak product.

Step-by-Step to Preserve the Natural Color of Teak Product

Two ways to maintain the natural color of teak furniture: clean the furniture using a teak cleaning product and use a sealing product to protect the furniture.

How to Use Teak Cleaner

1. Thoroughly clean the stain using clean water and gently scrub it with a soft brush.
2. Carefully scrub the cracks and the corner areas to remove the stubborn dirt within the wood fibers.
3. Apply the teak cleaning product all over the surface and gently rub it with a clean, soft cloth.

How to Use Teak Sealer

1. After finished cleaning the teak furniture, let it dry under the sunlight for around two weeks before applying the teak sealer product. This process will open the wood grain.
2. To apply the sealer, you simply need to quickly spray it all over the furniture and rub it gently with a soft cloth.

The sealer will help preserve the natural color of teak furniture and make the original state appear again. It will also protect the furniture from direct sunlight. Consider applying the sealer one to two times per year to make sure that the product can last longer.

Do You Need to Oil Teak Outdoor Furniture?

Generally, teak furniture doesn’t require any oiling product as it already has natural oils. The majority of items marketed as teak oils are actually made of flaxseed oil. Many believe it will bring out the rich color in furniture. Instead, it will remove the natural oils from the teak furniture and induce mold and fungus growth.

Paint and varnish should also be avoided as teak wood doesn’t take the two products well, leading to adhesion issues. It’s oily hardwood, so it would be best to leave it the way it is or using a sealer product to protect its natural state.  

How to Clean Stains on Teak Furniture

You can simply use soapy water and a soft brush to clean fresh liquid stains on the teak product. However, you will require a teak cleaning product to get rid of stubborn stains from your furniture. As mentioned earlier, never use a hose with a high-pressure setting to rinse the teak product. Also, make sure to not use a hard-bristle brush as it will make the surface rough. After cleaning the hard-to-remove stains, use grade sandpaper to make the furniture look smooth, just like a new piece.

Caring for Teak Product during Winter

Outdoor furniture made of teak wood is, of course, used to be placed outside of the houses. For homeowners who live in four-season countries, they definitely have another concern regarding taking care of the outdoor teak product. While teak wood is widely known for its durability, they still have a high humidity level. Though you can leave the furniture outside throughout the winter, it would be best to cover or move them inside but do not put them in a heated area as it will lead to cracks.

Bottom Line (Summary)

Here is what you should do and shouldn’t do in taking care of teak furniture:

Dos:

1. Frequently clean the furniture using clean water and a soft, dry cloth. Also, do not avoid scrubbing the grains during the cleaning process.
2. Use a teak sealer product to preserve the natural color of the furniture every 7 to 8 months.
3. Protect the furniture during the winter or harsh weather.

Don’ts:

1. Use the manufactured oil products, and paint the furniture.
2. Use a hard-bristle brush to clean the teak furniture.
3. Use cleaning products made of harsh chemicals.

Though the price of teak furniture is a bit higher than other products, it will definitely make an excellent investment, more importantly if you know how to properly take care of teak outdoor furniture. By applying the right maintenance method, you will be able to preserve the classic beauty of teak furniture many years ahead.