You need to know how to care for teak outdoor furniture when you have one at home, besides knowing how to clean it up correctly. When it comes to teak, we are talking about a dense, tough, and solid hardwood with unmatched strength, resilience, durability, and also beauty. Whereas most people believe that teak furniture is best placed indoors, you can do it outdoors – if you know how to care for and maintain it properly.
After all, there are tons of benefits you can get from teak. It will get better (and more beautiful) with age. You won’t have to use any preservatives or paint to maintain its look. Your teak will have an elegant timeless appearance that you won’t find from other wood. And in general, you won’t have to worry about leaving your teak furniture outdoors in any kind of weather. It’s able to stand against sunlight, frost, snow, or rain just fine. The question is: how do you care for it, in the right way?
The General (and Standard) Rules
These are the standard and general rules about how to care for teak outdoor furniture:
- Clean it. Do it twice within a year, at least. You should do it once in the fall and then another one in the spring. If you can do it more than twice, it’s great. But twice should be enough to maintain its look and condition. What should you do with the rest (of the time)? Just dust it off with a soft and gentle cloth.
- You don’t need any teak oil if you want to place it outdoors. You see, teak wood has a natural oil that can help it fight against mildew, insects, rot, and water. You only need to oil the furniture when you want to place it indoors as the oil will create a polished look. However, once your teak furniture has looked worn and old (and gray), you can use the oil to restore its condition. But you should consult a professional expert on this.
- If you are going to wash the furniture, use mild soap or teak cleaner (but the safe one with natural contents). Avoid using the ones with harsh chemicals. Simply clean it off thoroughly with soft cloth and a hose. NEVER use any pressure washer as it will strip the oil away and damage your furniture.
Also read: The Benefits of Teak Outdoor Furniture
Restoring Its Original Condition
When your teak furniture has turned worn and gray, you need to re-treat it so it will return to its peak condition. The task can be harder when you find black spots. You need to mix up a solution to deal with the issue. Mix 10 parts of water with a part of bleach and use it to remove the black spots. Then, rinse it thoroughly with clean water. Let the furniture dry out naturally.
But if you are only dealing with regular restoration, you need to clean it off by using warm (and soapy) water and a scrubbing brush. Once the furniture dries off, sand it lightly. Make sure to follow the grain’s direction. Do it for the weathered areas and just leave it to dry.
Also read: 5 Expert Tips to Choose Outdoor Furniture Cushions: Some Factors to Think About Thoroughly
Feel free to cover your furniture while making sure that it still gets nice airflow and ventilation. In the end, when you know how to care for teak outdoor furniture correctly, you can be sure that it stays on top condition without you having to spend a fortune.
