You can apply a teak sealer to the wood, which will prevent the surface from quickly oxidizing. The heat can dry out the wood and cause it to crack or splinter. Using a spray bottle, we’ll evenly spray the part 1 cleaner over the surface of the wood. The job of cleaning is best tackled when the furniture is very wet – preferably after a night’s rain. The tropical hardwood known as shorea is similar to teak or ipe wood. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. This wood, beginning from South Asia, can be highly immune to the ingredients. Varnish chips and flakes on the wood require sanding to remove. You will get the most impressive results on old, dirty teak wood by using a 2-part cleaner and brightener combination. Do you want your teak furniture to stay its original honey wood color or do you want the natural soft silver-gray patina that comes from exposure to the sun? If the wood was looking dirty gray and splotchy before, now it should look a clear and even sandy or light gold color. Allow it to completely dry. If teak furniture is not routinely cleaned a fine layer of mildew can build up on the surfaces and specifically in the joints. If you plan to serve a lot of meals on this furniture and the stains will bother you, consider using a protector. She writes about housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications. A deep cleaning will reverse the process for the moment and restore some of the wood’s golden hue that it had when it was fresh. If the furniture is new, let it stay outside to weather for one to two weeks. The furniture can be left out year-round without impacting the integrity of the wood. If the damage is significant, often a light sanding may be required to fully restore the piece. According to the teak masters at Dane Decor, teak is durable, easy to clean and naturally stain resistant. You’ll want to wear rubber gloves the entire time that you are working with the teak cleaner and brightener in order to protect your hands from sensitivity to the chemicals. So, you should go for natural alternatives. Use a soft no-metal brush to remove any food, mildew, stains or environmental droppings with a mild soapy solution. Outdoor wood furniture requires regular maintenance, and cleaning is only the first step. Teak is well known as a very low maintenance wood, but it’s still important that cleaning teak furniture is done the right way. Outdoor teak furniture is highly susceptible to mold and mildew growth. Allow 24 hours for the furniture to completely dry before using it. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. This elegant wood requires only light maintenance and is an extremely easy wood to care for. Teak used for furniture is specially treated and should be given extra care when cleaning to prevent damaging. We have had our set for almost 10 years, so I thought I’d share my methods for cleaning and sealing teak furniture. Our 12-step process along with a deep, long lasting clean, restores and maintains these woods. Its color determination turns to a beautiful color of grey if not handled. Because outdoor teak furniture is typically kept outside year round, it is often exposed to cold, damp conditions which are highly conducive to mildew growth. Grade A teak furniture also requires very little maintenance. This is the best way to preserve golden colored teak furniture between deep cleanings. Teak furniture is very easy to maintain. We use cookies for the best experience. Others prefer to continually seal and protect their teak furniture to maintain the original honey color. After cleaning your teak wood furniture, you should see a huge difference. But, it has to be washed periodically to maintain its beauty. Oil, varnish, and water sealers aren't recommended or necessary for teak wood furniture. For our readers in the US and other countries, the 2-part Semco Teak Cleaner and Brightener will do the same job. The qualities which make teak so attractive to ship builders - its impermeability, resistance to splitting and rot and natural beauty— make it equally attractive as a material for outdoor furniture. Wait four to five hours and then use your furniture. If you continue to use the site we assume you're OK with it. Rinse generously with clean water and dry with a clean cloth. The teak protector creates a barrier between the wood and the air, preventing oxidation, which causes the wood to turn grey. When you first purchase your teak furniture, decide if you want it to maintain its original honey wood colored finish or whether you want a natural soft silver-gray patina that comes from exposure to the sun. Step 2: Cleaning. Give your weathered patio furniture a new life with this teak table renewal project. Semco Teak Sealer is recommended for this purpose. Teak patio furniture and decks may accumulate more than everyday dirt, such as leaves, twigs, and loose debris. If you do want to cover it, make sure to use a material that breathes and avoid plastic covers. Teak furniture is ideal for outdoor patios, porches and backyards, as its oily quality makes it impervious to water, mildew and wood-eating insects. Should You Treat Teak Patio Furniture With Teak Oil? The decision you make will impact how you care for the furniture. You’ll learn how to properly maintain your teak wood without damaging it. It’s better to stay out of direct sunlight while cleaning so that the wood doesn’t get dry while the cleaners are being applied. It’s no secret that teak wood is one of the best materials for the bathroom and outdoor furniture. You don’t want to use one of those high-pressure hoses as that can be damaging to the wood. This is the best option when you desire a deep clean for your teak patio furniture to remove all dirt and grime, and brighten it up from a state of neglect. Each spring, check the joints of the furniture and tighten anything loose. How to Oil Teak Furniture The best way to clean your teak furniture is to scrub it down with a solution of soapy water and a splash of either white vinegar or bleach.