There is a wealth of information available on how to care for teak. You can find much information on cleaning teak online, but be aware that not all of it is correct, and many of the suggested methods could harm your furniture. Teak furniture is a popular choice for outdoor living spaces, especially on patios.
The wood is beautiful and provides much visual interest to the patio and other parts of the house. Some people do nothing or are unsure of how to care for this beautiful wood properly. Mildew or discoloration can form if the area is not cleaned.
Before you begin, consider what you want to get out of your work. Is your furniture newer, and do you want to maintain the golden blonde color? Is it your intention to rejuvenate your faded grey teak? Are you attempting to keep it stain-free?
Maybe you’re planning a complete restoration to restore the aged teak to its former glory. Once you’ve figured out the answer, follow the steps outlined below.
Table of Contents
How Often Should You Clean The Teak Furniture?
You may clean your teak furniture once a year unless something spills on it. Decide whether you want your teak furniture to keep its original honey wood color or develop a natural soft silver-gray patina from exposure to the sun when you first buy it.
The grey is purely ornamental, and many people prefer teak furniture with a patina since it’s so easy to maintain. Some people choose to keep their teak furniture sealed and protected to keep the honey hue.
Cleaning your teak wood a few times a year is one of the best methods to keep it looking new, especially if you see a lot of water stains, mildew, and soap scum. You’ve come to the right site if you want to learn how to clean teak wood furniture without breaking the wallet or taking up too much of your time.
Clean The Furniture Regularly
Always begin cleaning at the bottom of your teak furniture and work your way up. This will help you avoid any streaks or abnormalities that the cleaning solution or the cleaning process may generate.
As the most prominent portion of your teak furniture, starting at the top may be enticing. However, starting here may harm or make your furniture uglier.
Protect The Teak With Protector
You’ll need to use a teak protector if you want the teak to keep its honey hue. It will preserve the wood from UV rays and prevent mildew growth. The teak protector acts as a barrier between the wood and the air, preventing oxidation and the greying of the wood.
These protectors will help shield the teak from oil stains caused by food and beverages. Teak furniture can be stained by oily foods, ketchup, and some beverages. Consider applying a protector if you plan to serve many meals on this furniture and are concerned about stains.
Vacuum The Furniture
Vacuum or wipe down your teak furniture with a dry microfiber towel. Giving your teak furniture a quick wipe down with soap and water once every few weeks is the best method to keep it clean and looking wonderful.
This type of care will avoid discoloration as well as the accumulation of filth and mildew. Simply wash off the surface with a sponge and some light liquid soap. To make the soap even cleaner, mix it with a little bleach or vinegar. You can also use a natural all-purpose cleanser instead of soap.
Wash Off The Soap
Be careful to properly rinse the soap off to avoid leaving any soap residue, leading to greater filth build-up over time. Use a garden hose to rinse the soap off your teak furniture if you’re washing it outside.
If you’re cleaning the teak furniture indoors, wipe away the soap residue with a moist towel. Ensure to rinse the cloth periodically. So, you don’t have to reapply the soapy water constantly. When you’ve finished rinsing the teak furniture, let it air dry.
Don’t Pressure Wash The Teak
Many surfaces can benefit from pressure washing, but your teak furniture should not be one of them. It may appear to be a straightforward solution, but it can wear down the teak wood’s surface over time, causing more harm. If the wood develops cracks, blasting high-velocity water into the cracks will cause the wood to deform over time.
Pressure washing can also destroy any protective finish that may have been applied to the teak wood, resulting in long-term harm.
Clean The Drink Spillages
Because teak furniture is inherently absorbent, wiping the spilled clean with kitchen towels or an absorbent cloth can help to remove as much as possible. Using this method, remove as much of the spillage as possible and dry it completely. What’s left of the spillage should be sanded away.
If you choose, you can use Teak Sealer Shield, which makes it impossible for wine, oil, butter, or coffee to soak into the teak, and then simply wipe your teak table with a wet cloth after meals to remove any ugly stains.
Final Verdict
Over the winter, you don’t need to bring your teak furniture indoors. If you decide to cover it, make sure it’s made of breathable material and stay away from plastic. Do not keep the teak furniture in a warm environment if you decide to put it away for the winter.
It’s natural for teak furniture to expand and compress with time and with changing weather conditions. Hopefully, this article has given you enough information to clean and maintain the teak furniture effortlessly. Now, it’s your turn to get ready your teak furniture for the next season!
