Teak furniture, especially for outdoor use, is known for its natural beauty and durability. However, while teak itself is highly resistant to corrosion and insects, some additional protection is required to keep your teak furniture in optimal condition when exposed to the elements outdoors.
Here are 9 tips to help you better protect and maintain your teak outdoor furniture so that it lasts and remains beautiful.
9 Tips for Protecting Teak Outdoor Furniture
1. Clean teak regularly
2. Use teak sealant for long-lasting protection
3. Cover when not in use
4. Keep dry
5. Don’t use a pressure washer on teak patio furniture
6. Use a sander to lightly sand
7. Don’t use teak oil
8. Take quick action on spills and stains
9. Indoor storage during off-season
Clean Teak Regularly
Keeping teak furniture clean is the first step to maintaining its beauty and durability. You can mix some mild dish soap with warm water and gently wipe the furniture surface. Use a soft cloth or soft brush to avoid scratching the wood surface. Regular cleaning prevents the accumulation of dust, dirt, and other impurities and maintains the natural luster of teak.
How to do it:
1. Prepare the cleaning solution: Add a few drops of mild dish soap to a bucket of warm water.
2. Use a soft brush or sponge: Dip the brush or sponge into the cleaning solution and gently wipe the furniture surface.
3. Rinse clean: Rinse the furniture with clean water and make sure there is no residual dish soap.
4. Drying: Dry the furniture with a clean soft cloth or let it air dry naturally.
Cleaning tips:
● Avoid using strong cleaners or products containing bleaching ingredients, which may damage the surface of the wood.
● Cleaning at least once a quarter can keep the furniture beautiful and hygienic.
Just like you wash your car regularly, giving your teak furniture a "bubble bath" is essential. After all, who doesn’t like clean furniture?
Use Teak Sealant for Long-Lasting Protection
There is some debate about whether to use teak sealant. Some believe that sealing teak provides additional protection from rain and sunlight. Sealer can help maintain the original color of teak and prevent it from turning gray. If you decide to use a sealer, make sure to choose a product designed for teak and follow the instructions for application.
How to seal:
1. Choose the right sealant: There are sealants specifically for teak on the market, choose those that are breathable and waterproof.
2. Clean your furniture: Make sure your furniture is clean and dry before sealing.
3. Apply sealant: Apply sealant evenly with a brush or sprayer, making sure to cover every corner.
4. Wait for drying: It usually takes 24 hours to dry completely, follow the product instructions.
Sealing tips:
● The sealant can be applied once a year and does not need to be too frequent.
● Be careful to choose colorless and transparent sealant to avoid affecting the natural beauty of teak wood.
Apply a "protective cover" to your teak furniture, just like you would a cell phone screen protector. While it's not necessarily necessary, it's always good to have an extra layer of protection.
Cover When Not in Use
When you are not using teak furniture, it is best to cover it with a waterproof cover. Covering prevents furniture from being exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as strong sunlight and heavy rain. Choose a breathable waterproof cover to avoid moisture build-up and better protect your teak furniture.
Cover with what?
Choose furniture covers that are waterproof and UV-resistant for complete protection.
Benefits of masking:
1. Prevent sunlight: Ultraviolet rays can cause wood to fade and crack, and the protective cover can effectively block ultraviolet rays.
2. Prevent rain: Even if teak has good waterproof performance, long-term exposure to rain will affect its service life.
3. Dust-proof: Dust not only affects the appearance, but also scratches the wood surface during cleaning.
Covering Tips:
● Ensure furniture is covered when completely dry to prevent moisture.
● Check the condition of the protective cover regularly and replace damaged parts promptly.
Dress your teak furniture in "rain jackets" so they stay dry on rainy days. And, your furniture will thank you for taking good care of it.
Keep Dry
Although teak itself is highly resistant to water, prolonged exposure to moisture may still cause the wood to warp or become damaged. Try to avoid placing teak furniture in low-lying areas where water may accumulate, or being exposed to rain for extended periods of time. If the furniture gets wet, dry it immediately and place it in a dry and ventilated place.
How to avoid getting caught in the rain?
1. Location selection: Try to place the furniture in a sheltered place, such as a balcony or a roofed courtyard.
2. Avoid low-lying areas: Do not place furniture in areas prone to water accumulation. Try to choose a higher location.
Drying tips:
● If the furniture accidentally gets wet, dry it with a dry cloth as soon as possible and place it in a ventilated place to dry.
● In rainy season or humid weather, you can use a dehumidifier to keep the air dry.
Just like you don't want to wear wet shoes, your teak furniture doesn't like being in water. Keep them dry and they will thank you.
Don’t Use a Pressure Washer on Teak Patio Furniture
Although a pressure washer is convenient and quick, the strong water flow can damage the surface of teak furniture, causing the wood fibers to loosen and peel. To protect your teak furniture, it's best to clean it by hand using a soft cloth or soft brush, which will remove dirt and dust more gently.
Why is it not recommended to use a pressure washer?
1. Damage the wood surface: High-pressure water flow will destroy the fiber structure of the wood, resulting in a rough surface.
2. Moisture penetration: High-pressure water flow may cause moisture to penetrate deep into the wood, increasing the risk of cracking and deformation.
Cleaning tips:
● Manual cleaning using a soft brush and mild detergent is time-consuming but effective in protecting the wood.
● If you must use a pressure washer, be sure to turn the water pressure to the lowest setting and keep a certain distance.
Using a pressure washer to clean teak furniture is like using a chainsaw to cut bread. Not only is it ineffective, it may also be counterproductive.
Use a Sander to Lightly Sand
If your teak furniture has rough spots or stubborn stains on the surface, you can use a sander to lightly sand it. Choose fine sandpaper and lightly sand the damaged area until the surface is smooth. After sanding, a new coat of sealer can be applied to restore its original protective layer.
How to polish?
1. Choose the right sandpaper: Use fine sandpaper (such as 120-220 grit) and avoid using coarse sandpaper.
2. Sand lightly: Sand lightly along the direction of the wood grain, avoiding excessive force.
3. Clean the surface: After sanding, wipe away sawdust and dust with a clean cloth.
Tips for sanding:
● After sanding, you can apply a layer of protective oil or sealant to increase the protective layer of the wood.
● The frequency of polishing should not be too high, once a year is enough.
Give your teak furniture a "skin" spa treatment to make them shine again. Just like we need to exfoliate occasionally, furniture also needs to be "beautified"!
Don’t Use Teak Oil
While teak oil may seem like a good idea, in reality, it does little to protect teak furniture. Teak oil can make the wood surface greasy, attract dust and dirt, and require frequent reapplication. Long-term use of teak oil may cause discoloration and aging of the wood.
Why is teak oil not recommended?
1. Increase dust adsorption: Teak oil easily absorbs dust, causing the surface to become dirty.
2. Affect wood respiration: Teak oil will close the pores of wood and affect its natural respiration.
3. Maintenance trouble: Frequent re-applying is required, increasing maintenance costs and trouble.
Oil Tips:
● If you need to increase the gloss, you can choose special teak wood protectants. These products will not affect the natural breathing of the wood.
● Avoid using products containing wax or grease, which will make maintenance more difficult.
Just like you wouldn't pour a whole bottle of oil on your salad, don't over-oil your teak furniture. Appropriate maintenance is the way to go!
Take Quick Action on Spills and Stains
Whether it is food, drink or other liquids, any spills on teak furniture must be dealt with immediately. Use mild dish soap and warm water and gently wipe the affected area. The longer it takes, the harder it is to remove stains, so prompt cleaning is the key to keeping your furniture looking good.
How to deal with spills and stains?
1. Wipe up immediately: Wipe up spills immediately with a clean, soft cloth to prevent liquid from seeping into the wood.
2. Gentle cleaning: If stains remain, clean them with mild dish soap and warm water.
3. Drying: After cleaning, make sure the furniture is completely dry to avoid residual moisture.
Cleaning tips:
● Keep cleaning tools and a soft cloth on hand to quickly deal with spills.
● Check the furniture regularly and clean up small stains promptly to avoid accumulation of stubborn stains that are difficult to remove.
Just like you don't want a coffee stain to linger on a white shirt for too long, stains on teak furniture should be treated quickly. In this way, your furniture can keep a "clean face"!
Indoor Storage During Off-Season
Storing teak furniture indoors during less-used seasons, such as winter or the rainy season, can extend its lifespan. Choose a dry, well-ventilated area to store furniture, away from moisture and extreme temperature changes. If there is not enough indoor storage space, you can use waterproof covers for protection, but you still need to check the condition of the furniture regularly.
How to store?
1. Clean and Dry: Before storing, make sure the furniture is thoroughly cleaned and completely dry.
2. Cover and protect: Cover the furniture with a cloth cover or plastic film to prevent dust and moisture.
3. Ventilated storage: Store in a dry, well-ventilated indoor environment to avoid moisture and mildew.
Storage tips:
● Before storage, check the furniture for damage and repair minor problems promptly to avoid aggravation during storage.
● Avoid placing heavy objects on the furniture during storage to prevent deformation and damage.
Just like you don't want to wear sandals in the winter, your teak furniture doesn't like being "frozen" in cold and wet conditions. Keep them in a warm place and they will last longer.
With these 9 tips, you can effectively protect your teak outdoor furniture and keep them looking their best in outdoor environments. Regular cleaning, proper covering, protection from moisture and sun, avoiding high-pressure cleaning, gentle sanding, proper use of sealants, not using teak oil, timely treatment of stains, and off-season storage are all keys to keeping teak furniture beautiful and durable.
Hopefully these tips will help you better maintain your teak furniture so that they can continue to add beauty and comfort to your outdoor space for many years to come.