Caring for Teak Furniture
Teak is renowned for its exceptional durability, smooth surface, and weatherproof nature. In the days of tall sailing ships, it was the most desirable wood for boat construction; teak could always be relied upon to hold out the elements and stay strong against salt water, rotting and insects. If you've invested in quality teak furniture, you'll naturally want to keep it looking its finest throughout its long life. Fortunately, teak is easy to care for and will reward you with many years of beauty and usefulness.
For outdoor furniture:
- You should expect some cracks and splits to appear in the early life of your furniture, especially on the end grain, as the wood expands and contracts with the changing temperature and humidity. This is a natural part of the weathering process and will not affect the durability of the wood.
- If left untreated and exposed to natural sunlight, the furniture will gradually weather to a beautiful soft silvery grey. While this is a desirable effect, you can maintain the original warm tones of the wood by treating it with teak oil two to four times each year. Make sure you use a teak oil intended for outdoor wood.
- Before oiling the wood, you must always clean it thoroughly with a soft brush and warm soapy water. The wood must be dry before you apply the oil, or moisture will be trapped within the wood. Several minutes after applying the oil, wipe up any excess with a clean lint-free cloth.
- Teak oil will trap dirt and gradually darken over time; you'll need to scrub off the old oil and re-coat about once every year.
- You can also maintain the original look of the wood by applying a teak sealer once a year. This will mean fewer applications of teak oil throughout the year, and help prevent mildew and bacteria from blemishing the surface of the wood, though it does not extend the long-term life of your furniture.
Indoor teak requires very little maintenance; simply dust it, give it a light coat of teak oil, or treat it with a wax product such as Briwax. |
