How to care for teak outdoor furniture

What is teak wood?

Teak comes from a tree that grows in southern and south-eastern Asia. It is a highly sought-after wood and is most often used in outdoor furniture, carpentry and small tools. Teak has a natural reddish-brown colour that varies slightly depending on where the tree has grown. The wood is used partly for its naturally beautiful appearance, but perhaps most of all for the durable properties of the material, which makes it particularly suitable for outdoor furniture. Other properties of teak wood are:

• Resistant to weather and wind
• Resistant to rot
• Has a natural protection against fire

How to treat & clean outdoor teak furniture

Oil-treated teak furniture has a naturally reddish-brown hue, but teak furniture that is not treated with oil, rain, wind and sunshine will, over time, cause the wood to turn grey, so if you want to keep the reddish-brown shade, it is important to take proper care of your outdoor furniture. If you want the characteristic silver-grey shade that teak can take on, just let the weather take its toll, this process can take weeks or months.  How often you need to treat your teak furniture to retain its reddish-brown hue depends on the environment in which it is placed, whether it is sheltered under a roof or placed in an open area can make a difference to how quickly the material greys, but the most important thing is that you treat the wood before it becomes too dry and faded. Our top tips for caring for your teak outdoor furniture are as follows:

• Cleaning: Before starting the treatment, it is important to thoroughly clean your teak outdoor furniture. Use a brush and a small amount of mild detergent to remove dirt, dust and any mould growth. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water and let them dry completely before starting the next step.
• Sanding: If necessary, you can sand your teak outdoor furniture; if the furniture has become grey and worn, the surface may need to be sanded to restore the natural shine of the material. Use a fine sandpaper with a grain size of 180-220 and gently sand in the direction of the wood until the surface feels even and smooth.
• Oil selection: Choosing the right kind of oil is important for best results. Choose a high-quality teak oil designed for outdoor use that is UV-resistant and provides good protection against the elements.
• Application: For an even result, we recommend using a brush or cloth to apply the teak oil. Make sure to work in the direction of the wood and that all surfaces are properly oiled for complete protection.

• Allow to dry: After brushing on the oil, it is important to allow it to be properly absorbed into the wood according to the instructions provided with the teak oil. Drying time can vary, but expect to set the furniture aside for a couple of hours to a day.
• Repeat if necessary: To give your teak outdoor furniture an optimal protection, it may be necessary to apply several coats of teak oil, just make sure to let each coat dry properly before the next application.
• Regular cleaning: To prevent dirt and stains from building up on the surface, it is important to clean your teak outdoor furniture regularly, using the same method with mild detergent and water along with a soft brush.
• Repeat application of oil: As the weather will gradually break down the teak oil, it is important to maintain the protection so that your outdoor furniture retains its appearance. We recommend that you oil your teak outdoor furniture at least once a year or as needed.
• Use a protective cover: Another way to keep your teak outdoor furniture protected when not in use is to cover it with some form of protective cover, for example during the winter. This will help to keep them protected from extreme weather and thus extend the life of the furniture.

By following our step-by-step guide on how to clean teak outdoor furniture, you will ensure that it remains both beautiful and durable for years to come, whether you choose to keep the reddish-brown shade or welcome the silver-grey patina.

Photos: Elof Martinsson