March 2021 – Teak is a wonderful, durable hardwood that requires hardly any care and maintenance to retain its good looks and integrity.

With just a little care, you can maintain your teak furniture for decades. Its impermeability, resistance to warping and rot, and timeless beauty make it an attractive material for outdoor furniture.

To care for your teak outdoor furniture, here are a few simple tips to follow.

If you own or are planning to buy teak furniture, determine your preference between the golden honey-colored natural teak and the weathered silvery grey teak. This latter occurs with gradual weathering over several months or years of exposure to direct sunlight. Many homeowners like the silvery grey look of weathered teak.
Routine Cleaning
Clean your outdoor teak furniture once a year with a soft-bristled brush and soapy water to remove accumulated dirt. If there are any tough stains or mildew, add 1-part household bleach to 2-parts water and create a solution. Wash the furniture with this and rinse well with clean water and allow the furniture to dry. For tougher stains, buy a good quality teak cleaning product. Do not use a pressure washer or steel wool.
Cleaning Weathered Teak
If you want to allow your teak furniture weather to a silvery grey, you don’t need to do much. Within 6 to 12 months of leaving your teak furniture outdoors in the sunlight, it will begin to develop a grey patina. Some people try to hasten the weathering process with a patinizer but if you simply leave the furniture outdoors, it will develop the most fascinating silver patina.
Preserving Natural Teak
If you want your teak furniture to maintain the honey-golden color, place it under an awning or shade away from direct sunlight. As the weathering begins, sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to remove the outer grey layer and reveal the golden shade again. Apply a teak protector to maintain the natural finish for longer.

While teak is highly durable, it is still a good idea to protect the teak from stains like wine, grease, or oils from food, salad dressing, and butter, so that you can enjoy your outdoor teak furniture for longer.

Some people try to preserve the original teak finish with teak oil, it is not necessary. Rather clean and occasionally sand with fine-grit sandpaper to maintain your preferred finish. With simple teak furniture care, your outdoor teak furniture will last a long time. It is not uncommon for outdoor teak pieces to last decades with minimal care and maintenance.

If you are looking for the best outdoor teak wood furniture online, such as Anderson Teak Furniture, check out Tuff Hut.