3 Ways to Properly Care for Your Outdoor Teak Furniture

One of the key things to think about when looking for furniture for your outdoor living space is the choice of material. For most people, wood is oftentimes the preferable choice because of its natural look and durability. While there are multiple species of wood to choose from, teak is usually a popular option because it is extremely durable and holds up well to the outdoor conditions. However, proper care is still crucial for the furniture to last that long. For this reason, here are a few practical ways to care for your outdoor teak furniture properly.

Cleaning

Cleaning is one of the most basic tasks you can do in terms of maintaining your outdoor teak furniture because it helps prevent the build-up of mould and mildew and reduces chances of discolouration. However, doing it incorrectly can easily damage the furniture. First, use mild cleaning solutions, such as a solution of water and mild soap. Vinegar can also work. When handling tough stains, it's always recommended to start with the least concentrated cleaning solution. If it doesn't work, you can then use something that is a little bit more concentrated. The kind of brush you use is also important. Avoid metallic brushes that can easily scratch the wood and damage it. Soft plastic brushes will do the trick. When scrubbing, do it along the grains and remember to be gentle.

Sanding

Over time, the original golden colour of your outdoor teak furniture will start fading into a silvery-grey patina through a weathering process. This is usually not a defect. In fact, some homeowners prefer this silvery-grey look that is equally distinctive in appearance. However, if you would like to maintain the golden colour of the furniture, then sanding would be a good choice. You only need light sanding with sandpaper to restore the golden colour of your outdoor teak furniture. Sanding also helps remove stains and any mould or mildew build-up.

Sealing and Oiling

If you don't wish for the silver-grey colour to reappear on your outdoor teak furniture, you can either seal it or oil it. Sealing is oftentimes the better idea. These specialty teak sealers will also serve to protect the wood from the sun's UV rays and prevent the growth of mould and mildew. It is usually not recommended to use teak oils from various retailers. This is because first, natural teak produces its own oils, so adding factory-manufactured oils onto the wood can interfere with its natural oiling process. Besides, most teak oils manufactured in factories don't usually contain the natural oil from teak. Instead, they have linseed oils and other solvents, which may not preserve the colour for as long as natural oils would. This simply means it won't be long before you have to oil the teak furniture again.