Teak is one of the most beautiful and valuable woods in the world. Furniture made from this wood is not only durable but also complements almost any style due to its natural look. And the best part? Teak furniture is also quite easy to care for.

Step 1: How to clean teak?

For anything kept outdoors, it's inevitable that you'll eventually need to use water and other cleaning agents to remove pollen, bird droppings, and the like. Just as you'd take your car to the car wash.

Generally, a stiff brush and mild soapy water are sufficient for cleaning if you follow these tips:

1. Use a stiff brush and mild soapy water. A household sponge can also be used to remove light dirt.
2. Always brush in the direction of the grain.
3. Rinse the furniture thoroughly with clear water after cleaning.

Important: Never use a high-pressure cleaner to clean teak furniture!

Step 2: How to care for teak furniture?

To maintain the golden-brown color permanently, teak furniture should be treated with teak oil approximately once or twice a year. The best time to do this is once at the beginning of the garden season in spring and once in autumn before the garden goes into hibernation.

To ensure that the color of the chosen oil meets your expectations, you should first test it on an inconspicuous area, for example, on the back of a leg.

Instructions for using the respective oil can be found on the can or bottle. However, the following should generally be observed:

1. Clean the furniture thoroughly and let it dry.
2. If the cleaned wood feels rough, lightly sand it.
3. Cover the working area well before you begin.
4. Apply the oil or sealer evenly and thinly with a lint-free cloth, or according to the instructions.
5. Allow the furniture to dry thoroughly after applying the oil.

Important: The teak must be 100% dry and dust-free before you start!

Step 3: How to protect teak furniture?

To make teak furniture resistant to water and dirt, a glaze, such as Teak Patina Shield from Traditional Teak, can be applied in addition to cleaning and care. The transparent glaze not only prevents food (coffee, ketchup, red wine, oil, etc.) from immediately penetrating the teak and causing stains but also protects the wood from moisture and the appearance of green algae.

This product is also very suitable for lovers of the silver-gray patina, as it also protects it.

The application is similar to that of teak oil, although you should always pay attention to the individual application instructions for the product. For Traditional Teak's glaze, the following steps should be followed:

1. Clean the furniture thoroughly and let it dry. Before using the product, it must be 100% dry and dust-free.
2. Cover the working area well before you begin.
3. Apply the glaze evenly and thinly with a lint-free cloth, then let the furniture dry for one hour. Afterward, apply a second thin coat.
4. Allow the furniture to dry for at least 48 hours before exposing it to moisture again.

Important: If you are applying PatinaShield to new teak, let the furniture sit outdoors for a week beforehand.

Tips and Tricks from our Manufacturers and Customers

1. Tip against wasp damage:

Anti-Wasp by Barlow Tyrie

Barlow Tyrie's Anti-Wasp contains a vanilla essence that harmlessly deters wasps from using the cellulose from the teak furniture's wood for nest building.

2. Tip to turn gray furniture back into golden-brown furniture:

There are special cleaners, such as " Teak Cleaner and Brightener " from Traditional Teak, to remove patina from furniture. Depending on how strong the patina is, this requires some patience and elbow grease when scrubbing, but the effort is worth it.

3. Tip for working with cleaners and teak oils:

No matter which cleaning agent or teak oil you choose, always wear gloves when working.

Always test the cleaning agent or teak oil on a small, hidden area of the furniture before treating the entire piece.

4. Tip for cleaning with high-pressure cleaners:

Never use a high-pressure cleaner to clean wooden furniture! Teak is a natural product and breathes. The force of the high-pressure cleaner damages the wood grain, and small cracks can form. This allows dirt and water to remain in the wood longer, accelerating the aging process of the furniture.

ALL OUR TEAK FURNITURE CARE PRODUCTS CAN BE FOUND HERE.