4 Steps on How to Keep Your Teak Outdoor Furniture in Best Shape

Teak outdoor furniture items are among the top choices of Australian homeowners because of their natural durability to endure extreme weather condition, not discounting the fact they are quite rare. As it is, teak furniture items have become a status symbol among homeowners because of their perceived rarity and durability. Common outdoor furniture items that could be made out of teak include benches, chairs, and tables. Teak contains natural oils that allow it to repel water and insects, which also naturally make it resistant to decay. Because of these reasons, it is not surprising that many homeowners with fairly large budget go for teak furniture for their patio, swimming pool area, and garden.

Since authentic teak furniture pieces are nowhere cheap, it is important to properly take care of them. While these furniture items are naturally durable, proper care is still very necessary. If you are having problems taking care of your expensive teak furniture items, the tips below may provide you with some help.

Read owner’s manual. If you teak furniture comes with an owner’s manual when you purchased it, it would be best to read it carefully first before cleaning the furniture. Read about the specific instructions on how to correct process of cleaning it.

Do light cleaning. Use a soft cloth or fabric and a solution of warm water containing few drops of mild dish detergent. Applying the soft fabric with said solution, you can wipe off obvious debris on the furniture. Keep an eye on corners and hard-to-reach areas of the furniture and make sure to wipe off debris left on it. This will help you wipe off dust and get rid of stains.

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Do thorough cleaning. If your teak outdoor furniture is due for a heavy duty cleaning, you may want to use Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP), a cleaning product used to get rid of mold and mildew on teak. Prepare a bucket, scrub brush, rubber gloves, and TSP solution. Using the scrub brush, gently scrub the wood for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how thorough you want the cleaning to be. After applying TSP solution, rinse the furniture with clean water.

Invest on teak oil. Teak oil is used to preserve the teak finish and makes the furniture less prone to collecting dirt, mold, and mildew for significant amount of time. Teak oils are largely available in home improvement stores. There are at least two common types of teak oils: linseed oil and tung oil. Linseed oil makes teak slightly darker compare to its original natural color. Meanwhile, tung oil makes the furniture keep its natural color tone and makes it more resistant to water. Tung oil is likewise more expensive than its linseed counterpart.

Apply teak oil. Applying oil on your teak outdoor furniture provides several benefits, including makes the furniture more water resistant and brings back its natural color tone. If you failed to properly take care of your teak furniture, it is recommended to apply more teak oil on it. You may apply teak oil on your furniture by using a paint brush. Brush the furniture using several coats. Allow the furniture to absorb the teak oil before applying another coat. It is suggested to wait for 24 hours before applying a new coat. When the wood is already saturated with oil, you may wipe off excess oil by using a clean cloth. This technique will make your teak furniture have a matte finish instead of shiny finish.

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Taking care of your teak furniture can be quite of a commitment since it requires more steps compared to cleaning ordinary wood furniture. It is important to regularly clean your teak furniture in order for them to last for decades.