Caring for Your Teak Furniture

Teak is very sturdy and durable. It is long lasting andto put the first part of the teak cleaner on then scrub
will hold its quality appearance for years. Teak can bethe area with a hard brush. You should be careful not
left outside all year long as it has natural protectantsto get the acid on your body or in your eyes. It is a
against the elements. Caring for your teak furniture isgood idea to use gloves while working with it. The
very simple, giving you more time to spend enjoyingsecond part of the cleaner works to neutralize the first
sitting outdoors on it. Teak furniture has a natural colorpart. Paint it on the same way on top of the first part
that is silverish gray. You will never have to add oil,of the cleaner. Scrub the area again and rinse with
stain, or paint to your teak furniture. You can choosewarm water.
to oil it if you prefer the original yellowish brown colorIf that doesn't work you may need to carefully sand
of the teak wood.the area to remove the stain. Some people like to use
Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate on youra brighter on their teak furniture. It isn't necessary but it
teak furniture. This will happen more often if you live inalso won't compromise the strength or beauty of your
a windy area. The best way to remove the dirt andteak furniture. Many people choose to oil their teak
debris from your teak furniture is to use a mild soapfurniture to give it a light yellowish glow. If you choose
and water. Avoid using a pressure washer on yourto oil your teak, make sure you use either linseed or
teak furniture. This can remove the natural oils of thetung oil. You should apply oil to teak only with a
wood resulting in splintering and surface damage.paintbrush. You will want to put at least two coats of
If you get something on your teak furniture thatoil on.
wonít come off with soap and water you mayYou can also choose to use a teak sealer, but again it
need to try a mixture of liquid laundry detergent andis not necessary. This can seal out more moisture and
chlorine bleach. You want three parts detergent to onedirt than the wood already does on its own. Many boat
part of bleach. Let this mixture sit on the teak furnitureowners choose to use a teak sealer to reduce the
for a few minutes then rise off with warm water. Youtime they spend cleaning their deck and other areas of
may need to purchase a teak furniture cleaner withthe boat that are made from teak. For best results
oxalic acid for those very difficult stains. After it hasapply a sealer after thoroughly cleaning the teak. You
sat for a while gently scrub the area with a scrubbingshouldn't seal your teak more than twice a year.
pad or bronze wool. Donít use steel wool onTaking care of your teak furniture is quite simple. You
your teak furniture or it will forever be freckled.can choose to let it take care of itself with an
There are two part teak cleaners available but youoccasional quick cleaning or you can add oils and
should only use them as a last resort when everythingsealers to suit you. Teak holds up well to time and the
else has failed. They are effective but they contain aelements so the choice is yours.
very strong hydrochloric acid. Use a nylon paint brush