How to Clean Teak Furniture Like a Pro

Teak furniture can be a stunning and durable addition to any home. And if you take care of it, it can last you years. But dirt, stains, and grime can build up on teak furniture because of the weather and use, making it look old and dirty.

Luckily for you, you don’t need to be an expert to learn how to clean teak furniture. That’s because we’re here. With the right cleaning methods and products, you can easily get your teak furniture back to its original state.

When looking for cleaning products for teak furniture, it's crucial to find ones that are safe for wood. Some cleaning solutions can warp the wood and make it lose its natural color and feel.

By following a few easy steps and using the right cleaning products, you can get tour teak furniture looking as good as new. And we've got you covered.

In this article, we'll go through you everything you need to know about cleaning teak furniture. With our help, you'll be enjoying your furniture for years to come.

What this article covers:

• Why Clean Teak Furniture?
• Steps for Cleaning Teak Furniture
• Maintenance Tips for Teak Furniture

Why Clean Teak Furniture?

Benefits of Cleaning Teak Furniture

Keeping teak furniture clean is important for many reasons. Here are just some of the benefits:

• Cleaning off the dirt, stains, and grime that builds up over time: The surface of teak furniture can get dirty, stained, and grimy over time, so it's important to clean it often. These small bits can make your furniture look old and dirty. Getting rid of them is an easy way to keep your teak furniture looking good.

• Restoring the natural color and texture of the furniture: If your furniture has discolored or lost its texture, cleaning it can help restore them.

• Making the furniture look better and like it's brand new: Getting rid of the dirt, stains, and grime that make teak furniture look old and worn can help make it look as good as new.

• Avoiding wood rot: Mold, mildew, and other harmful organisms can grow on teak furniture, which can break down the wood over time. By cleaning your furniture often, you can stop these organisms from growing and avoid wood rot.

• Making sure your furniture lasts a long time: Regular maintenance will keep the wood from breaking down, and keep your furniture in good condition for a lot longer.

Overall, you'll need to clean your teak furniture regularly to maintain its natural beauty and durability.

The Effects of Weathering & Neglect on Teak Furniture

Over time, weathering and neglect can discolor the wood and affect its appearance.

Things like sun, rain, wind, dirt, and grime can affect it. They can even break down the wood on your furniture and weaken it. 

Which we know you want to avoid. So, be sure to do regular cleaning and maintenance on your wooden furniture pieces.

How Cleaning Teak Furniture Helps Maintain Its Natural Beauty and Durability

By cleaning and maintaining teak furniture regularly, you can make sure that it continues to look good. Using the right tools and products will break down any built-up grime or mold and get it looking new again.

If you clean your furniture often, you'll also be able to avoid needing to use harsh chemicals. This isn’t just good for your furniture. It’s also great for the environment because you end up using fewer chemicals that aren’t environmentally-friendly

Regular maintenance also means that even if you’re cleaning old wooden furniture, you can still get it looking like new.

Steps for Cleaning Teak Furniture

Preparation

Make sure you have everything you need to clean your teak furniture before you start. You will need:

• A soft-bristled brush
• A  bucket of warm water
• A wood cleaning solution

Don't use harsh chemicals or abrasives because they can damage the wood or strip its natural oils. You also should avoid pressure washing your teak wood furniture because the high pressure can damage the wood.

You might not know this, but there are also various different types of teak furniture. And before you get to cleaning, you’ll need to find out which kind you have.

If you're not sure what type of teak furniture you have, we recommend contacting the manufacturer. This way, you can make sure you're cleaning and maintaining it correctly.

Just like the steps to clean mahogany furniture will be different for teak, different types of teak might require different products.

So, let’s dive into the steps. Whether you have indoor teak furniture or teak garden furniture, the steps below will have you covered for cleaning your wood furniture.

Cleaning

Removing dirt and grime

Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any loose dirt and grime from the surface of your teak furniture. Make sure to brush in the direction of the wood grain to keep the wood from getting damaged.

If you're dealing with dirt and grime that's difficult to clean, you can slightly wet the surface and let it sit for a few minutes.

Then, go in with your soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the surface. Don't use steel wool or rough scrubbing pads because these can damage the wood and finish.

When cleaning teak furniture, you need to be careful because the wood is soft and easily damaged.

Removing stains and discoloration

For this step, use a teak wood cleaner to get rid of any stains or spots.

Find the spots that need to be fixed first to get rid of stains and discoloration on your teak furniture. Apply the teak cleaner directly to the places that need it, and let it sit for as long as the manufacturer says. Scrub the stained or discolored areas with a soft-bristled brush in the direction of the wood grain.

When using a teak cleaner, you should always read the manufacturer’s instructions. This is because different products might have different instructions. For instance, you have to mix some cleaners with water before you can use them on furniture. After using some cleaners to scrub the furniture, you might need to rinse it with water.

Follow these instructions carefully, and then move on to the next section.

Rinsing & Drying

Rinsing the furniture with water

After scrubbing the furniture with the cleaner, rinse it well with water to get rid of any cleaner and dirt that is still on it. Use a garden hose or a bucket of water to rinse the furniture, making sure to get all the cleaner off.

Drying the furniture with a clean cloth

Lastly, use a clean cloth to dry the furniture well. Make sure to dry everything, even the hard-to-reach places. Before you use the furniture or put teak oil or anything else on it, let it dry completely.

By following these simple steps, you can easily clean teak wood furniture and keep it looking great for many years.

Maintenance Tips for Teak Furniture

Regular Cleaning & Maintenance

To keep your teak furniture looking its best, you should clean and maintain it regularly. You should clean your teak furniture at least once every three months so that dirt and grime don't build up.

If you clean the wood frequently, you'll be able to break down any mild, mildew, or other organisms that are bad for the wood. To clean your teak furniture, follow the steps highlighted in the previous section.

Apply Teak Oil to Restore Natural Color & Shine

Teak furniture gets a beautiful silver-gray patina over time, but some people prefer the warm, golden color of brand-new teak. You can use teak oil to restore the original look of teak furniture. Teak oil is a natural product that gets deep into the wood and brings back the wood's natural oils, making the wood look and feel better.

To apply teak oil:

1. Make sure your teak wood furniture is clean and dry first.
2. Rub the teak oil into the wood in the same direction as the grain with a clean cloth.
3. Give the oil at least 30 minutes to soak.
4. Use a clean cloth to remove any excess oil.

Protect Your Furniture

Even though teak furniture is naturally resistant to weather and rot, you still need to keep it out of the rain and snow. For outdoor teak furniture, you can do this by covering it when you're not using it or bringing it inside during the winter.

You can also seal teak furniture with a teak sealer to protect the wood from the sun, rain, and other things that happen outside. Sealers for teak wood keep it from drying out and cracking. Mold and mildew can't grow on the wood because of them.

This will help you avoid having to do any heavy cleaning for your outdoor wood furniture.

Avoid Scratches & Nicks

Even though teak furniture is durable, it can still get scratches and nicks if it isn't taken care of properly. You could damage your teak furniture if you put sharp or rough things on its surface.

When you clean or take care of your teak furniture, use a soft-bristled brush and a gentle cleaner so you don't scratch the wood. Move your teak furniture carefully. Don't drag it over rough surfaces or hit it against other things.

Avoid Excess Moisture

Even though teak furniture is naturally water-resistant, it can still warp or crack if it gets too much moisture. Make sure to clean up any spills or water as soon as possible to keep your teak furniture from getting damaged.

If your teak furniture is often exposed to water or high humidity, you might want to use a protective sealant or finish to help it resist water. Also, don't put hot or wet things right on your teak furniture, because this can leave water stains or change the color.

Protect Your Furniture from Sunlight

Even though teak is naturally resistant to the sun, leaving it out in the sun for a long time can cause it to fade or change color. To stop this from happening to teak outdoor furniture, move your teak furniture to a place with shade or add more shade with an umbrella or awning.

If your teak furniture spends a lot of time in the sun, you might want to use a UV-blocking sealant or finish to keep it from fading or changing color. Also, don't put anything hot or shiny on your teak furniture, as this can make the sun's effects stronger and cause damage.

Sand to Remove Discoloration

If you can't get stains or discoloration off the surface of your teak furniture with a cleaner, light sanding may work. You'll need fine-grit sandpaper and a soft-bristled brush to do this.

First, use the sandpaper to lightly rub the surface of the furniture in the direction of the wood grain to remove the top layer of wood. Then, use the soft-bristled brush to clean any dust or debris off the furniture. Lastly, put a teak oil or finish on the area that you've sanded to bring back the wood's natural color and protect it from further damage.

Sandpaper is one of the best products to clean wood furniture as it gets those tough stains and scratches out.

Using Vinegar & Oil to Clean & Condition Teak Furniture

You can use a mixture of vinegar and oil to clean and care for your teak furniture in a more natural way. To do this: 

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and olive/vegetable oil in a spray bottle.
2. Shake the spray bottle well.
3. Spray the solution on your furniture.
4. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the surface, gently scrubbing in the direction of the grain.

The oil makes the wood smooth and protects it, and the vinegar helps get rid of dirt and stains. When you're done scrubbing, rinse the furniture with water and pat it dry with a clean cloth.

Conclusion

So, by now you should know that you should clean and take care of your teak furniture to keep it looking nice and to make it last longer. If you don't clean and take care of your teak furniture regularly, it can get dirty, worn, and broken, which lowers its aesthetic and functional value.

By using our products to clean and maintain your teak furniture, you can make sure it stays in good shape for years to come, keeping its natural beauty and strength. From carpet cleaning chemicals to tools for wood, we have it all.

If you take care of your teak furniture the right way, it will last for a long time. By following the steps in this article and using our products, you can easily clean and care for your teak furniture, keeping it looking good and lasting longer.