Outdoor Teak Furniture Maintenance
If you’re wondering what the latest trends in the world of outdoor furniture are, you’ll be sure to find natural materials to be top of the list. More notably teak is making an appearance in many luxury homes. Long-lasting, practical yet beautiful, teak is the perfect material to create lavish furniture that pairs well with any outdoor setting.
WHAT EXACTLY IS TEAK?
Teak is unique to other woods and not only is it a strong, durable hardwood, but it also produces its own oil and has a high wax content. It is the ideal material for outdoor furniture as the teak oil makes it waterproof and undesirable to wood-eating insects. This means it can withstand being left outside in the rain, wind, or sun. It is worth the investment as not only is it an eye-catching addition to your outdoor setting, it is extremely long-lasting with the proper care.
CARING FOR TEAK
You may be wondering just how practical and easy it is to keep teak in tip-top condition. Surely something so elegant requires an ordeal of maintenance, however, teak is an extremely easy wood to care for and you can choose how much care you want to put into these pieces. With less maintenance, (only cleaning once every so often) the wood will take on a dignified silver-grey patina while not affecting the structural integrity of the wood. This aged patina look is a sought-after trend that, with teak, requires no effort to obtain. Those who want to keep the teak golden honey color can follow a few simple care instructions.
To get the patina look, the teak requires very little to no maintenance, just an annual cleaning to keep it in top condition. A solution of dish soap and water can be used, scrubbing with the grain for best results. There are also specially formulated teak cleaners that clean and brighten the wood. These can be used for annual cleanings as well. This can be done prior to the outdoor season and then only needs occasional dusting to keep it clean.
TEAK SEALANT VS. TEAK OIL
The use of teak oil is not recommended as teak produces its own oil naturally. Teak oil is actually a mixture of linseed oil and solvents and is completely different from the natural oil that teak produces. When applied to teak, it gives it an attractive glow, however, it will fade after a few months. Teak oil depletes the teak’s natural oil and it begins to rely on the external oil to be continuously applied. This also creates the perfect environment for moisture and fungus to build.
Using a teak sealant is recommended over teak oil as it preserves the natural hues of the teak and does not encourage moisture build-up. It also only needs to be applied once a year making it a great minimal maintenance option.
APPLYING TEAK SEALANT
To keep the teak’s natural color an annual treatment is recommended.
- Wash the teak furniture thoroughly with dish soap and water solution with a soft bristle brush, going with the grain.
- Allow drying in the sun for two weeks to open up the grain before moving to the next step.
- Spray with a teak sealant then rup the sealant into the wood with a lint-free cloth.
Keep in mind that Teak Sealant will preserve the color that the teak has at the time of the sealer application. Applying sealer when the teak has its deep honey color, means that the teak will not age to the patina look. You can, however, apply the sealer after the teak has aged to preserve the desired antiquated look.
REMOVING STAINS
For most stains cleaning teak with a formulated cleaner or even just a bit of unscented soap and water should work. Deeper stains however such as watermarks, wine or coffee may require a light sanding. You can also start with a coarser sandpaper and follow up with a fine grain sandpaper to leave a smooth finish.
TEAK CARE IN THE WINTER
Although teak can be left outside all year round, it is a good idea to bring the furniture indoors or keep teak pieces covered during the winter months to keep them clean and guarantee they stay in great condition. Making sure that there are no pools of water on or under your furniture is a good idea to ensure a longer lifespan of your furniture.
Why is it that teak has become a necessity in any outdoor furniture setting? Our fascination with this natural material could come from the texture it adds to an outdoor design or simply how teak adds a touch of luxury to practicality and endurance. It allows us to indulge in something beautiful knowing that it is worth the investment.
Outdoor teak furniture can last a long time with the proper care (which is very minimal). This is why it is preferred to many other types of wood. Not only does teak make beautiful furniture, it also lasts a lifetime. You can rest easy knowing that when you buy a teak Harbour piece, such as the Outdoor Sofa to accommodate all your friends and family, or the Sun Lounge for relaxing on sunny summer days, these are long-lasting investments that never go out of style.
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