We understand that teak is unbelievably popular with homeowners, and with good reason. It looks classy, it retains its value and it is very sturdy. It is considered a “hardwood” and it has a more natural weather resistant quality as an oily wood. One question that we know a lot of people have been asking is: what do you do if you have teak outdoor furniture that you want to clean up?
Because teak is so popular for outdoor furniture decks and furniture, it is important to understand how to clean it properly. Teak is renowned for the honey color it has when it is brand new. If you leave it outdoors for prolonged periods of time though, it is going to turn into something of a silvery grey-brown color. If you want to make sure that you keep that honey color on your patio a little longer, regularly cleaning and treating your outdoor teak furniture is a must.
The first step
First of all, the amount of build-up on your teak furniture is going to determine how much you need to clean and how harsh you should start out. Starting with a milder solution is always the best option when you are cleaning teak furniture. You may only need a soft scrub brush and a solution of mild soapy water of you have a lesser level of build-up. Alternatively, a gallon water with one cup of vinegar is also going to be a good way to clean your furniture.
The second step
If you noticed that this is not quite enough to clean your teak furniture, you can create a stronger solution when you mix water with bleach laundry detergent. Do you have exceptionally bad build-up on your teak furniture? That point you can add in two teaspoons of Tri-sodium Phosphate mix with your water and bleach detergent.
Do you still have stains on your teak furniture at that point? It might be time to find something more specific like a ‘teak cleaner’. That special type of cleaner is going to be a bit harsher but should remove even the more challenging stains.
How to apply
If you have the right cleaning solution for your teak furniture, use a garden sprayer or a spray bottle to apply it. Allow the cleaning solution to soak in for around 10 to 15 minutes. Ensure that the furniture is wet during this time.
Finishing up
Close to being done, grab a soft brush and scrub down the patio furniture thoroughly. You should give your patio furniture around 6 hours to dry. Do you want to use a protective oil or coating to keep your teak furniture looking better? Allow the furniture to dry for around 36 – 48 hours beforehand. This is going to add more durability and allows the teak to maintain its attractive look.
