Caring for teak – tips for your outdoor furniture
What does teak wood look like?
The appearance of teak wood is closely related to how the wood is cared for. New teak furniture has a warm, honey-brown colour. If the wood remains untreated, it will take on a silver-grey tone over time. This patina is typical of aged teak and does not affect the quality or stability of the wood. If you want to preserve the original warm colour of the wood, you should treat your teak with a special teak care product immediately after purchase.
What is teak wood?
Teak wood comes from teak trees. These trees are native to the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia and South Asia and are among the continent's most important export woods. The deciduous trees grow up to 50 metres tall. What makes them special is that the tree crown with branches usually starts high up on the tree. This means that knot-free trunk lengths of up to 25 metres can be achieved, which are then processed as teak wood, for example for the manufacture of furniture. Teak wood is a classic hardwood with high density and strength, which makes it particularly durable.
Teak wood – properties of the material
Teak wood has a number of properties that make it particularly robust and therefore ideal for use in outdoor catering: it has a high rubber and natural oil content, which makes the wood abrasion-resistant and acid-resistant. This also makes it water-repellent, meaning that it hardly swells or warps when exposed to moisture. Teak wood contains the plant substance tectol, which has a fungicidal effect and provides additional protection for the wood. In addition, the wood is resistant to insects and other pests – this is ensured by the plant substance tectochinone and the semi-metal silicon, which accumulates in the wood via the soil.
Cleaning and caring for new teak furniture
When you invest in new teak furniture, the question arises: should you oil teak? If you want to preserve the original honey-coloured tone of your furniture, the answer is a resounding yes. This is because if you allow the furniture to age naturally, it will develop the grey patina typical of teak. We will show you how to care for and clean teak.
Step 1: Clean the teak
Before oiling, it is essential to clean your teak furniture. For new furniture, a damp cotton cloth is usually sufficient. Would you like to refresh oiled furniture that has already been used outdoors? Use a neutral soap and a sponge for cleaning. For coarse dirt such as bird droppings, pollen or stains, you can also use a brush. This will also remove green deposits from moss or algae on untreated teak. After cleaning with soap, rinse the wood again with clean water.
Please note: After cleaning, the wood must dry completely before being oiled!
Step 2: Caring for teak garden furniture
Treating high-quality teak with maintenance oil is not absolutely necessary, as the natural oils in the wood already protect it. However, you should oil the wood if you want to keep your teak furniture outdoors all year round or preserve the original colour of the wood. Be sure to use a special teak oil for oiling teak. This consists of ingredients such as wood oil, castor oil, linseed oil or natural resin, mixed with other ingredients. The oil is usually thick and can be applied evenly with a cloth or brush. Ensure adequate ventilation during these steps and wear protective gloves. You can apply the oil about once or twice a year.
Caution: Most teak care products are flammable. Cloths soaked in teak oil are therefore prone to spontaneous combustion. For this reason, the cloths should be burned after use or soaked in plenty of water. Alternatively, they can be dried on a clothesline. Leftover teak oil must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
Refreshing grey teak – instructions
Would you like to refresh teak furniture that has already been used and has turned grey? There are two ways to remove the grey from teak: sanding the wood or using a special teak brightener.
Sanding teak furniture
The classic method for removing grey from teak is sanding. Although this is somewhat time-consuming, it is worth the effort if you want to give your teak furniture a new lease of life. Here's how to do it:
1. Sanding: Use fine sandpaper (100 to 240 grit). Sand in the direction of the grain to avoid damaging the wood surface.
2. Cleaning: Remove the wood dust with a damp cloth.
3. Drying: Wait until your furniture is completely dry.
4. Oiling: To preserve the restored colour in the future, oil the wood as described above.
Use teak brightener
As an alternative to sanding, you can also use a teak brightener. These are cleaning agents that use chlorine or acids such as oxalic acid to lighten wood that has turned grey. Teak brighteners are usually applied to the furniture, left to work for a few minutes and then removed with water. The method of application may vary depending on the product – for best results and safe use, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Our tip:
If your teak furniture has developed a very thick patina, you can sand it down and then use teak degreaser. If necessary, the wood can be treated with degreaser several times.
Storing teak furniture correctly in winter
What is the best way to store teak furniture over winter? In general, this weather-resistant wood can also be stored outside during the cold season. However, it is advisable to place the furniture in a covered area or cover it with a protective cover. This should allow sufficient air circulation, so it should not lie directly on the wood. Otherwise, mildew stains or mould may develop. If you have the option, you can also store your teak furniture in a well-ventilated room during winter. Avoid heated and dry rooms – low humidity can cause cracks in the wood.
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