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How to Care for Outdoor Teak Furniture

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CARING FOR TEAK WOOD

We're teak specialists with decades of experience in crafting and caring for solid outdoor teak. Let us recommend what's safe and effective for your treasured teak furniture, from basic cleaning and sealing to deep treatments.

 

Have questions or want advice? Reach out to us, and our Furniture Specialists will make a recommendation for your unique situation.

The composition of teak wood makes it advantageous for use in outdoor furniture. Grade A teak furniture also requires very little maintenance. It does not need extra finishes or treatments to last for years. The furniture can be left out year-round without impacting the integrity of the wood. What does change is the color of the wood. Teak wood begins with a warm, golden color, eventually fading to a silvery gray patina as it is left outdoors over time. The amount of time this takes to patina varies based on the amount of sun exposure and the type of environment in which the furniture is left.
Here are some tips for things to do—and avoid—while cleaning your outdoor teak furniture.
  • DO clean your teak wearing gloves and eye protection, especially when doing an intense cleaning with our Two-Part Cleaner.
  • DO use ground protection, such as a tarp, when cleaning or finishing teak. This is especially important on porous stone, concrete or deck surfaces, as cleaning products can cause staining.
  • DO purchase our Utility kit, which includes all necessary supplies for cleaning and care applications.
  • DO test any cleaning products you are using on a small area on the underside of your furniture to see how it interacts with the teak and its color.
  • DO consider applying sealants and protectants to your furniture after cleaning to preserve the color and prevent stains or mold. The teak needs to be clean and completely dry and dust free before applying these.
  • DO wipe up any spills on teak furniture right away so they don't set into the wood and cause stains.
  • DO occasionally wipe or hose down furniture between cleaning to keep dirt and debris to a minimum.
  • DO use coasters for drinks to avoid water rings on your teak.
  • DON'T use teak oil on your outdoor furniture. Teak oil is linseed oil mixed with other ingredients, primarily solvents – it is not oil from teak trees. It is often touted as a necessary treatment for teak furniture, but it can cause more harm than good, leaving a sticky surface that will collect dirt and debris which cause mold and mildew to grow. Furniture treated with teak oil often turns black and can even feel gummy to the touch over time, especially in warm, humid climates. We recommend using water-based sealers which last longer and allow the teak to breathe.
  • DON'T use cleaners, sealers or protectants that are harmful to plants, lawn or animals (all of Country Casual Teak’s products are water-based and therefore eco-friendly. We still recommend using a tarp especially with our Two-Part Cleaner so that the water from rinsing dilutes the solution before it is drained on grass.)
  • DON’T use steel wool, as small flecks of metal can lodge in the grain of the wood and rust over time.
  • DON'T sand against the grain, as this will "scratch" the teak.
  • DON'T pressure wash your teak furniture, as this will cause damage to the wood. This can remove the soft wood between the grain causing a rough, furrowed surface that in turn collects water and debris.
 


Untreated teak will weather naturally to a silvery gray patina with exposure to the elements. To maintain the golden color of new teak, follow these steps.
  • Step 1. Prepare the area by laying down a tarp.
  • Step 2. Prepare the furniture by cleaning it with two tablespoons of mild dish soap and a gallon of water or our Teak Cleaner (strongly recommended if you are using our sealers) to remove surface oils and dust. Allow it to fully dry. If your teak feels rough to the touch after cleaning, you can do a light sanding with 220 grit paper to remove any rough fibers or wood particulate. Be sure to sand with the grain to avoid "scratching" the teak.
  • Step 3. Choose a sealing product. There are many color and finish options available on the market. We don't recommend using teak oil (see Do's and Don'ts). It's always best to test any sealer on a small, hidden portion of your furniture. We recommend using a water-based sealer like our Golden Sealer. Shake the bottle for a minute to mix. Apply two thin coats with a soft cloth and wipe up any drips as you go. (See the Maintaining and Refinishing Teak Sealer section for more details).
  • Step 4. Outdoor environments are harsh. Any sealer will weather or wear away with time and use. It will need to be touched up or reapplied periodically (every one to two years). We recommend stripping down the furniture to the natural teak every few years using our Two-Part Cleaner or a similar product before reapplying a sealer. If you have questions about which is needed for your furniture, please reach out to us.
  • (Optional) Step 5. To protect the furniture from stains from food or drink, you can apply a urethane sealer like our Clear Coat Gloss on top of the sealed teak.


Using products you likely have at home, follow these easy steps to surface clean newer outdoor teak furniture.
  • Step 1. Prepare the area for cleaning by laying down a tarp and placing your furniture on it. Then, wet your furniture with a garden hose.
  • Step 2. Choose a cleaning product. If you would like to use household items, combine two tablespoons of a mild cleanser such as liquid dish soap with a gallon of water in a large bucket. If you would prefer a cleaner formulated for teak, try our Teak Cleaner.
  • Step 3. Apply the solution to your teak furniture with a soft nylon brush, gently scrubbing with the direction of the grain to avoid scraping up the surface of the wood.
  • Step 4. Once your teak is clean, hose it down once more and allow to dry.
  • (Optional) Step 5. If your teak feels rough to the touch after cleaning, you can do a light sanding with 220 grit paper to remove any rough fibers or wood particulate. Be sure to sand with the grain to avoid "scratching" the teak.
  • (Optional) Step 6. To help keep the golden blonde appearance of your new teak, use a sealer with UV inhibitors to lock in the original color and prevent weathering. Sealers should be applied on new or recently cleaned teak that is dry to the touch. You need to ensure that the cleaner and sealer are compatible. If you used our Teak Cleaner, we strongly recommend using our Golden Sealer, as the two have been tested together. Sealers should be applied on an annual basis, or as needed depending on the climate and placement of furniture. (See the Maintaining and Refinishing Teak Sealer section for more details).


Exposed to the elements, it can take one to two years for untreated teak to weather naturally to a silvery gray patina. To get the look of weathered teak instantly, consider a gray sealer.
  • Step 1. Prepare the area by laying down a tarp.
  • Step 2. Prepare the furniture by cleaning it with two tablespoons of mild dish soap and a gallon of water or our Teak Cleaner (strongly recommended if you are using our sealers) to remove surface oils and dust. Allow it to fully dry. If your teak feels rough to the touch after cleaning, you can do a light sanding with 220 grit paper to remove any rough fibers or wood particulate. Be sure to sand with the grain to avoid "scratching" the teak.
  • Step 3. Choose a sealing product. There are many options available on the market. It's always best to test any sealer on a small, hidden portion of your furniture. We recommend using a water-based sealer like our Gray Sealer. Shake the bottle well to mix. Apply two thin coats with a soft cloth and wipe up any drips as you go.
  • Step 4. Outdoor environments are harsh. Any sealer will weather or wear away with time and use. Gray sealers can be touched up periodically, but remember that as the sealer wears away, you will be left with a natural weathered gray teak.
  • (Optional) Step 5. To protect the furniture from stains from food or drink, you can apply a urethane sealer like our Clear Coat Gloss on top of the sealed teak.


Once your teak has weathered to a silvery gray, follow these steps to remove dirt and some stains while keeping the gray color.
  • Step 1. Prepare the area for cleaning by moving your furniture onto a tarp. Then, wet your furniture with a garden hose.
  • Step 2. Choose a cleaning product. If you are using household items, use a large bucket to combine two tablespoons of a mild cleanser such as liquid dish soap with a gallon of water. If you would like to use a product that has been formulated for teak, consider our Teak Cleaner.
  • Step 3. Apply the solution to your teak furniture with a soft nylon brush, or coarse sponge, gently scrubbing with the direction of the grain to avoid scraping up the surface of the wood. To remove some of the silvery gray color, apply more pressure with a course sponge. Note that excessive scrubbing will cause the gray color to become blonde. If this happens it will weather back to gray with time.
  • Step 4. Once your teak is clean, hose it down once more and allow to dry.
  • (Optional) Step 5. If your teak feels rough to the touch after cleaning, you can do a light sanding with 220 grit paper to remove any rough fibers or wood particulate. Be sure to sand with the grain to avoid "scratching" the teak.


The beauty of teak is that it can be cleaned at any time, no matter the stage of weathering, and returned to a light blonde color by following the steps below.
  • Step 1. Prepare the area for cleaning by laying down a tarp. Then, wet your furniture with a garden hose.
  • Step 2. Choose a cleaning product. For a solution that is formulated for teak, try our Two-Part Cleaner.
  • Step 3. Using a squeeze or spray bottle, apply the solution to your teak furniture. Scrub vigorously with a coarse sponge or nylon brush in the direction of the grain to remove dirt, stains, mold or mildew and prior finishes. It will not damage any hardware.
  • Step 4. Once your teak is clean, hose it down once more and allow to dry. If you are using our Two-Part Cleaner, apply part two while furniture is still wet, then rinse thoroughly.
  • (Optional) Step 5. If your teak feels rough to the touch after cleaning, you can do a light sanding with 220 grit paper to remove any rough fibers or wood particulate. Be sure to sand with the grain to avoid "scratching" the teak. After cleaning, you can also shine up any hardware with the appropriate cleaner.


Teak, like any natural wood, can soak up spills, causing a stain. To protect the surface of the teak, a stain protector can be applied. This will make cleaning and maintaining the wood easier. To apply, follow these steps.
  • Step 1. Prepare the area by laying down a tarp.
  • Step 2. Prepare the furniture by cleaning it with soap and water or our Teak Cleaner (strongly recommended if you are using our Stain Guard) to remove surface oils and dust. Allow it to fully dry.
  • Step 3. Choose a stain-protecting product. There are many color and finish options available on the market. We don't recommend using teak oil (see Do's and Don'ts) or urethane products directly on natural teak (teak's natural surface oils can make it hard for urethane to adhere to the surface). We recommend using either a water-based protector like our Teak Water & Stain Guard or a long-lasting urethane-based sealer like our Clear Coat Gloss. Clear Coat Gloss must be applied on top of a sealer such as Golden or Gray Sealer. It's always best to test any product on a small, hidden portion of your furniture. Shake the container well to mix. Apply two thin coats with a soft cloth or foam brush and wipe up any drips as you go.
  • Step 4. Outdoor environments are harsh. Any protector will weather or wear away with time and use. Our Teak Water & Stain Guard will need to be touched up or reapplied periodically (every three to six months). Our Clear Coat Gloss can last one to two years before reapplication is needed. Test water repellency by dripping some water onto the surface. If water ceases to bead up, additional coats of protector should be applied to the surface when it is clean and dry.


Outdoor environments are harsh. Any sealer will weather or wear away with time and use and will need to be touched up or reapplied periodically. Follow the steps below to maintain sealed furniture.

It’s important to note that sealers or paint on some pre-finished teak may be covering up inferior wood. Stripping off the finish will expose this. It is not recommended to use this furniture unfinished, as it will quickly deteriorate if exposed. An oil-based, non-transparent sealer may be required if this is the case. Country Casual Teak never uses sap wood or inferior wood on our products, so you always have the option to remove the finish and enjoy the beauty of the high-quality, natural teak underneath.
  • Step 1. If the sealer or finish is severely worn away or peeling, it must be completely stripped off and resealed. Follow steps 2-5 below. If the sealer has only worn away in a few places, simply clean with a solution of mild dish soap and water, allow to fully dry, then touch up using your chosen sealer.
  • Step 2. Prepare the area by laying down a tarp or move to an appropriate workspace. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection.
  • Step 3. Strip off the old finish by cleaning or sanding (or a combination of both). For water-based sealers like our Golden Sealer and many urethane finishes like our Clear Coat Gloss, use our Two Part Cleaner.
  • Step 4. Two Part Cleaner is an intense cleaning solution made up of Part 1, which dissolves dirt and old finishes, and Part 2, which neutralizes Part 1 and brightens teak. First, generously wet the furniture with a garden hose. Using a spray bottle, apply Part 1 to fully saturate the surface. Allow to soak for a few minutes. Scrub with a coarse sponge or a soft nylon bristle brush. Rinse cleaned area thoroughly with the hose. Apply Part 2, scrubbing lightly. Rinse again and allow to fully dry. Repeat this process if you still have stains.
  • Step 5. If your teak feels rough to the touch, do a light sanding with 220 grit paper, sanding in the direction of the wood grain.
  • Step 6. Choose a sealing product. There are many color and finish options available on the market. We don't recommend using teak oil (see Do's and Don'ts). It's always best to test any sealer on a small, hidden portion of your furniture. Make sure your furniture is dry and dust free. We recommend using a water-based sealer like our Golden Sealer. Shake the bottle well to mix. Apply two thin coats with a soft cloth and wipe up any drips as you go.
  • (Optional) Step 7. To protect the furniture from stains from food or drink, you can apply a urethane sealer like our Clear Coat Gloss on top of the sealed teak.

  • Using Teak Indoor or Outdoor

  • When untreated, natural teak furniture is used outdoors, and exposed to the elements, it will weather from golden blonde to a silvery gray patina over time. This process typically takes one to two years, depending on exposure – the more sunlight and rain, the faster teak will gray. Teak requires no sealers or preservatives and will perform beautifully with light annual cleaning.

    When untreated, natural teak furniture is used indoors (or covered), not exposed to sunlight and rain, it will not transition to gray. As natural teak oils escape, the teak surface will oxidize to a rich golden color. For indoor use, untreated natural teak furniture can be maintained with occasional cleaning. Sealers may be added for additional stain protection.

  • Applying Paint to Teak

  • Painting natural teak is not recommended. Quality solid teak hardwood is naturally dense with a high oil and rubber content. The high concentration of rubber and oil make teak naturally weatherproof and resistant to pests, while its dense, straight grain give it strength and durability. These same oils prevent many types of paints from properly adhering to the wood surface. Paint can act as a barrier trapping moisture underneath leading to bubbling and peeling over time.

  • Caring for Teak in Different Climates

  • An excellent choice for all climates and geographical locations, teak hardwood furniture can withstand snow, rain, sea salt, high temperatures and everything in between.
  • For hot, humid, or rainy environments:
  • Clean furniture periodically with a simple solution of mild dish soap and water. If used in a shady area, consider adding Teak Mildew Shield for extra protection against mold and mildew.
  • For coastal, salt-air regions:
  • Quality kiln-dried teak furniture and marine-grade hardware can endure for generations in coastal environments. Clean periodically with a simple solution of mild dish soap and water. If used in shady areas, consider adding Teak Mildew Shield for protection against mold and mildew.
  • For areas prone to gusts or directional winds:
  • Installing permanent or moveable anchors will prevent tipping and movement.
  • For arid areas with low annual precipitation:
  • The high oil content of teak protects and prevents timbers from becoming brittle. Teak will weather to gray more slowly in areas with less rain. In desert environments, teak will not completely dry out, but moisture can escape the cross-cut end grain more quickly. The resultant open end grain, called checking, is a natural occurrence that does not affect the structural integrity of the wood.
    teak wood checking


  • For areas with bees, wasps, insects:
  • To discourage insects from burrowing, drilling, tunneling or chewing teak, a chemical-free visual deterrent such as a Waspinator® may lessen activity near humans. Wasps and bees are also repelled by eucalyptus oil, menthol, citronella and lemongrass. This type of natural repellent can be applied directly to the wood. Apply with a soft cloth or spray a solution of equal parts repellant and water. Apply a small amount first in an inconspicuous area to test results before treating furniture.
  • For areas with squirrels and rodents:
  • To deter squirrels and rodents from gnawing on wood, remove nearby sources of water or food such as bird feeders or pet dishes. Rodents are also repelled by mothballs and capsaicin oils. A natural repellant that contains cayenne or capsaicin oils can be applied directly to furniture. Apply with a soft cloth or spray a solution of equal parts repellant and water. Apply a small amount first in an inconspicuous area to test results before treating furniture.
We only use outdoor fabrics that are specially formulated for sustained outdoor use, resisting water, fading and fraying. While our outdoor fabrics are resistant to stains and damage from mildew or chlorine, we know that over time cleaning may be necessary. Our cushions, pillows and umbrella canopy fabrics are easy to clean, only requiring simple household cleaners. Do not dry clean the cushions and don't remove the foam from inside the cushion while cleaning – cushions can easily be cleaned with the foam in place. Zippers can be opened for faster drainage and drying if needed. Get step-by-step instructions on our Outdoor Performance Fabric Care Guide.