It's still raining in San Diego ... Let's talk about Teak

The left hand side of this bench has not been treated with any oils or sealants.Teak in it's natural state will gray, it takes between six and nine months for this process to occur depending on the climate you reside in. On the right side you can see the honey colour of the teak. This teak has been treated with a sealant. It is normally how your Teak looks when you first purchase it... If you want to maintain this look or just get your teak cleaned up then please read on...

I think Teak gets a bad rap; people are a little afraid of it. Believing it too much work to maintain, many shy away from Teak. However, with the proper care and a little ongoing maintenance, it is heirloom furniture that is incredibly comfortable and it never goes out of style.

To understand how to care for your teak furniture or decking, it is important to know something about the wood itself. Teak is a very dense hardwood that has an extremely high oil and wax content. These traits make teak quite durable for both indoor and outdoor use. The wood is naturally resistant to rot or degradation caused by fungal decay plus the oil that is in the wood cells prevents attack by termites and other wood eating insects.

Proof of teak's extraordinary long term weather and wear resistance is the fact that it has been used for years in marine construction. Despite exposure to sun, salt, rain and heavy foot traffic, teak on boats lasts for decades. Although teak is a very durable wood, it does undergo change as time passes and the wood is subjected to use and environmental exposure.

Cleaning
Here’s what you’ll need: A gentle brush, a mild soap and some elbow grease. If you need a little extra cleaning power then add a table spoon or so of TSP to the water. Let the soap and water solution sit for a few minutes to help loosen the dirt and then go over the wood with the brush gently, take a hose and rinse all the solution completely off the teak.

------- Important --------
Do not use any steel wool or high pressure hoses. If any steel wool remains in the wood grain it will rust and cause discoloration.

Deep Cleaning Teak
You can purchase a commercial teak cleaner to clean your teak furniture or you can make a solution yourself. You do have to remember that the commercial cleaners all have one thing in common they are all acid based cleaners and all carry a strong warning due to their chemical nature. Because these products will remove some of the top layer of wood it is best to use them no more often than once a year.
Here is what you’ll need if you choose to mix your own:

- Five gallon bucket of warm water
- One quart of ammonia
- Two caps filled with Wisk laundry detergent.

You will need a good household grade soft bristle brush. You’ll then want to mix a solution of ammonia and laundry soap and apply it to the wood. Let the detergent mixture sit on the furniture for several minutes to allow it to penetrate to the dirt. After doing so, scrub with the brush and after that is complete give the furniture a good rinse with clean water. Ensure that the residue is removed. Stains can be gently removed with a little bit of Bar Keepers Friend purchased at the super market which contains oxalic acid. With a soft brush or cloth rub the stain gently and rinse well with clean water. Or you can use a very fine grade sand paper going with the grain of the wood.

Oiling your Teak:
Warning: Don't apply oil if you plan on sealing your teak furniture in the near future as the excess oil will interfere with the adhesion of the sealant.
You will need some oil, (There is no such thing as “Teak oil” it is usually linseed or Tung oil and can be found in hardware and home improvement stores) a clean paint brush, some clean cotton rags, good light and plenty of space to work in. It can be a little messy so I recommend wearing household gloves to keep the oil off your hands. The oil can be applied with a clean brush, starting from the top and working downwards. The surface should be left wet by the brush, but try to avoid leaving too much surplus oil behind as you work. After a few minutes - maybe 5 to 15 – and depending on the ambient temperature, the oil will start to become tacky. At this point, the surface of the furniture should be wiped down with a clean cotton rag, carefully removing all surplus oil. One coat is usually sufficient, but you can apply a second coat if required.
Allow a minimum of one hour for the first coat to dry. Once you've completed the oiling and the surface is dry to the touch, a second clean rag can be used to buff up the surface. Please be sure to dispose of any used rags and cleaning cloths carefully in accordance with the instructions from the oil manufacturer.

Sealing Your Teak:
You want to look for a teak sealer that contains UV protection. Whichever product you purchase, you will want to diligently follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Sealing your teak is the easiest way to ensure it maintains the honey color. Most products will require several applications of the sealant and you want to make sure that it is completely dry before you use your furniture. Do no replace cushions until the furniture is completely dry. Sealants protect the color of teak but still allow the teak to breathe, so stains and spills can still penetrate a sealant. It will be necessary to repeat this process approximately once a year depending on the environmental conditions.

New Teak will require that you leave it outdoors for about two weeks, allowing the natural oils to dry out prior to sealing your furniture. You should clean it to ensure all particles have been removed prior to sealing your new teak...

Jane :)