How to Maintain the Color of New Teak Furniture

Teak furniture weathers more gracefully than many types of wood. And it does so naturally. Teak has long been known for its ability to last years without splitting, cracking, or warping. And this endurance is natural, not the product of chemical treatments.

Many people enjoy the rustic appearance of weathered teak furniture. After perhaps a year or so outdoors, it fades to a silvery gray. However, others would like to preserve the warm tones their teak furniture displays when it’s new. I like both looks; it’s too hard to pick.

But for those who prefer the color of new teak wood, I’d like to explain a couple options. From the outset, you can apply a protectant such as teak oil, or a specially formulated substance. The special formulations I’ve seen claim to last four times as long as teak oil. Teak oil can darken the wood slightly, but the special protector does not. It just maintains the original color of your teak furniture.

If you’ve allowed your teak furniture to weather and decide that you don’t like that look so well, you can also restore weathered teak furniture to its original color. Look for a teak cleaner. These clean and brighten the wood in one step. In addition, they are water-based and not flammable, so you can breathe easy about your choice. It only takes a moderate investment of your time to keep or restore the color of your new teak furniture.

Caring for Teak Deep Seating Cushions

In my experiences with outdoor furniture, I have found that caring for the cushions is an integral part of caring for the furniture; this principle applies to teak deep seating, as well. Many of the teak deep seating pieces I’ve seen come with cushions that raise the standards for outdoor furniture. These cushions are thick and luxurious, more reminiscent of living room furniture than typical outdoor seating.

As a result, you’ll want to keep your cushions in good shape with some simple techniques. Teak deep seating cushions, like most other outdoor cushions, are made from materials that dry quickly and resist stains and fading.

The two best things you can do for teak deep seating cushions are to bring them inside and clean up spills immediately. Certainly, whenever you don’t expect to use your teak deep seating for an extended period of time, you should store the cushions indoors. This period could fall in the winter or during a long vacation. However, it’s also a wise idea to bring the cushions inside during heavy rains, high winds, or storms. Allow the cushions to dry thoroughly before storage.

Aim to wipe up spills immediately. The durable material that covers teak deep seating cushions should resist stains, but cleaning spills immediately should prevent most stains from forming. For tougher dirt and stains, you can try a mild soap and warm water. Hose the cushions thoroughly when you finish scrubbing. Bleach is not advisable; however, if your other efforts don’t work, you can try bleach. Spot test in an inconspicuous place before proceeding.

In my opinion, it’s worth your attention to keep the cushions spotless. Nice cushions do more than any other factor to keep teak deep seating looking attractive.

Less is More When Caring for a Teak Patio Set

A teak patio set lasts surprisingly well with no maintenance. For those who really prize that new look, however, a teak patio set will require a little extra care. I have often found that a little preventive maintenance actually saves time in the long run.

You can start with this step. Keep your teak patio set covered, or store it indoors whenever you aren’t using it for an extended period. A cover can also help guard a teak patio set from precipitation, but you should take care that the cover isn’t trapping moisture underneath for long periods. This can promote mildew on your teak patio set.

Secondly, you can apply teak oil or an alternative protectant designed to condition the wood and restore the original coloring. Depending on the formulation, it may also darken the wood.

But I’ve found that less is more—in several areas of life. When it comes to a teak patio set, you shouldn’t oil any more frequently than a few times a year. Excessive oiling can actually blacken the teak patio set. And of course, if I wanted a black patio set, I wouldn’t buy teak. I don’t imagine you would, either.

In most cases, cleaning is as simple as water and mild soap. You can buy special cleaning solutions, but these are optional.

Cleaning a Cedar Adirondack Chair

When you bring home a cedar Adirondack chair, you want to know you’ll have easy ways of maintaining it and cleaning it. In my busy lifestyle, I cringe at the thought that a new furnishing is going to require large chunks of my time. But a beautiful cedar Adirondack chair is one of those pieces that won’t require regular maintenance.

Cedar holds up well to weathering, and you shouldn’t have to clean it continually. When it does come time to clean, the method depends on the finish of your chair. Finished cedar should only require a wipe-down with a damp rag occasionally. Of course, if you’ve chosen to finish your cedar Adirondack chair, you’ll need to repeat the staining or painting process every few years.

On the other hand, an unfinished cedar Adirondack chair doesn’t require the extra time to restain or repaint, but the cleaning process can take a little longer. After a while, an unfinished cedar Adirondack chair can pick up stains and discolorations. A water-and-bleach solution can take care of this, however, Add a small amount of bleach to a bucket of water. Aim for an ounce of bleach to every gallon of water you use. Use this cleaning solution to scrub at the stains and rinse off the cedar Adirondack chair when you’re done. Don’t use an abrasive scrubber or cleaners. That’s all there is to it. Even I can manage that!

A Long Life for Your Teak Furniture

If you’re planning to invest in some teak furniture for your patio, you’ll want to get the best use you can from it, right? Teak is a popular hardwood for outdoor furniture because it’s naturally very durable. Nevertheless, you can take several precautions to encourage a long life for your teak furniture.

You can do a few basic things that you might do for any outdoor furniture. Cover it or move it inside during extremely wet or harsh weather, or during any extended period when you’re not using your teak furniture. Clean your furniture before storing it or covering it for extended periods.

You don’t need any special cleaners for your teak furniture. Just mix a little mild detergent or dish soap with water. Scrub with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge. Never use abrasive compounds or cleaners on your teak furniture because these can damage the natural finish. Rinse all traces of soap away.

Some owners prefer to treat their teak furniture with teak oil as a method of preventive maintenance. Teak oil is the natural substance that teak wood produces. You rub this extra oil on the surface of your furniture to enhance the oil already in the wood.

You can also sand natural teak down a little. In this case, you want to rub a fine sandpaper lightly in the same direction as the wood’s grain. Sanding a removes a slight outer layer to reveal a fresh layer beneath.