Caring for your teak furniture is important if you want it to last for years to come. MGP Master Garden Products want to help you make that process as easy as possible.
What happens to Teak if uncared for over time?
Over time, oils are excreted from teak wood that mix with weather elements, spills, dew, etc. This can form mold or mildew that can fortunately be easily cleaned with a outdoor wood cleaner.
As teak ages, it will begin to develop hairline cracks - something known as “checking”. These small fissures will smooth themselves out eventually given time. If you would like to expedite the process, they can be lightly sanded with fine grade sandpaper to smooth them out faster.
Teak naturally turns to a silver-gray if left untreated. The more moist a climate is, the faster the graying will occur. To bring teak back to its natural finish use regular wood cleaner to restore the color and then a outdoor wood sealer to preserve it.
How do I regularly clean my teak?
Regularly cleaning your teak will not only help lengthen the life of your teak furniture, but it will keep it looking brand new. Using fresh water, hose down your teak and then wipe it down with a clean cloth. Let the wood dry completely before your next use.
Sometimes, it may be necessary for a more thorough cleaning. For this we recommend using regular wood cleaner. This will help get rid of more difficult stains. First, hose down the teak with fresh water. Next, use cleaner, spraying or wiping it directly onto the furniture. Then, use a clean cloth or soft bristle brush to scrub the furniture thoroughly. Once finished, you should rinse the entire piece of furniture again with fresh water and let it dry before using the furniture. This is especially effective when looking to restore the color from silver- gray back to a more natural look.
Why does teak turn gray and can I prevent this?
Over time if left untreated, teak will turn in a silvery-gray color. This is a completely natural process caused by sunlight drying out the outer layer of teak. As it dries out, it will oxidize and begin to fade, changing colors within a few weeks. This is purely cosmetic and does not change the integrity of the teak.
To prevent teak from turning gray, simply use a outdoor wood sealer. Outdoor wood sealer will seal the teak, preventing the natural weathering process of teak to occur. This allows it to stay its natural golden-honey color, making more vigorous cleaning unnecessary. Depending on the climate, our Teak Sealer should be applied every 1-2 years.
Outdoor wood sealer
 | Gives a layer of UV protection to Teak |
| Prevents mildew growth |
| Will prevent Teak from turning into silver-grey color |
| 1 Bottle will cover 1 Dining Table and 8-10 Chairs |
Using Teak Sealer
| Cover anything that you do not want to get sealer on |
| Wipe off the teak with a clean cloth before applying any sealer |
| Spray or rub on with cloth |
| Cover the teak thoroughly with sealer |
| Let dry thoroughly before use |
Can I pressure wash my teak furniture?
Yes, you can definitely pressure wash your teak furniture. Pressure washing is highly effective on teak that has been left untreated that you would like to restore to its original color. See our recommendations, below, for pressure washing your teak.
Pressure Washing Teak
| Use on a low setting and PSI |
| Use a wide spray nozzle |
| Spray at an angle of around 40 degrees |
| Use even, long, strokes keeping the nozzle around 12” from the teak’s surface |
| After finished, lightly sand with fine sandpaper to smooth out the teak. |
Why do I see black dots on my new teak?
Black dots are completely normal on teak furniture, especially when it is new. As the teak oil escapes from the wood, it can mix with foreign substances such as dirt, food, moisture or oils and cause it to mildew. This occurs on the outer layer of the teak and is no cause for concern. Simply follow our recommended cleaning instructions, above, to get rid of the spots.
Why do I see black dots on my new teak?
The teak furniture must be maintain, cleaning and care for if you want to enjoy them for years to come.