Teak Garden Furniture Cleaning Tips
Teak is not only highly valued for its unique aesthetic appeal and exceptional durability but for its convenience as well. Since it is naturally resistant to the outdoor elements including unfavourable weather conditions and wood-eating insects, it requires virtually no care. Well, almost. Unfortunately, teak is not resistant to dirt which means that it should be routinely cleaned to keep it looking beautiful and inviting.
How often you should clean your teak garden furniture depends on your climate and the amount of dirt it is exposed to. It is highly important, however, not to allow the dirt to accumulate because it can penetrate the wood and leave stains. The best idea is to pick a day for garden furniture cleaning and stick to it regardless of the state of your furniture. That way you will not only reduce the risk of the dirt leaving stains but you will also make the cleaning job a lesser hassle.
To keep your teak garden furniture clean and aesthetically appealing, you need only a sponge and mild soapy water. You may feel tempted by cleaning products which are specially designed for teak but you are highly recommended to stay away from them. In most cases, they are harsh chemicals which can cause damage to the wood. This is due to the fact that they are not only removing the dirt but a thin layer of wood as well and sometimes even its natural oils. If you stick to your garden furniture cleaning schedule, you do not need these products.
Considering that quality teak garden furniture can last a lifetime, you are highly likely to face a stain problem sooner or later. Depending on how stubborn the stain is, you have several options. If the soapy water does not work, you can try with the commercial teak cleaning products. If this does not work either, you can also try with a mixture of bleach and water which, however, can cause damage to the wood if you leave it on the surface too long or if you use too strong concentration. For that reason it may be a better idea to use a commercial stain remover which is specially designed for teak wood. The last option is to sand the stain off. However, since most of the mentioned stain removal methods pose a risk of damage to the furniture, it is a good idea to contact the manufacturer of your garden furniture for an advice on the issue.
Quality teak garden furniture is renowned for being naturally resistant to the outdoor elements including moisture and high humidity levels, however, it can be affected by moss if left outdoors during the winter. It can be removed by a mixture of bleach, water and washing powder or a commercial teak cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. To reduce the risk of moss, cover your furniture with a breathable covering (not vinyl because it traps moisture) during the winter. It will also keep it protected against dirt and bird droppings, and significantly facilitate the spring cleaning.