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How to Clean Teak Garden Furniture
Treated timber garden furniture is amazing stuff. It resists fading, warping, and mould better than any other material.
Teak garden furniture also looks fantastic all year round and it can be cheaper than patio furniture made from other materials like plastic or metal.
However, if you want your teak garden furniture to maintain its beauty for years to come, you’ll need to clean it on a regular basis to keep dirt and other contaminants from building up over time and staining the material.
Best Ways to Clean Teak Garden Furniture
If you want to clean, protect and restore your teak garden furniture, there are several ways to go about it. Below we’ll go through a variety of ways to clean your teak garden furniture, protect it and also restore any that needs a little more tender loving care
Pressure Wash Teak Garden Furniture
Can you pressure wash teak garden furniture? You can but when pressure washing your teak garden furniture treat it with every bit as much care as you would any other expensive piece of outdoor equipment. If you want it to remain to look beautifully cared for for years and years, then you need to take the same care cleaning it that you would any other valuable items.
Do not blast your furniture but keep your pressure washer on the softest setting possible and only use a pressure washer for stubborn stains that you cannot remove in other ways. Pressure washing can leave your furniture pitted and marked if not done correctly and make sure you apply teak oil when dried.
Soaking Teak Garden Furniture
If you want to get rid of hard-to-remove stains (like those from coffee or wine) it’s a good idea to soak your furniture in water before washing it out thoroughly in the clean. This is how you’ll be able to remove some types of stains. Other stains, especially those resistant to cleaning with water or acid (like some types of red wine) will have to be dealt with by other methods.
Sanding Teak Garden Furniture
If your teak garden furniture has been subjected to weathering (think wind and rain), you may have to resort to sanding it down. However, be sure not to go too far; the wood needs to survive without showing open cracks or splits that could invite mould or mildew into the spaces left behind.
Use Teak Oil
Teak oil is a useful tool for maintaining your garden furniture if you’re not willing to give it a full-on scrub with soap and water. It’s great for keeping water, mould, and mildew from developing on the surface of the wood. It also helps protect against UV rays.
Use Mineral Oil
Another good solution for maintaining your garden furniture is mineral oil. This substance gets the job done by filling in any scratches and smoothing out the surface. It creates a finish that prevents dirt and other contaminants from sticking to the wood.
Dust and Grime
Letting your garden furniture collect dust is one of the easiest ways to damage it over time. The buildup of grime attracts insects who leave their droppings behind which creates a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Keep your furniture clean by making it the first thing you put outside when you wake up in the morning and the last thing you take inside at night. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for as long as possible, or if you do, be sure to move it away from other objects so that they don’t become a source of grease and moisture.
Regular Washing
As with any other piece of furniture, regular washing is an important part of keeping your teak garden furniture looking good as new. It’s best to wash it with a mixture of soap and water or a milder cleaner like vinegar. It’s best to use the same cleaning agent you would use on other pieces of furniture that are made of similar material.
Use Good Quality Soap
If you want to keep your garden furniture looking at its best for as long as possible, then it’s important to maintain the tone of the finish that it was initially given when it was manufactured. Many people prefer to use a soft natural soap with a wood finish. This can also be used on wooden furniture that is not finished, but if you have teak furniture, you might want to avoid using it on the furniture since it can leave a residue that could stain your surface.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is another option for preparing your teak garden furniture for cleaning. It can be used for a deep clean as well as for removing any stains and detritus that are stuck to the surface. Just be sure that you mix your vinegar with water to avoid damage to the finish.
Don’t forget that after you clean your teak garden furniture, use teak oil to add a protective coating to the wood. This will help preserve it and maintain its smooth finish.
How to Remove Stains from Teak Garden Furniture?
You can remove stains from teak garden furniture at home using a cleaner that doesn’t contain any bleach and is preferably biodegradable. Never use household cleaners or glass cleaners on treated wooden paving slabs, they may contain ingredients that could damage the wood.
Here’s how to remove some common stains from your treated patio furniture:
Mildew Stain Removal
To remove mildew stains from teak garden furniture simply mix one tablespoon of household detergent with one litre of warm water in a bowl.
Coffee Stain Removal
To remove coffee stains from teak garden furniture simply mix two tablespoons of household detergent with one cup warm water in a bowl.
Wine Stain Removal
To remove wine stains from teak garden furniture simply mix one tablespoon of household detergent with one litre of warm water in a bowl.
Oil Stain Removal
To remove oil stains from teak garden furniture simply mix two tablespoons of household detergent with one cup warm water in a bowl.
Rust Stain Removal
To remove rust stains from teak garden furniture simply mix one tablespoon of household detergent with one litre of warm water in a bowl.
Blood Stain Removal
To remove blood stains from teak garden furniture simply mix two tablespoons of household detergent with one litre of warm water in a bowl.
Grease Stain Removal
To remove grease stains from teak garden furniture simply mix two tablespoons of household detergent with one litre of warm water in a bowl.
Finally, if you are a little worried about using any type of substance on your teak garden furniture then you could always just stick to giving it a light wash with plain old water after each use. Just remember to let it dry and apply a good quality teak oil afterward.
The best way however to ensure that your teak garden furniture is fully protected is to keep it under a good quality cover when not in use. COvers should protect your furniture from rain, wind debris, and especially sunlight. You can find a whole range of teak furniture covers online.