How to Care for Teak Garden Furniture: Cleaning & Oiling Guide
Teak is one of the easiest garden woods to live with. It is naturally rich in oils, which is why it has been used outdoors and on boats for centuries. You don't have to treat it to keep it sound, but a little care each year keeps it looking its best. This guide explains what happens to teak outside, how to clean it, and whether (and how) to oil it.
What happens to teak outdoors
New teak has a warm honey colour. Left outside through a British year, sunlight and rain slowly turn the surface a soft silver-grey. This is called silvering, or a patina, and it is purely cosmetic. The wood underneath is unchanged and stays just as strong.
Many people love the silver look on a Lutyens teak bench or a large dining set, and choose to let it weather naturally. Others prefer to keep the golden colour. Both are fine. The choice is about looks, not about protecting the furniture.
Option 1: let it silver naturally
If you're happy for your furniture to go grey, all it needs is an occasional clean:
- Brush off leaves and dirt with a soft brush.
- Wash once or twice a year with warm water and a mild soap or a dedicated teak cleaner.
- Use a soft brush or sponge and work along the grain, then rinse with clean water and let it dry.
Avoid pressure washers. They can tear up the soft surface fibres and leave the wood rough and furry.
Option 2: keep the golden colour
To keep the honey tone, you'll need to clean the wood and then apply a teak protector or teak oil, usually once or twice a year.
- Clean first. Wash the furniture as above. If it has already silvered and you want the colour back, use a two-part teak cleaner, following the instructions on the pack.
- Let it dry completely. Give it at least a day or two of dry weather.
- Sand lightly if needed. If the surface feels rough, sand along the grain with fine sandpaper (around 180–240 grit) and brush off the dust.
- Apply the product thinly. Use a lint-free cloth or brush, working along the grain. Wipe off any excess after 15–20 minutes so it doesn't go sticky.
- Leave it to cure. Keep cushions and covers off until it's fully dry, ideally overnight.
Oil or protector?
Traditional teak oil gives a rich look but can need topping up more often, and in damp, shady UK gardens it can sometimes encourage black mould spots. Many owners now prefer a water-based teak protector, which holds the colour without leaving an oily film. Whatever you use, test it on a hidden area first and follow the maker's directions.
Important: once you start oiling, you need to keep it up. If you stop, the finish will weather unevenly before turning silver again.
Dealing with common marks
- Green algae or black spots: usually from shade and damp. Wash with a teak cleaner and a soft brush. Lightly sand any stubborn marks.
- Food and drink spills: wipe up promptly with warm soapy water. Grease from barbecues can mark the wood if left.
- Raised grain after rain: completely normal on new teak. A light sand once it's dry will smooth it again.
- Small surface cracks (checking): fine hairline cracks on end grain are natural as solid wood moves with the weather. They don't affect strength.
Looking after cushions
The seat cushions that come with our dining sets and our bench cushion are shower proof, but they last longest if you bring them in when they're not in use and store them somewhere dry. Never put damp cushions away. Let them dry fully first to avoid mildew.
A simple seasonal routine
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring | Wash, rinse and dry. Oil or apply protector if you want the golden colour. Check joints are tight. |
| Summer | Brush off debris. Wipe spills promptly. Bring cushions in overnight. |
| Autumn | Clean off leaves and algae before winter. |
| Winter | Leave out or store. See our guide to storing teak garden furniture in winter. |
Why well-made teak lasts
Care is easy when the furniture is built well. Our benches and dining sets use mortise and tenon joints, and the wood is solid, sustainable plantation teak, SVLK certified. That's why a little cleaning is usually all that's needed.
Browse our teak garden benches, dining sets and coffee tables, or call us on 07585 007242 if you have a question about looking after your furniture.