If you realize the fact that teak is a premier wood for ship building, it will be clear to you why it is best for landscape furniture or patio. Durable and dense in nature, teak is a hardwood with fine graining. It is the perfect choice for your outdoor furniture due to the presence of its natural resins. The natural oil produced by teak wood helps to protect the wood in the best possible way from the sunlight, rain and exposure to the elements of nature and so teak has become the most popular choice for outdoor furniture. The inherent oil of teak makes the wood resistant to wet weather condition and strong against drying out. Moreover it helps to make the wood repellent to insects. Silica is an inherent component of the wood. Certain gemstones are also present that help to resist rotting, mold, swelling or shrinking of the wood.
You won’t be having any difficulty if you use teak wood for your patio furniture as it is very easy to take care of. This wood develops a silvery gray color coating called ‘patina’ with age. In order to get rid of the built-up dirt, this wood should be cleaned properly every year. Proper cleaning and maintenance will make it look better and will provide you usage for a lifetime. If you want to preserve your favorite teak furniture, check out the following points discussed below:
Find out whether your furniture is finely sanded
Try to find out whether your furniture is finely sanded. Sanded teak wood has a raw texture and a natural light yellow-brown color. Since, the wood is not treated while exposed to the sun it becomes a silvery gray color in due course of time. It requires no treatment except cleaning occasionally.
Clean the portion of the wood left outside
Clean the portion of the teak wood left outside with the help of a medium or soft brush and mild soapy water. You must carry out the work of cleaning after every 6 months by making use of a cleaner specially designed for cleaning wooden furniture. Try using a wood cleaner like an oil soap or any other product recommended by the manufacturer of teak furniture. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. In order to remove stains like bird deposits or built-up dirt, special developed cleaners are used. Apply the cleaner to a soft cloth and then try to wipe away the dust, stains and the dirt. However, high pressure hosing or harsh steel wood pads are usually not recommended. Sand stains with the help of fine-grade sandpaper and try to stroke lightly towards the direction of the grain.
Apply teak oil to your furniture
Place newspaper below and around your furniture and then start applying the oil. The oil helps to maintain a golden appearance of the furniture and brighten its finish. Usually a pre-oiled teak has a darker brown color compared to the sanded type. Keep in mind that applying oil does not enhance the lifespan of your furniture but prevents the stain from leaching into the grain. Oiling also slows down the process of graying as it offers protection against the UV rays of the sun. Make use of a clean brush for applying teak oil starting from the furniture top and working your way down. Try to use a cloth for rubbing the teak oil into the wood. Allow the oil to soak in for about 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe your furniture with a clean dry rag to remove the excess oil. This will help to enhance the silver patina of the furniture. The patina develops naturally after 3 to 6 months. However if you want, you will be able to speed up the process by drying up the protective oil. Buff with another cloth once the surface gets dry.
Cover the furniture with weather tarp
Cover your furniture with a special weather tarp or else move it to a sheltered area during the winter months. This will protect the furniture from extreme cold weather. If you want to avoid mildew, it will not be a good option to leave your teak furniture outside in the heavy rain or the snow. Relocate the item if it is placed in an area subject to frequent bouts of water after storms.
Follow these simple steps to take care of your outdoor teak buffet and preserve the beauty of your outdoor space in the right way. These valuable tips for caring for your teak patio furniture will surely help to spruce up your outdoor space.
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