The most durable wood product that I’ve found is Teak Wood. It is considered best for outdoor furniture because it is waterproof, resistant to sun damage, and according to my research, makes a good choice for any climate.
If you want your teak wood outdoor furniture to last as long as possible, you need to abide by simple maintenance of cleaning and possibly oiling, depending upon the color you want to see your wood become.
Cleaning and maintenance of teak wood are minimal, to say the least. But, I’ll be happy to go over everything I know with you, below.
Teak wood is used for boat building if that gives you an idea about durability – I mean, boats have to be waterproof, sturdy, and resistant to UV damage. Teak is all of these as well as mold and mildew resistant.
It has a natural oil inside of it that repels water. This keeps the wood from warping or becoming brittle. It also acts as a repellent to unwanted insects. It also does not take on rust or breakdown when connected to metal.
Teak Wood has a couple of interesting natural “looks” that can complement your outdoor living space. It begins as a brown-honey-colored wood and if you seal it, it will remain this. Or you can let it age naturally into a weathered grey color. Either look of the teak wood outdoor furniture is beautiful and can complement any outdoor space.
How Often Should Teak Wood Patio Furniture Be Cleaned?
How often you clean depends upon how you want your wood to look and also what kind of climate you live in.
First off, you’ll need to seal the wood if you want it to remain that brown-gold color it comes in. Then, you’ll need to wash it and re-seal it every year. In between, simply wipe, blow, or spray off dirt and debris.
I had my little stool inside of our walk-in shower, so I cleaned and then resealed it every 3 months. You may want to consider every 6 months if you live in a high humidity area.
If you want the teak wood outdoor furniture to reach that silver-gray color, you don’t seal it and you wash it every 6 months with a special teak water-based cleanser.
What is the Best Way to Clean Your Teak Wood Outdoor Furniture?
Again, this depends on how you want your teak wood to look. If you want to keep the original brown color of the wood, you’ll need to do a bit more work. After cleaning the surface of the wood with a dry cloth to remove any debris, you need to seal it. That means to apply a specific teak wood sealant the first time and then after one hour, do it again. You can spray it on, but I used a clean cloth to apply it.
Normally, if you’re using the furniture outdoors and the conditions are mild, you can get away with resealing your teakwood once per year. If you plan to have it in an area that has a lot of moisture or humidity then you will need to reseal it quarterly.
If you want to allow the natural aging effect that turns teak wood silver-grey, that’s fine, too. Just don’t seal it. You simply clean your teak wood furniture every 6 months with the teak-cleaner of choice.
Moisten the surface of the wood before cleaning it. Use clean water to do so. Then, scrub everything cleaner before rinsing it with clean water and allowing it to dry. You can find multiple brands of teak cleaner and teak oil out there. I got mine from the same company I purchased my stool from. But you can find it at several hardware stores or online stores like Amazon.
Never use harsh abrasives or pressure-wash teak wood. You’ll really do more harm to the wood than good in cleaning. So, no metal scrubbers, no hard brushes, and no pressure-washing.
Due to the density of the wood and the natural oils and resins present, good quality teak wood furniture is extremely mold and mildew resistant. However, if you let something sit in the same place long enough, especially if there are leaves and debris lying dormant in it and the climate is right for it – mold and mildew can happen.
First off, perform your regular cleaning ritual. You want to see if that does the trick, after all, the mold and mildew may not have had time to really take deep hold in the wood.
If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to be sure the furniture is someplace that won’t be bothered by bleach (away from painted surfaces or rugs). Next, simply repeat the normal cleaning process but with 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Again, do not use harsh brushes or anything abrasive. After sitting like that for a few minutes, the furniture will need to be rinsed with clean water and dried.
This should do it, but if there is still some mold left, sanding and then redoing all of the above should work.
How Long Will My Teak Wood Outdoor Furniture Last?
Some sources claim that it can last upward of 75 years, but I’m going to be modest and give it a 25+ year rating. And the only reason it may last longer would be the care that you are willing to give it. Where does this stack up to other outdoor patio furniture materials? Go here to find out.
Sure, it’s a hearty material, but if youcover it when not in use and protect it from constant weather and UV light, it’s going to last longer.
Final Thoughts
Teak wood outdoor furniture is definitely one of my favorite pieces offurniture for outdoor use. It’s got that natural vibe to it. It’s also usually big, comfy furniture and I love big and comfy! If you go with teak wood as your choice of furniture, the maintenance can be annoying, but well worth it for the longevity.
"Growing up a country-girl means you enjoy the outdoors as much as possible, and no matter where you go in life, the outdoors is always part of you. I began doing research on things I wanted to do to make my outdoor space my own, no matter where we moved. And that research led me to write this blog to share with you!"
