Teak is one of the strongest and most durable hardwoods available. It's great for porches, decks, and outdoor patio furniture. Because it is weather- and age-resistant, teak furniture needs very minimal upkeep. Your one concern as teak ages? Mildew. So keeping up with a regular cleaning and treatment schedule is key. Check out our easy tips for oiling teak and how to clean teak furniture in our guide below.

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Table of Contents

Oiling Teak Furniture
How to Clean Teak Furniture
How to Oil Teak Furniture
How to Seal Teak Furniture

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Oiling Teak Furniture

Teak is usually available either finely sanded (finished) or unfinished. Unfinished teak is naturally a light golden color; finished teak is a dark honey gold. Unfinished teak will eventually weather to a silver-gray tone – a process called patination.

If you aren't about that gray color and want your teak to stay gold, you can oil it or sand it and seal it with teak sealant. Finishing oil will retain the color, but over time it dries out your teak's natural oils and can quickly lead to deterioration. This is why we prefer to sand and seal teak furniture instead. Whether you choose to oil or seal your teak furniture, you'll need to start with a clean slate. Learn how to clean teak furniture below.

How to Clean Teak Furniture

Teak is naturally resistant to mold and rot. Unfortunately, mold and mildew can still form on the surface of the wood over time. To remove mildew and other natural stains (your child's markers, sticky margaritas, etc.), follow these easy steps.

What You Need

Bucket
Dish detergent
1 cup bleach or white vinegar
1 gallon water
Soft plastic brush

Step 1: Clear a space.

Start by cleaning up your space and removing anything you don't want getting wet. If you're cleaning interior teak furniture, lay down a few cloths and make sure your space is well ventilated.

Step 2: Rinse off your furniture.

Using a hose, rinse your furniture. Don't use a power washer – it's a little too harsh.

Step 3: Use a cleaning solution.

Gently scrub your furniture with a mild cleaning solution. You can make your own by combining a small squeeze of dish detergent, one cup of bleach or white vinegar, and one gallon of water. Teak cleaner is available in stores, but be wary of the chemicals, because they can be harsh on your skin. And only use your soft plastic brush, as a metal brush can damage the wood's surface.

Step 4: Let the furniture sit for ~15 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse with water.

Step 6: Let it dry.

Pro Tip:

Place your teak furniture where the sun hits it. Sunlight prevents the growth of mold and mildew.

How to Oil Teak Furniture

Teak oil treatments are made with tung or linseed oil and solvents. There are also specialized teak oils made to protect against UV rays and mildew.

What You Need

Sandpaper
Teak oil
Bristle brush
Clean, lint-free cloth

Step 1: Clean your furniture and let it dry.

Follow our steps above to get your furniture clean and ready.

Step 2: Sand, sand, sand!

Remove prior treatments by sanding down your furniture.

Step 3: Apply the first coat of teak oil.

Use your natural bristle brush or lint-free cloth.

Step 4: Wipe off the excess oil.

Use your lint-free cloth for this.

Step 5: Let it dry completely.

This can take between 2 and 4 hours.

Step 6: Add more coats.

Do this until the oil is no longer being absorbed into the wood. Depending on the state of your furniture, you might need four or five coats of oil.

Step 7: Repeat when your furniture dries out or grays.

Oil should be reapplied every two or three months. Before each application, clean your teak furniture and let it dry completely.

How to Seal Teak Furniture

Teak is full of natural oils that keep it strong and durable. To restore the color without using oil, follow these steps.

What You Need

Sandpaper
Teak sealant
Spray bottle
Clean, lint-free cloth or foam brush

Step 1: Clean your furniture and let it dry.

Follow our steps above to get your furniture clean and ready.

Step 2: Leave your furniture exposed for two weeks.

This allows the grain to open up which helps the sealant properly adhere.

Step 3: Sand your furniture gently.

Gently sand your furniture until you expose the honey color underneath the gray.

Step 4: Apply the first coat of teak sealant.

Use your spray bottle and foam brush or lint-free cloth.

Step 5: Let it dry completely

Give it about an hour.

Step 6: Apply a second coat of teak sealant and let it dry.

Step 7: Repeat seasonally.