TEAK GARDEN FURNITURE MAINTENANCE GUIDE

As we head through another typical UK summer with the weather blazing hot one day and raining the next, it gives us a chance to think about those maintenance tips for your teak garden furniture. As we all know teak has fantastic natural properties that make it simply perfect for outdoor furniture. Its high oil content and natural resistance to any insects or pests make it a brilliant timber to use for garden furniture. But from time to time there are a few steps that can be taken to ensure you get the most amount of time and usage out of your teak furniture. Even with the most basic level of maintenance, teak can not only look beautiful but last for many years to come.

It is important to note at this point that from time to time with the changing weather conditions we experience, you may see small cracks appear in your teak garden furniture, especially on the end points of your furniture. This is a completely natural process known as end grain checking. This is caused by the wood expanding and contracting caused by the changing atmospheric conditions. If these cracks become a real issue, then they can be repaired with a PVA glue/sealant applied to the cracks with the excess wiped away and allowed to dry. The area can then be sanded with fine sand paper to keep the area looking as good as it should be.

One job that can really help to prolong the life of your teak garden furniture is to ensure it stays as clean as possible. Over a period of time dirt and grime can build. Keeping your teak clean can ensure it is not damaged from the build up of this dirt and grime. Teak is probably one of the best hardwoods for outdoor use due to its impervious nature to heat, humidity and changes in moisture levels. With regards to the ever-changing British weather, that can only be a massive bonus! Keeping your teak clean is not as challenging as it seems, all you will need is a scrubbing brush, bucket filled with warm soapy water and a bit of dry sunny weather to do the job in. Using the scrubbing brush and the soapy water, the teak can be cleaned from top to bottom trying to only scrub with the grain if you can to avoid any undue damage. Once cleaned it can be rinsed with a hosepipe on a low and slow setting.

At this point I must mention the use of pressure washers. I have personally used my own pressure washer on my teak garden furniture but I can adjust the pressure to a very low setting. This is not to say you cannot use a pressure washer but you just need to be careful that you do not damage the surface of the wood if you use too much pressure close to the surface.

After cleaning, a treatment can be applied if so desired. There are many options out there to protect/seal your teak garden furniture from oils to sealers. A simple teak oil will help to add essential nutrients to the teak to help prolong its life and sealers are available to give an added level of protection t your teak garden furniture. There are many products and options available, the only advice we would give is to ensure the product is compatible with teak and that all application guidelines are followed to ensure no undue damage is done to your teak furniture. Importantly, the teak patio furniture should be clear of loose debris and completely dry before you apply a treatment, otherwise you could trap moisture and dirt leading to unsightly stains.  

Finally, on some of our teak garden furniture such as our folding armchairs, benches and fixed garden tables there are small bolts and screws used to assemble these items. On our furniture these are mostly small allen key bolts which through normal usage can become loose over time. Simply taking the correct size allen key and ensuring these are kept secure will also help to prolong your teak garden furniture and limit any undue damage that can occur from these working loose.

Teak garden furniture maintenance may sound like a chore but through a few simple steps that don’t take hours to complete your teak outside furniture will be as good as new in no time. For any help or questions you may have then please drop us an email to hello@ottena.co.uk and we will be happy to help the best way we can.