If your teak outdoor setting is starting to look a little grey or has a few dark spots from winter weather, don’t panic. A common myth is that weathered teak is “ruined”. It’s really just the timber doing what nature intended. 

Teak is an incredibly resilient wood; you don’t need an engineering degree or an endless schedule of maintenance to keep it looking great. Taking care of it is actually quite simple once you know a few basic principles.

Why Teak Is A Popular Material

Teak is dense, heavy and packed with natural oil and rubber. These properties act like a built-in defence against pests, warping and moisture. Unlike cheaper timbers that split or rot when things get damp, teak doesn’t wildly expand and contract, making it a very practical long-term investment for your home. 

Is teak furniture suitable for outdoor use?

Absolutely. In fact, many consider it the gold standard for outdoor timber. The natural oils inside the wood repel water. Preventing the deep rot that destroys other outdoor settings. It can withstand the harsh Australian sun and sudden downpours better than almost any other natural material. 

The Great Debate: Oil, Seal, or Let It Grey

When it comes to how to care for teak outdoor furniture, you’ve got two choices: preserve the golden-brown colour, or let it transition naturally into a classic silver patina. 

If you leave your furniture untreated, the sun’s UV rays will slowly bleach the top layer of wood. This greying only happens in the sun. It’s purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the structural integrity of the timber. Many people prefer this elegant, low-maintenance look. 

If you prefer the rich warm, freshly cut look, you can apply high-quality teak oil. Remember though, timing is everything. Possibly the biggest mistake to make is applying oil before a thorough clean of the wood, which permanently locks dirt and dust directly into the grain. 

Note: We don’t recommend synthetic sealers or varnishes for our teak ranges. These coatings create a rigid barrier that traps moisture beneath the surface, causing it to crack, peel and trap damp patches. 

Routine Cleaning for Outdoor Teak Furniture

The best way to clean outdoor teak furniture on a regular schedule doesn’t need a whole lot of effort. A quick wash down once or twice a year will keep dust, pollen and sap from building up. 

1. Wipe away any loose leaves, dirt or debris with a soft brush or dry cloth. 
2. Mix a bucket of warm water with a few squirts of mild dish soap. 
3. Use a soft-bristled brush or a non-scratch sponge to gently scrub the wood, working in the direction of the timber grain. 
4. Hose the setting down with clean, low-pressure garden water and allow it to dry completely in the sun.

Deep Clean (When It’s Dirty, Greying, or Has Mould)

If your setting spent winter under a tree or has developed stubborn black spots, it’s time for a proper reset. The best way to clean teak furniture when it’s heavily weathered is to use a dedicated teak cleaner. 

These formulas lift deep-seated dirt out of the pores without stripping the wood’s internal oils. Follow the manufacturer’s scrub with a firm (non-metallic) brush and rinse well. 

Does indoor teak furniture require deep cleaning?

No. Caring for indoor teak furniture is a breeze, because it isn’t exposed to the elements. It won’t develop mould or turn grey because it’s shielded from rain and direct UV exposure. 

For indoor pieces, a light dust and a wipe down with a damp cloth is usually all it takes. To keep the timber nourished, indoor pieces only really need oiling once a year.

How to Restore Colour to Weathered Teak

If your setting has gone grey but you miss the classic, warm glow, redoing teak furniture could be for you. 

First, clean the wood thoroughly using a deep teal cleaner to remove any surface oxidation and mould. Once the wood is completely dry, give it a light sand with fine-grit sandpaper to reveal the fresh golden layers beneath. Wipe away the sanding dust and apply a thin, even coat of premium teak oil with a clean cloth or brush.  

Teak Root Furniture: Special Considerations

Teak root and regular teak wood have slightly different properties that’ll change how you look after them. 

At Prime Factory Outlet, our teak root pieces are cut directly from the unique trunk and root junction of the tree. This means each piece is entirely one-of-a-kind, featuring natural bark edges, intricate grain patterns and unique character marks. 

When you’re researching how to care for teak furniture, keep the characteristics of the root pieces in mind:

• The natural bark edges are part of the raw beauty of the piece, but they might shed small fragments over time. This is completely normal. 
• You’ll notice organic grooves, twists and crevices. These are natural fissures, not structural cracks and they do not mean your furniture is splitting apart. 
• Use a soft, dry paint brush to flick dust out of any deep organic hollows in the root where a regular cloth can’t reach.

What Not to Do

There are a couple of common mistakes you should avoid to protect your furniture from an expensive slip-up:

• No pressure washers. High pressure water strips away the wood’s soft fibres, leaving behind a permanently rough, splintered texture.
• No bleach or vinegar. Harsh household chemicals break down the wood’s natural protective oils, leaving it dried and brittle. 
• No steel wool. Fine metal shards can break off, get trapped in the grain and leave permanent stains all over your timber. 
• No outdoor varnish. Never apply heavy varnishes or polyurethane to outdoor teak. The wood needs to breathe;  trapping it under a layer of plastic-like material ensures the coating will peel and flake off within months.

When to Replace vs Restore

Because teak is incredibly dense, it almost never actually dies. If your furniture looks silver, dark or weather-stained, it’s just resting under a cosmetic layer of oxidation. An afternoon spent cleaning and re-oiling can easily bring a 20-year-old table back to life. 

You only need to look at replacement if the timber has suffered severe structural damage (like deep, unnatural splits through structural joints). For everything else, restoration is the way to go.

Teak Furniture at Prime Factory Outlet

If you’re looking to add the timeless beauty of teak of your home or garden, come see us at Prime Factory Outlet.

We source high-quality, durable indoor and outdoor furniture directly from our factories across Asia, allowing us to bring them straight to our Perth warehouse at unbeatable, factory-direct pricing. Whether you want a classic coffee table or statement-making teak root bench, we’ve got new stock arriving every week. 

Drop by our O’Connor warehouse at 376 South Street to explore the range in person and find the perfect piece for your home.