Teak is widely regarded as the finest timber for outdoor furniture, and for good reason. It's naturally dense, rich in oils, and highly resistant to warping, rot, and insects. With the right care, teak furniture will last decades and only improve with age.

Teak and Its Natural Changes

How much maintenance your teak needs depends largely on how exposed it is to the elements. The good news is that teak is forgiving - you can choose to maintain its warm honey tones, or simply let it age naturally. Both are valid choices.

Left untreated, teak will gradually weather to a beautiful silver-grey patina. This is a completely natural process and many people love the aged, driftwood look it creates. Naturally weathered teak can be cleaned easily with a soft nylon bristle brush and mild detergent.

If you'd prefer to restore or maintain the original honey tones, Golden Care products make the process straightforward. Read our teak maintenance guide here.

Care and Maintenance

For furniture kept undercover:

• Wipe down with a damp cloth regularly to remove teak dust and surface dirt.
• Apply a timber sealer spray to seal the surface and prevent watermarks from spills, condensation, or rain.

For furniture exposed to full weather:

To maintain the natural honey tones, use the Golden Care three-step system:

• Golden Care Teak Cleaner to remove dust, grime, dirt, and any mould.
• Golden Care Teak Protector to waterproof the timber and lock in the colour.
• Golden Care Teak Shield to apply a protective coating that keeps the honey tones for 1-2 years.

If you're happy for the teak to silver off naturally, a timber sealer alone will help prevent watermarks. And if watermarks don't bother you, teak genuinely requires no maintenance at all - it will simply age gracefully on its own.

Using furniture covers during periods when the furniture is not in use will minimise cleaning and extend the life of the timber.

It is recommended to check and tighten all fittings every six months to keep frames secure and prevent damage to the joins. For new timber, tighten all fittings six weeks after delivery as the timber settles.

Regular Cleaning

Before and after dining or entertaining, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth is all that's needed to remove dust and surface dirt. This simple habit goes a long way in keeping your teak looking its best.

Troubleshooting

Mould spots: mix vinegar and water at a 7:3 ratio and apply to the affected area, or use a strong solution of Napisan. Allow to sit briefly before scrubbing gently with a soft brush and rinsing well.