How to Take Care of Teak Furniture
Teak is one of our favorite materials for styling outdoor spaces. Versatile, natural, eco-friendly, and beautiful, teak is used for everything from rocking chairs to tables and makes fantastic side tables and even storage. The best part is how teak is naturally weather-resistant and even patinas to a luxurious gray over the seasons. But if you have this furniture on your deck, you’ll want to take care of it to ensure its longevity and lasting beauty. Read this quick guide to learn more about teak furniture, how to take care of it, and discover some of our favorite teak furniture pieces.
Why Teak for Outdoor Dining & Lounging
While there are plenty of recycled plastic and aluminum furniture makers like Fermob and HOUE out there who more than meet the brief, teak takes the lead when it comes to true longevity and versatility. Teak, by nature, is lightweight and is easily shaped and carved into any silhouette while staying strong. The cherry on top is that teak is resistant to mold, rot, and pest damage. Of course, various conditions can change this resilience, but overall, teak is a safe bet if you’re looking for outdoor furniture that lasts.
This wood stays functional and fresh for years with an average lifespan of up to 100 years. Its natural oil automatically maintains the finish and health of the wood for years. However, time will have its effects, so if you want to keep the wonderful golden-brown color, you’ll need to give your teak outdoor furniture some TLC.
How to Take Care of Teak Furniture
This is a no-nonsense material so it’s incredibly easy to take care of and maintain. Below are a few steps you can take to ensure your furniture is ready for outdoor lounging.
- Keep your teak out of damp areas. The first thing to remember is that teak, while strong, is wood and a natural material. This means it can suffer under less-than-ideal conditions. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain is humid and damp, be sure your furniture gets lots of sun and is able to dry out completely. This will help prevent any mossy or slimy growths.
- Clean. Next, you’ll want to clean your teak furniture. Start with a soft-bristle brush, some dish detergent, water, and little bit of vinegar. Remove cushions and wet the furniture with a hose and then brush the soap, dish detergent, and water mixture over every surface removing dirt and grime. Rinse and let dry in the sun. If you like, you can use the Auro Garden Wood Cleaner as an additional treatment for your teak.
- Oil. Oiling teak keeps the wood fresh and supple and helps it maintain its weather-resistant quality. Start by lightly sanding the surfaces of your teak furniture to remove previous treatments and any imperfections. Then, use a high-quality teak wood oil and a clean, lint-free cloth to massage in the oil over the entire piece. Let the piece sit in the sun again to soak up the oil.
For the best maintenance routine for your teak furniture, repeat the process every few months. The best time to clean and oil your teak furniture is in the spring when you pull it out of storage and at the end of the summer or mid-fall before you store it away for the winter.
Our Favorite Outdoor Teak Furniture
Finally, our favorite subject: the teak pieces we love the most in our outdoor teak collection. These pieces stand out as exceptional uses of teak and the most functional outdoor furniture for your outdoor living pleasure.
F-Chair Outdoor Lounge Chair
One of our favorite Gubi chairs, the F-Chair Outdoor Lounge Chair definitely stands out in the crowd. Extra wide in everything from its backrest to armrests, the F-Chair provides a comfortable recline and a woven cord seat that provides natural cushion without extra pillows.
Frida Outdoor Dining Chair
The round silhouette of the Frida Outdoor Dining Chair is irresistible and instantly recognizable, making it one of the most impactful outdoor chairs in our collection. Using tightly-strung polypropylene rope, the Frida Outdoor chair provides a comfortable sit and an overall weather-resistant construction that looks sleek and modern at any outdoor dining table.
Selandia Table 75
The Selandia Table 75 is crafted from 100% FSC-certified teak wood and upgrades the outdoor table concept with a foldable construction. Perfect for smaller patios and balconies, the Selandia Table has an elegant presence and looks fantastic paired with the Selandia Armchair.
Virkelyst Table – High
The contemporary elegance of the Virkelyst Table works perfectly for both intimate family gatherings and formal entertaining. Natural teak works with classic Scandinavian furniture construction to add clean architectural presence and Danish functionality to modern dining rooms, outdoor terraces, or kitchen areas.
Side Table L45
Designers Maria Håård and Jan-Olof Ågren created a fully recyclable side table with the teak and steel combination of the Side Table L45. This two-level side table offers plenty of space, durability, and longevity in both functionality and tyle.
BK14 Sunbed
A classic piece from 1959, this true mid-century Scandinavian sunbed from designer Bodil Kjær is a masterclass is bold construction balanced by simplicity. Squared and sprawling, the BK14 Sunbed offers endless comfort and plenty of space to layout in the sun or curl up with a good book in the fresh air. Pair with the CU BK14 Cushion for even more comfort.
George Teak Bench
The George Teak Bench uses reclaimed teak wood to create a rustic and warm seat perfect for gardens and picnic tables. Using traditional Scandinavian construction techniques and joinery, Sika Design captures the hygge experience of enjoying the great outdoors and basking in nature in a simple bench. That’s the magic of Nordic design standards and discipline.
Combine Cushion Box
Slatted teak surrounded the aluminum frame of the Combine Cushion Box to create the perfect outdoor storage box. Stuff it full of chair cushions or fill it with towels, either way, the Combine box will keep everything safe from the elements when they aren’t needed for outdoor adventures.
Why We Choose Teak (and You Should, Too)
We at HORNE choose teak for its durability and expansive lifespan in both usefulness and style. This timeless material is a beautiful homage to nature right on your patio. It blends in with its surroundings, stands out when shaped into amazing teak chair and table silhouettes, and offers comfort to all who need to relax and dine in the great outdoors.
Our favorite part is that designers have been using teak for decades, giving us fantastic teak furniture for both the indoors and outdoors that can be appreciated by generations. To ensure your teak lasts for your children and grandchildren to enjoy, a little TLC is necessary. Purchase teak, love it, clean it, and oil it, and then spend summers enjoying your furniture in every way.
Explore related collections, including Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Tables, and Outdoor Chairs, and visit our design guides for a broader point of view.
