In the off-season or during inclement weather, leave furniture outdoors, protect it with a cover or store it indoors
Make sure furniture & cushions are completely clean & dry before covering or storing
Store cushions separately from teak furniture for the first year since the wood’s natural oil can stain the cushions as it rises to the surface of the wood
Note: We do not recommend covering our teak furniture, but if you choose to use a furniture cover, make sure teak is completely dry & free of dirt to prevent mold
Do not store in a heated room; heat can dry out the wood & cause cracks
Periodically check fasteners & tighten as needed
As teak ages, it is normal for cracks to appear on the surface; these will not affect durability
If you want to allow the teak to weather naturally, do not use a sealant
If you want to preserve the original color of the teak, use a sealant
Allow furniture to acclimate for at least 2 weeks before sealing
Clean furniture before sealing
Follow manufacturer’s directions for applying sealer, but be sure to apply all coats on the same day
Reseal as needed, usually once per year (or twice per year if you live near saltwater
Do not use sealant on our Weathered Teak furniture – it is already treated with a stain
Use teak protector every 12–18 months to safeguard against stains such as wine, water & food
Care
Remove cushions & throw pillows before cleaning
Mix solution of 1/4 cup mild liquid soap & 1 gallon water
Use sponge or soft scrub brush to clean surface, moving in direction of wood grain
If stains remain, use fine-grit sandpaper to remove them
Rinse thoroughly with cold water
Air-dry completely before replacing cushions or protecting with cover
It is natural for teak to emit oils as it acclimates to a new environment. This is called surfacing & should only last 3–4 weeks. It is easy to clean – just follow the instructions above.
TERRA TIPS
Do not scrub back & forth – this will cause discoloration
Clean entire surface area – do not spot-clean, which will lead to uneven shading
Avoid using bleach, steel wool & hard-bristle brushes
Never clean with power washer
To remove saltwater, hose down regularly
Teak turns grey from the UV rays of the sun – not from water. If you want teak to weather slowly, keep it in the shade.
Do not use teak cleaner on finished teak, such as our Weathered Teak
Although teak itself will not mildew, dirt and other foreign substances on the wood can mildew. Mildew can also form when wet teak is covered before it has completely dried. This occurs more commonly in warm, humid climates. If this happens, follow the cleaning instructions above immediately to prevent stains that are difficult to remove.
