Teak does not need to be protected. It is truly a unique wood that if left in its natural state, is virtually maintenance-free. Teak can be left outside year round, surviving even the most extreme weather conditions. There really is no other wood that has the same unique set of properties as teak, making it the gold standard for outdoor furniture (as well as sailboats).



Over time untreated Teak furniture which is exposed to the sun will patina and turn a beautiful silvery, grey color. This process is purely cosmetic and does not harm the strength or quality of the wood in any way. Many people prefer to leave their teak furniture "bare" and let it age gracefully. There is nothing wrong with this choice; in fact the graying is actually a protective skin on top of the wood. If you decide to go this route, it is not a permanent decision. You can always decide later to remove the gray by cleaning your teak furniture with a Teak Cleaners.

However, if your goal is to preserve the natural honey color of your teak furniture or to darken the color of the wood, we recommend using a Teak Sealer. SEMCO is a good example of a sealer that is specially formulated for outdoor teak furniture and boats. Teak Sealers contains UV protection to inhibit the sun from graying the furniture as well as a mildewcide to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the surface of your furniture. Teak Sealers can be applied to new teak or old teak furniture after it has been cleaned with a Teak Cleaner to remove the gray.

Applying a sealer couldn't be simpler. On the first application, allow the wood to stand in the sun for a week or two to allow the wood grain to open. Spray on a coat of teak sealer and rub it in with a rag. Apply two coats in this manner, getting all surfaces, top, bottom, sides and between any slats. Be sure to protect the area underneath the furniture with a drop cloth or newsprint. After the first application, reapply teak sealer every year by cleaning the wood with mild detergent and water and spraying and rubbing in a coat only on the surfaces that get sun exposure.

After your furniture is sealed, very little care is needed to preserve the finish. Occasional washing with soap and water will remove normal soil. Oils from foods, wine, coffee and some condiments will penetrate the Sealer and may leave a stain.

We do not recommend using a varnish or water sealer on any Teak furniture. Products such as varnish and polyurethane will peel and chip and are all but impossible to remove without vigorous sanding. Teak is protected by its own natural oils that migrate to the surface of the wood and make the wood virtually impervious to water.

We also do not recommend oiling teak furniture. First off, the wood already has all the natural oil it needs in the wood. But more importantly, oiling your teak will not prevent the wood from graying, unless you continue to sand and re-apply the oil every season, thereby creating lots of unnecessary maintenance and hassle. Adding oil to teak will also very often result in mold and mildew growing on your furniture (which looks like black spots) that will require washing your furniture with bleach and soap followed by a rigorous sanding to remove.

And finally, never use a pressure washer or steel wool on teak furniture. These items will damage or discolor the surface of the wood.

If your furniture has been allowed to weather or is stained by food or other marks or if you wish to remove the Teak Sealer and start again, there are several Teak Cleaners on the market that will restore the wood to like new condition.

When teak is exposed to the elements without finish, has been oiled or is stained with food or other stains the surface becomes dirty gray and mildew often develops. A Teak Cleaner will also remove the effects of mildew, weathering and food and water stains.

You may clean your teak furniture at any time during the life of the furniture when cleaning back to the original unfinished wood is desired. However, it is not recommended that this type of cleaning be employed on a regular basis as it may contribute to the wood becoming rougher over time.

So, as you now know, Teak really is quite easy to care for and whether you choose to apply a sealer or just leave it turn gray Teak furniture is sure to give you many years of enjoyment with only a minimal amount of care.