How to Care for Teak Wood Furniture & Flooring

Care of Teak Furniture

Burma Teak (Myanmar Teak) is one of the most valuable timbers, recognized for its durability and stability under severe climatic conditions. These qualities combined with good workmanship in construction guarantee long life even when left permanently outdoors. Teakwood has endured for hundreds of years as the first timber of choice in marine application and shipbuilding. The unique blend of grain and colouring can vary light to dark brown.

Natural teak will gradually weather to a silver gray colour if left outdoors. You will begin to notice the “graying” after 3 months or so, depending on the amount of sun and rain the furniture is subjected to. Total weathering will take about 6 to 9 months.

Once teak has weathered, the colour will be enhanced by an annual scrubbing with soapy water to remove accumulated dirt. Alternatively you may use a pressure hose with a fan or multi nozzle jet, where a gauge is fitted. It should be set to a pressure of 6080 bar (9001200 psi).

A distance of 6’8′ should be maintained between the nozzle and the surface to be cleaned. Applying a constant gentle jet pressure using the lowest possible setting to achieve the desired result. Due to the unique properties of teakwood your furniture will need no other care or treatment and will last for decades.

Small surface cracks (known as checks) may appear. This is a characteristic of all timber and will not affect the strength or durability of the furniture. This is due to the changes in seasoning and the wood releasing or absorbing of moisture from the atmosphere. Checking is nonstructural in nature and is not to be considered a concern of defect.

Marks from spills on a tabletop, especially if they contain fat, should be avoided where possible, as they can be difficult to remove. Any such marks will eventually be washed out and bleached by the elements. However, this process may be accelerated by allowing the stain to soak into any absorbent material applied to it for a time under pressure and then rubbing with sandpaper.

Treating with teak oil or other preservatives is not needed to protect teakwood and will not extend the life of your furniture, its use is purely cosmetic. We do not recommend oiling your furniture because it create unnecessary maintenance, but should you prefer to retain its original colour we offer the following as a guide to the best results.

Teak oil should be applied before the furniture begin to weather and change colour. Ensure the furniture is dry and free of any dust or dirt and apply one light coat of oil with a clean cloth or brush, wiping off any surplus. Teak oil should not be applied over accumulated oil or dirt as the result will be dark and the furniture will eventually blacken. If necessary, remove previous oil or dirt by vigorous scrubbing or use of pressure hose. Reoiling annually should be sufficient.When used as indoor furniture, a light coat of teak oil is recommended to keep the furniture from soiling and will last for years without need for recoat.

Care of Teak Floors

Place door mats or rugs on the inside and outside of doorways. This will help to trap dirt, grit and other abrasive materials, preventing damage to the floor through scratching, grit becoming embedded and reducing dust. Stand furniture on felt faced pads. If relocating an item, try to either to lift and carry or slide it across the floor on top of a carpet. This will protect both the wood and surface finish from the scratching and scuffing. Wipe up any spill as soon as they occur using a damp cloth. Taking quick action can prevent any staining of the finish or the actual wood.

The ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause the sheen of the floor to dull. Where possible hang lace curtains and occasionally close drapes when a room is not in use. This helps to prevent such a reaction. The quickest and most efficient way to clean the hardwood floor is to use a damp mop, either a vee sweeper or a push mop. A little extra water will do no harm occasionally for deeper cleaning, as long as the floor is properly sealed. Never use a wet mop, excessive surface water can cause the finish to flatten, and may eventually penetrate and damage the wood.

Cylinder vacuum cleaners are most effective tool for cleaning the hardwood floors. They are compact and lightweight and, because they only use suction extremely powerful. These vacuums also have fittings specially designed for hard flooring, they are more effective at removing dust and grit than standard accessories, and are gentler on the floor.

Use brooms and brushes made with fine bristle and exploded heads. They will trap un wanted surface residue without catapulting it all over the floor and are easier to keep free of residue. This carry the additional benefit air suspended
dust whilst cleaning is in progress. Try to avoid wearing aggressive footwear on the wooden floor. It can cause unnecessary damage. High heels and shoes with quarter tips are particular offenders. Use only the correct wax treatment for each particular floor. Never over wax. Apply wax to areas of reduced traffic on less frequent basis. Always try buffing a floor first. This may be all that it needs to lift the surface shine and restore the luster. Beware to avoid treatments intended for non wood floors. These can cause a floor to become slippery and appear dull prematurely.

Employing a humidifier through the winter months will help control condensation. In turn, this will help reduce shrinkage and wood movement, leading to a more stable and quieter floor. Humidifiers also help control the buildup
of mold indoors, another source of possible chest problems.