How to Clean Teak Furniture

Last Updated: September 30, 2022 References

Teak furniture is made out of a kind of wood that is naturally more resistant to fading and damage from the outdoors than other types of wood. For this reason, a lot of outdoor furniture is often made out of teak wood. Even though it is quite resilient, teak furniture must still be properly cared for in order to help it last longer. Generally a quick scrubbing with soap and water is enough to clean your teak furniture. But, over time, you may need to consider staining or applying oils to protect your teak furniture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Routine Cleaning

1
Start from the bottom. When cleaning your teak furniture, you should always start at the bottom and keep cleaning as you move up to the top of the furniture. This will help you avoid any streaks or irregularities caused by the cleaning solution or the cleaning process.^{[1]
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- Starting at the top may be tempting, as it is the most visible part of your teak furniture. But beginning here could damage your furniture, or make it become more unsightly.
2
Remove any dry dust and dirt. Vacuum your teak furniture or wipe it down with a dry microfiber cloth.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}

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3
Wipe down with soap and water. The best way to keep your teak furniture clean and looking great is to give it a quick wipe down with soap and water once every few weeks. This kind of maintenance will prevent discoloration and the buildup of grime and mildew. Simply apply some mild liquid soap to a sponge and wipe down the surface.^{[3]
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- You can also add a bit of bleach or vinegar to the soap to get it extra clean.
- Instead of soap, you can also use a natural all-purpose cleaner.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alicia Sokolowski
  Green Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
4
Rinse thoroughly.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Be sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly to avoid leaving any soap residue, as this could cause more buildup of grime over time. If you are cleaning your teak furniture outside, use a garden hose to rinse off the soap.
- If you are cleaning the teak furniture indoors, use a damp cloth to remove the soap residue. Be sure to frequently rinse the cloth out so that you don’t keep reapplying the soapy water.
- Let the teak furniture air dry when you finish rinsing it off.
5
Store cushions separately. The oil in the teak wood often leaks out, especially in the first few months after application, and can stain fabrics that it comes in contact with. If you have cushions on your teak furniture, you should consider storing them separately from the teak furniture itself. This will help your teak furniture look nicer for a longer period of time.
- This is especially important when it’s raining, and right after you’ve oiled the teak wood.
6
Avoid pressure washing. Pressure washing can be a great way to clean lots of surfaces, but your teak furniture shouldn’t be one of them. It may seem like a simple solution, but it can wear down the surface of the teak wood over time and cause more damage. If cracks develop in the wood, shooting water into the cracks at high velocities will cause the wood to become deformed over time.^{[6]
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- Pressure washing can also remove any finish that might be protecting the teak wood, causing more damage in the long run.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Dirt and Grime

1
Make a bleach cleaning solution. Mix together 1 c (240 mL) of chlorine bleach, 1 c (240 mL) of laundry detergent, and 1 US gal (3.8 L) of warm water. This mixture will create a cleaning solution that is strong enough to remove most dirt and stains, but gentle enough to keep from damaging your teak furniture.^{[7]
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- As always when handling bleach, be careful not to get it on any other materials.
2
Apply the bleach with a brush. Use a soft plastic brush to apply the bleach solution and gently scrub it into the teak wood. Let the solution sit for approximately 15 minutes and then rinse it off completely with water.
- Make sure to do this cleaning outdoors. If you must do it inside, use a drop cloth on the floor to avoid spilling any bleach around your home and damaging something.
3
Use a brush to scrub. Instead of power washing away all of the dirt (along with all of the protective elements), use a handheld scrubbing brush to get a controlled clean for your teak furniture. Gently scrub away any stains or imperfections in the wood. But don’t scrub too hard or you might damage the wood permanently.^{[8]
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- Getting the teak wood wet first can help the scrubbing process be more effective. And a constant flow of water will help rinse away any dirt or grime as you clean.
4
Use store-bought teak cleaner. This cleaning method is more aggressive in fighting stains and signs of wear. So it may be better suited for teak furniture that has been left outdoors for long periods of time. Simply apply the teak cleaning solution to the furniture and scrub it in with a soft brush. Generally, you should let it remain on the teak for 15 minutes or so before you rinse it off with the hose.^{[9]
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- Follow the directions for application on the bottle.
- Look for the active ingredient oxalic acid in any store-bought teak cleaner.
5
Rinse off the cleaning solution. Whether you use store-bought teak cleaner or a bleach cleaning solution, you’ll need to rinse off any remaining residue after you finish cleaning. Use a garden hose to rinse the teak off completely and let it air dry.
- If you are cleaning your teak furniture indoors, use a damp cloth to wipe off any remaining cleaner residue.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Future Damage

1
Oil the teak wood. Purchase some Tung or Linseed oil at your local home improvement store and apply it to the furniture. Use a paintbrush to make even strokes across the entire surface of the teak wood furniture. You can use a damp cloth the wipe up any excess oil as you continue painting. Continue painting until the wood seems saturated and doesn’t soak up any more of the oil.^{[10]
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- Be sure to thoroughly clean the teak furniture before you apply any oil.
2
Apply a synthetic-resin sealer. This kind of stain or sealant will help protect your teak furniture from the elements and prevent damage in the future. Purchase some sealer from your local home improvement store and apply it using a paint brush. Let the stain dry completely before using the furniture again – this usually takes about 24 hours.^{[11]
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- Be sure to get a sealer or stain that is approved for use on teak wood.
3
Re-stain the wood once every few years. As with any wood product, teak furniture will need to be re-stained once every 2-3 years. The stain loses its effectiveness over time and needs to be replaced. Once you start noticing more cracks in the teak wood, you’ll need to start thinking about staining it again to seal up those cracks and protect the wood.^{[12]
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- This step isn’t necessary if you’ve opted to keep up the natural, unstained appearance of the teak wood. However, unstained teak requires more regular cleaning.
4
Store the furniture out of direct sunlight. Nothing will make teak age and weather faster than constant, direct contact with sunlight. This will cause your teak furniture to look older and to need more maintenance and repair as time goes on. Try to put your teak furniture in a place that gets a lot of shade, at least during part of the day.^{[13]
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- Consider storing your outdoor teak furniture in a shed completely away from the sunlight during the winter months when you aren’t using it as much.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I clean teak furniture?

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto.

Alicia Sokolowski

Green Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

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I suggest using a natural all-purpose cleaner and a sponge to gently scrub the teak. Once you've cleaned it, make sure to hose it down to remove the cleaner.