The Basics Of Teak Furniture Care

Teak is a beautiful yet durable hardwood that has many of uses such as indoor furniture, boat decking as well as other items that need to be weather and water resistant. Because of its strength, it is not affected by the normal wear and tear that mother nature may impose upon other varieties of furniture. The reason for this durability is that teak has a very dense grain.

Teak, who's scientific name is tectona grandis, is native to Southeastern Asia. The terrain there is dry and displays undulating hills where the teak trees make their home. This hardwood resists rot, shrinking, swelling, and bending. It has a higher natural oil content and that is what preserves the wood, protecting it from mother nature and allowing it to be left outdoors for years, even decades.

Teak doesn't need a lot of maintenance, but there are a few items that you should do to keep your teak furniture in optimum condition.

Dirt and dampness can cause mildew and this can make your teak furniture look unattractive. Be aware of these conditions and clean your teak furniture accordingly. This is particularly important for garden teak furniture. You may clean your teak furniture with a mild soap and water as needed.

The best solution for cleaning your teak furniture, especially your patio teak furniture, is four units of laundry detergent or dishwasher soap and one unit of bleach. Use this solution with a soft bristled brush for the best outcome. A special teak cleaner will actually reduce the silver gray petina that teak wood will naturally show over time. If you get scratches in your teak furniture, use a fine grain sandpaper to remove them.

If you leave your teak bare and do not sand it, it will, over time, fade to a natural silver gray color. This metamorphosis affects the color of the wood only and does not, in any way, affect the sturdiness or durability of the wood or of the teak furniture. This is mainly true for outdoor teak furniture that is constantly exposed to the weather.

If you want to keep the golden brown hue and smooth surface of the wood, then you may want to sand your teak furniture from time to time. You can use teak oil and apply it to your teak wood to lengthen the period of time between sandings. However, if you do use teak oil, you must do so every three months or whatever the manufacturer instructs you to do. If you want to keep your outdoor teak furniture apprearing new with the honey brown hue and smooth finish, then some work will be necessary.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

Author: Patricia Woods is an 8 year teak furniture veteran. For more information on how you can use indoor teak furniture to enhance your home decor, please visit www.upscaleteakfurniture.com.
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