Teak Care Guide
Resource · Teak Care
The Teak Care Guide
Everything Your Furniture Needs
One page for the whole program: the annual routine, restoring weathered teak, winter prep, and the two products that do the work.
Teak asks less of you than any other outdoor furniture material. No covers, no storage, no yearly refinishing. But the small amount of care it does benefit from is worth doing right, and it starts with one decision: golden or gray.
First, Pick Your Finish
The Only Decision That Matters
Clean each spring, seal after drying. One afternoon a year holds the warm honey tone teak arrives with.
Do nothing but an occasional soapy wash. Teak weathers to an even silver-gray patina over 6 to 24 months. The wood underneath stays just as strong.
Neither choice is wrong. Gray is not neglect, and golden is not high-maintenance. The only mistake is sealing over weathered gray wood without cleaning first, which locks the discoloration in.
The Annual Routine for Golden Teak
- Clean in spring. Apply teak cleaner with a soft-bristle brush, scrub with the grain, rinse thoroughly. This lifts the winter's gray layer, dirt, and mildew.
- Dry 24 to 48 hours. Sealer needs dry wood to absorb properly.
- Seal. Apply teak protector evenly. It soaks in rather than forming a film, and slows UV weathering for a season or more.
What Never to Use
Varnish, paint, and film-forming finishes. Teak's natural oils prevent them from bonding, so they crack and peel, and removal means serious sanding. Teak oil is also unnecessary outdoors and can feed mildew.
The Products
The HiTeak Care Line
Complete Care KitBoth, one boxCleaner and protector together, sized for a typical dining set or lounge arrangement.
Restoring Weathered Teak
Fully gray, blotchy teak comes back with the same two products and a little patience: clean generously, scrub with the grain, rinse, repeat if needed, then a light fine-grit sanding on rough patches before sealing. Our step-by-step restoration guide walks through it with photos.
Season by Season
Teak stays outside year-round, including through snow. Before winter, give pieces a wash and let them dry fully; details in our winterizing guide. Through the season, wipe spills as they happen, especially oils and red wine on unsealed wood. Small surface checks at the end grain are normal as teak weathers and do not affect structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does teak furniture need care?
Once a year if you want to keep the golden color: clean, dry, seal. If you prefer the silver-gray patina, teak needs nothing beyond an occasional wash with mild soapy water.
Should I use teak oil on outdoor furniture?
No. Outdoors, oil feeds mildew and needs constant reapplication. A penetrating teak sealer protects the color without those problems.
Can I leave teak outside all winter?
Yes. Teak handles rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles without covers or storage. A wash and full dry before winter is all the preparation it needs.
My teak has small cracks at the ends. Is that a problem?
No. Small surface checks at the end grain are a normal part of teak weathering and stabilize over time. They do not affect the structural integrity of the furniture.