How to Restore Teak Garden Furniture

Anyone that invests in teak garden furniture can expect it last for some time.

A hard-wearing wood, teak garden furniture can be left outside without worrying about damage from the rain or sun, while the strength of the wood ensures it doesn’t lose it shape over time.

Simply put, teak is an incredible material for outdoor furniture as it almost guarantees longevity.

Short of accidently breaking it - which would take some effort in any case - there is almost no reason teak furniture cannot survive decades in your garden.

However, as such as long-lasting material, teak does see some minor changes to its appearance. This is rarely viewed as a bad thing, with many owners of teak furniture opting to keep the sliver-patina tone of older teak, although some do prefer the natural golden-honey shade.

The changes are purely aesthetic, as darker teak is in no way weaker. Should you prefer the natural colour of teak but your furniture as changed, there are some simple ways to restore it. Some people also want to restore their teak furniture as it has become weatherworn, as moulds can develop on the surface when left uncleaned.

Thankfully, restoring teak garden furniture couldn’t be easier. Here’s everything you need to know:

Avoid using teak oil

Teak oils sold by retailers aren’t the same as teak oil present in the wood. Some people don’t realise this, and buy it to restore the brighter colour of their furniture. While this does work, the effects are only temporary, as the greying will eventually return.

It also results in more mildew in many instances, while black spots can also develop on the surface because of store-bought teak oil. So, it’s best to avoid using teak oil to restore your furniture!

Sanding the surface

The simplest way to restore the surface of teak garden furniture is to give it a light sand. Using 80-grit sand paper, slowly sand down the surface of the effected furniture. This helps to remove the wear-worn surface and the patina colour, as the teak below the surface is still a honey-colour.

After using a teak cleaner (see below) you might want to use a finer sandpaper for a really smooth finish to the surface.

Cleaning the surface

To really make the surface of your newly sanded teak furniture pop, take the time to give it a good clean. Start by rinsing the surface area after you sand it down, after which a suitable teak clean should be worked into the surface using a bristled brush.

Leave for a short while and then rinse off with water. If you can, do this on a dry day so the furniture can be left outside to dry.