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A go-to both indoors and out, teak furniture has been long-valued for its beauty and durability. Not only a very dense hardwood, teak also contains natural oils that both repel water and make it unfavorable to pests and insects, including termites. Thus, teak stands as a popular choice for around the home, bringing natural warmth and low maintenance even to wet environments like bathrooms.
Although it requires very little upkeep to make your furniture last decades, teak’s unique properties come with very specific instructions. To ensure your pieces are enjoyed for years to come, we’ve answered your most frequently asked questions about teak.
From accents like teak wood vanity mirrors to statement-making teak bathroom vanities, teak products are typically sold with a natural wood finish. This means that no stain or sealer is applied, and you are left with deciding on how you would like to protect it. The great thing about teak? You don’t have to stain or seal it at all—since it produces its own natural oils that keep the wood in good condition.
When exposed to the elements or placed in direct sunlight, teak will slowly turn from its original golden honey color to a soft, silvery gray. This patina process is completely normal and serves as a natural way to protect the wood. Like all woods, teak expands and contracts in the heat and cold.
Tip: To best preserve your natural teak vanity’s original tone, position it away from direct water streams & from windows with direct sunlight.
Though natural teak is safe to leave as-is, many people choose to preserve its golden-honey pigment by applying a teak sealer. Doing so will not affect the durability or longevity of the wood, but it will help to preserve its color by slowing down the patina process. A proper teak sealer will protect the wood from the sun’s UV rays and inhibits the growth of mildew.
If you choose to seal your teak bathroom vanity or other teak pieces, be sure to use a sealer that is environmentally friendly and designed specifically for teak. Before sealing, clean the surface with a teak cleaning agent. Apply the sealer with a soft cloth; using a brush or anything abrasive is strongly discouraged.
It is not recommended to oil teak products. Since teak naturally produces its own oils, manufacturers advise against adding processed solvents into the mix.
Applying a teak oil to your furniture will help to restore its original finish, however, it will become reliant on the manual oil application if not applied every couple of months. This will ultimately slow teak’s own natural oiling process, weakening its durability if left unmaintained.
Teak should not be painted or varnished. The oil that teak naturally produces rises to the surface of the wood, which will prevent paints and varnishes from properly adhering to the wood. After a relatively short period, the paint or varnish will chip and peel, which creates an unsightly appearance. Teak is best left to patina naturally, or to be protected using a few coats of sealant.
While teak is resistant to water and rot, mildew and dirt accumulation can occur, and teak care should be performed on your furniture as needed. It is very important that you use a cleaner made specifically for teak. For a homemade cleaning solution, mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water.
Before cleaning, dampen the surface with clean water. Any cleaning solution should be applied evenly using a soft cloth or sponge and allowed to soak into the wood for 10–15 minutes. Clean the surface using a sponge, scrubbing in-line with the grain of the wood. Avoid using any metal scrubbing pads, metal brushes, or rough sponges which can scratch or splinter the wood’s surface.
When finished, lightly rinse the furniture with clean water—as high pressure will damage the wood and cause discoloration. If you plan to apply a sealer or a teak protectant, allow the teak to dry completely before applying.
Though highly resistant to moisture, a few general guidelines should be followed to prevent water stains on teak—especially if left unsealed. Once water sets into the wood, removing water stains from teak becomes tricky. It often requires bringing oils or acids into the mix, which can ruin the finish if not performed properly.
Luckily, preventing water stains is easy when addressed in a timely manner. Simply soak up water remnants with a dry cloth—always keeping one on standby to quickly wipe up inevitable splashes.
For large water spills, or for removing water stains from teak without cleaning agents, try using a hair dryer to help the moisture evaporate—though be sure to use it on the low or medium heat setting. We recommend placing a dry towel over the spot, always in between your vanity and the dryer, and checking your progress every few minutes.
Similarly to water spots, once other types of spills set into the wood, stain removal is difficult to get right and should be left to those familiar with repairing teak. To remove minor stains, perform general cleaning for teak (outlined above), with the addition of a plastic-bristled brush if needed.
For tougher stains, consulting a professional is highly recommended. Adding a little bleach or oxalic acid to the mix may be necessary—and if a stain cannot be removed with a cleaning mixture, you may resort to lightly sanding away the affected area with a fine-grit sandpaper. Keep in mind that sanding will remove any sealer or patina on the wood’s surface.
If you choose to seal your teak or purchase a product that is already coated with a clear or colored sealant, maintenance will be very similar to natural teak. You should never oil sealed teak—it's unnecessary since the sealant will already preserve the wood’s color. Applying teak oil could also reverse the sealant’s effect and promote the growth of fungus and mildew.
Sealed teak should be cleaned with an environmentally friendly cleaner formulated specifically for teak products. Resealing will be needed once per year to remain effective, however if you decide to embrace its naturally weathered gray patina, simply let the sealer fade.