Making Teak Furniture Last: How to Get the Most Mileage Out of Your Teak Furniture

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So you consider yourself a real person of value and luxury, after purchasing the highest quality of outdoor furnishings: teak furniture. Sure, you could have settled for resin or cedar, but you had to have the best of the best. You wanted people to know that your patio was the place to be during the dog days of summer. When people step out on your outdoor paradise, you want them to know you are a person who doesn?t dispose of their money ? you take pride in everything you have, and want it to be apparent in everything you do.

But as time marches on, the weathering of your teak furniture is inevitable. Protect it, treat it, and cover it however you want ? its still going to grow old as time goes on. That beautiful golden brown you started with will eventually fade away to a dark gray, and can eventually start to spawn splinter, which are never fun for you or your guests.

Just because your teak furniture looks a little worn doesn?t mean that your investment is shot and never usable again. Rather, it just means you have to take a new approach to your outdoor investment. And treating it now, instead of waiting for next season, will ensure that you get the best color and return from your teak furniture for years to come.

Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I don?t know if I can stress that enough as you look for new ways to take care of your teak furniture. The best way, by far, is to take care of it as it grows old. This is done by doing all the normal preventative measures for any of your outdoor furnishings: make sure that your outdoor furniture is covered during the wet months, and make sure pools of water are not allowed to gather on the wood. As the wood absorbs the water, the moisture can ruin your teak, leaving you with a nice pile of teak firewood in the end.

As the sunny weather season begins, its time to bring out your teak furnishings once more. But before you pull out your favorite table and chairs, make sure they are treated correctly to stand up to everything the outdoors can throw at it. Many manufacturers make special teak oils and teak protectors, to help keep the color in your furniture throughout the year. By applying this at the beginning of the spring season, you will be protecting your investment from the elements, keeping the rich golden brown color you fell in love with when you first considered buying teak.

If your teak patio furniture continues to turn from brown to gray because of the elements, it is time to consider giving it a good scrubbing. Like many other outdoor furnishings, a mixture of a mild cleaning agent (such as dish soap) and warm water will keep the dirt and debris off your tables and chairs. Always use a mild cleaner ? an abrasive cleaner could damage the natural finish of your teak furniture.

If treating and cleaning your teak outdoor furniture doesn?t work, you always have the option of sanding it down, to once again restore that beautiful finish. When sanding down your teak furniture, always use a fine-grit sandpaper; anything too abrasive will destroy the natural beauty of the wood. Remember to always sand along the grain, and never across. This will ensure a finish that is smooth to the touch throughout the year. And once complete, never stain or paint your teak furniture. Because of the natural oils in the wood, painting or staining teak will not only destroy the wood for future projects, but will also look poorly in the long run.

Like any investment, teak outdoor furniture can look good throughout the year with the proper care. By following these steps, you will ensure the enjoyment you and your family will get for generations to come.

Joseph Kortez is a freelance writer with diverse interests including home and garden, outdoor furniture and backyard living. A media professional, his work has been featured on CNN and the CBS Evening News. He currently writes for Outdoor Furniture Plus.

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