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Teak wood maintenance
Everything You Need to Know About Cleaning, Protecting and Maintaining Teak Wood
What Is Teak Wood?
Teak is a strong, natural material – ideal for long-term outdoor use. The teak tree grows slowly, giving the wood a high density and natural oil content. This helps prevent drying out and extends its lifespan.
Teak is also naturally resistant to rot, which makes it easier to maintain. At Life, we value sustainability – that’s why all our teak garden furniture is SVLK- or FSC®-certified.
Garden furniture with teak wood
Use the Right Care Products
For teak maintenance, it's best to use our specially developed cleaning products. Avoid harsh cleaners such as vinegar, baking soda, bleach or chlorine, as these can damage the wood.
Also avoid using green soap, as residue left behind may lead to mould growth. Never use a pressure washer – it can damage the surface layer and make it rough, which encourages mould to form.
The Charm of Teak: From Warm Brown to Stylish Grey
Teak is known for its timeless look and natural durability. But did you know there are different finishes, each with their own unique character? Whether you prefer a warm wood tone or a bold, weathered grey, the right care helps you maintain the look that best suits your outdoor space.
Teak is a living material that evolves with the seasons. With the right treatment, you decide whether to let it age naturally or preserve its original colour.
Robust Teak: Warm and Rich in Colour
Robust teak naturally has a beautiful warm brown tone. Over time, exposure to sunlight and weather will gradually turn this colour into a silvery grey.
Would you like to preserve its original warm appearance? Then Life Robust Teak Protector is a great choice. It contains a UV filter that slows down the ageing process and helps retain the rich, brown colour for longer.
Nature Teak: Pure and Natural
Nature teak has the most authentic teak colour and will gradually develop a natural grey tone through exposure to sunlight and the elements.
Want to preserve or restore the original colour? Nature Teak Protector is the perfect solution. Just apply a thin layer to maintain the wood’s natural look without creating an overly thick or artificial finish.
Grey Teak: A Bold, Weathered Look
Grey teak features a greywash finish for a deep, modern grey appearance. Over time, this layer will gradually fade in the sun, revealing the wood’s natural grey tone underneath.
Want to maintain that rich grey colour? We recommend Life Colour Grey, which makes it easy to refresh and preserve the original look.
How to Care for Your Teak Furniture
With regular maintenance, your teak furniture will stay beautiful for longer and last for many years. Teak is a living material that only becomes more characterful over time. Small hairline cracks are normal and do not affect the quality.
Clean your furniture at least twice a year, for example in spring. The full treatment takes two days, as the wood needs time to dry between steps. Make sure there is no rain during the process.
Time needed: Two days (including drying time)
What you’ll need:
Teak Cleaner
Robuust Teak Protector or Grey Colour Teak or Nature Teak Protector
Teak Shield
Aluminium scouring pad
Water
Gloves
Step 1: Clean with Water
Place your furniture on a hard surface and remove all loose items. Protect your working area with a tarp and rinse the furniture using a garden hose or a bucket and sponge. This removes most of the dirt and prepares the wood for the next step.
Step 2: Clean with Teak Cleaner
Shake the Life Teak Cleaner well and apply a thin layer to the wood. Use a cloth or sponge to reach any difficult areas. Let the cleaner sit for 3 minutes, then gently scrub with an aluminium or scouring pad, following the direction of the wood grain.
Rinse the furniture thoroughly and allow it to dry completely.
Step 3: Treat to Preserve Colour
Would you like to maintain the natural colour of your teak? Then use the appropriate protector:
Robuust Teak: Apply one or two thin layers of Robuust Teak Protector, allowing 30 minutes of drying time between coats. A second layer will deepen the colour.
Grey Teak: Use Grey Colour Teak and apply one or two thin layers, depending on how intense you want the grey tone to be.
Nature Teak: Apply one thin layer of Nature Teak Protector and let it dry for 30 minutes.
Prefer to let the wood age naturally into a silvery grey? Then you can skip this step.
Step 4: Protect with Teak Shield
For extra protection against dirt, grease and stains, finish by applying a layer of Teak Shield. Shake the bottle well and use a lint-free cloth to spread a thin, even layer over the furniture. Let it dry for 4 hours, then apply a second coat. After that, allow the furniture to dry for two full days.
Tip: If you notice that water no longer beads on the surface but soaks in immediately, it's time to reapply Teak Shield.
Important: Never cover your furniture while it’s still wet, as this can cause mould to form.
Covering Teak Furniture with a Protective Cover
It’s perfectly fine to cover your teak furniture with a protective cover – just make sure to use table caps or spacers so the cover doesn’t rest directly on the surface. This helps maintain airflow and prevents damage.
Don’t forget to air out the furniture regularly to avoid mould growth.
You can also leave the furniture uncovered outdoors. In that case, simply clean it using the steps mentioned above.