A-grade Indonesian teak is one of the most naturally durable materials you can put in a garden. It needs very little from you to survive the British climate. But if you want a say in how it looks along the way, whether that's preserving the original honey tone or letting it weather gracefully, a little knowledge goes a long way. This guide covers everything from daily cleaning to seasonal treatment.
Understanding How Teak Changes
Teak is naturally rich in oils and silica, which is exactly what makes it so resistant to rot, insects and splitting outdoors without any chemical treatment. Those same oils are also what give new teak its warm honey-brown colour.
Once teak is outside, those surface oils begin to lift within the first couple of weeks as the wood settles into its environment. This is completely normal and often called the wood "breathing in." During this period, it's worth wiping the surface with a dry cloth occasionally, partly to keep it looking tidy, and partly to stop lifting oils marking anything placed underneath the table, such as a rug or stone paving.
From there, teak will gradually shift from honey-brown toward a soft silver-grey as UV exposure continues to break down the surface tannins. How quickly this happens depends entirely on exposure. A table under a pergola or covered seating area will hold its colour far longer than one standing in full, open sun. In a typical UK garden, noticeable greying often begins within a few months of full outdoor exposure.
Small surface cracks or fine fissures can also appear as the wood responds to changes in temperature and humidity. This is standard behaviour for a natural material, not a fault, and it typically settles down once the piece has been in position for a season. Every plank of teak has its own grain and tone too, so slight variation between pieces, or even between two chairs in the same set, is simply the nature of a natural product rather than an inconsistency.
Cleaning Teak
Routine cleaning is straightforward. Brush away loose dirt and debris, then wash with warm water and a mild soap using a soft brush or cloth. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry naturally.
A few rules to stick to:
- Wipe up spills, particularly wine, oil and sauces, as soon as they happen to avoid staining
- Avoid detergents containing ammonia or bleach, as these can damage the wood's fibres over time
- Never use a wire brush, steel wool, or anything abrasive
- Use a hose rather than a pressure washer. High pressure can strip the surface and roughen the grain
If mould or mildew appears, usually a result of prolonged damp and poor airflow rather than the wood itself, a solution of warm water with a little white vinegar will lift it without harming the timber. Rinse well afterwards and let the piece dry fully before doing anything else with it.
Preserving or Restoring the Original Colour
If you want to keep teak looking close to new, the tool for the job is a dedicated teak protector or UV-protective teak oil, not a generic wood oil or varnish. Applied with a cloth, left to absorb, then buffed off, it restores the honey-brown tone and slows the greying process.
As a general routine:
- Apply teak oil two to three times a year on furniture left permanently outside, typically spring, midsummer, and before the table is covered or stored for winter
- Once-yearly application is usually sufficient for a well-sheltered piece, or one already showing an even, established colour
- Always clean and fully dry the surface before oiling, and check the product's own guidance, as reapplication frequency varies by climate and exposure
If your teak has already turned silver-grey and you'd like to bring back the original tone, a light clean followed by a teak restorer or protector will typically lift the patina, though it may take a couple of applications to even out.
If you'd rather let nature take its course, no action is needed at all. A silvered teak table is not a table in decline, it's simply teak doing what teak has always done outdoors, and many of our customers choose this look deliberately.
Storing and Covering Teak Over Winter
Teak is built to stay outside year-round, so covering it isn't a requirement in the way it might be for a less durable timber. That said, a breathable cover can help preserve colour and reduce cleaning through the wettest months if you'd prefer.
If you do use a cover, choose one that allows airflow rather than a sealed, plastic-backed type, as trapping moisture against the wood encourages mould far more than leaving it uncovered ever would. Make sure the table is completely dry before covering, and lift the cover occasionally through winter to check underneath.
A Quick Reference
| You want | Do this |
|---|---|
| To keep the original honey-brown colour | Clean and oil with a UV-protective teak oil, 2-3 times a year |
| To let it weather naturally | Nothing. Just clean occasionally with warm water and mild soap |
| To restore a greyed table | Clean thoroughly, then apply a teak restorer or protector |
| To reduce winter cleaning | Use a breathable, non-sealed cover, checked periodically |
Whichever look you're after, teak rewards a small amount of attention rather than demanding it. Explore our teak table collection online, or if you would prefer to see the material in person, book an appointment at our beautiful Bishop's Stortford showroom with one of our specialist members of staff. It's quick and easy to do, and everybody is welcome.