Simple Tips to Apply Teak Oil on Your Furniture

Teak furniture adds elegance and dignity to any room you put it in, thanks to its rich golden-brown color. However, without proper treatment, teak can get dull and fade with time. Knowing how to apply teak oil can save your furniture from these risks.

Tips before Oiling Teak Furniture

Remember, teak oil furniture needs a good dusting and cleaning before applying the oil. Without it, you will trap dust and other particles on the surface, ruining the look and creating ugly bumps on the surface. These particles also affect the result of oiling and sealing in the long term.

While some people prefer the silvery gray tone of unfinished teak, others may love the golden-brown tone more. You can achieve the latter by oiling or sealing the furniture. Sealing preserves the furniture just like oiling, but the mechanism is different. Oiling adds nutrients to the wood, but sealing helps the furniture retain its natural teak oil, keeping it from drying out.

Oiling teak is not recommended for outdoor furniture. You risk trapping moisture and creating a fertile environment for mold and mildew.

Cleaning Teak Furniture before Oiling

Before oiling teak, clean the furniture by following these steps

1. Prepare a Good Space

Place your teak furniture on a thick layer of cloth in a safe space for washing. Make sure the ventilation is good, especially if you are going to use bleach.

2. Spray the Teak Furniture

Use a garden hose to wash the entire surface in a mild stream. Avoid power washing or high pressure to prevent damage on the teak surface. Make sure every surface is washed cleanly.

3. Make Cleaning Solution

If you already have a teakwood cleaning solution, you can skip this part. Otherwise, mix a cup of bleach or white vinegar with a quarter cup of mild detergent and a gallon of water. This homemade cleaning solution is cheaper and milder than commercial cleaners; the latter may contain a lot of harsh chemicals.

4. Brush the Furniture

Use a soft plastic brush to brush the entire wood surface. Avoid metal brush and don’t brush too hard, else your teakwood will get scratched. Rinse every surface well afterward.

Once you finish cleaning, make sure to wait for 36 to 48 hours, or until the entire parts of the teakwood furniture dry. Keep it in a space where it can get warm sunlight.

Oiling the Teak Furniture

Once your furniture is dry, you are ready for the main part. Here is how to apply teak oil on your (completely dry) furniture.

A. Sand the Teakwood

Sanding teak wood furniture allows you to start from the clean slate. This step removes the previous wood treatment and allows your furniture to stay in its best condition for a long time.

B. Apply the First Coat

Use a brush to apply the first coat of teak oil. You can use a smaller brush or even a lint-free cloth to apply oil on crevices and other areas that are hard to cover. Make sure to apply the oil until the surface can no longer absorb liquid. Remove the excess oil with the lint-free cloth.

C. Wait to Dry

Wait for at least two hours or until the oil is completely dry. You can turn on a fan nearby to speed up the process.

D. Apply the Second Coat

Apply the teak oil again once the first one is completely dry. Follow the same procedure and wait until the oil is dry before continuing with any step.

Once the second coat is dry, you can stop or continue for one or two more layers. Ideally, an oil coating requires four to five layers for the ultimate protection level. Coating the teak furniture until the surface can no longer absorb oil is a great way to protect the wood.

Should You Seal the Teakwood?

Knowing how to apply teak oil means you can also seal the wood furniture. Sealing has the same benefit as oiling, but the mechanism is different. With sealing, you keep the teakwood in good condition by locking its natural oil inside.

Just like oiling, you must start the sealing process with specific steps: washing, drying, and sandpapering the teak furniture. For the ultimate protection, apply at least two steps of sealing coat, with proper drying between each coat.

Sealing and oiling have advantages and disadvantages. Sealing makes the wood last longer and you only need to do it once a year, while oiling requires repeated procedures (around two to four times per year). On the contrary, oiling improves the look of your teak furniture almost immediately, perfect for refurbishing your furniture and property.

How to Properly Maintain Teak Furniture

Oiling or sealing is not the only way to keep your teak furniture beautiful. Here are maintenance steps you need to do to keep the color intact, aside from oiling and sealing.

1. Clean Immediately

When you see crumbs, stain, or moisture, don’t wait to clean it from the teak surface. Oily stain and grease can be cleaned with mild detergent and water. Prevent dust and particle buildup by using a duster regularly.

2. Use Protective Layers

Simple protective layers like coasters, cup saucers, plate mats, or felt fabric can make your furniture last longer. They reduce the risks of scratches, discoloration, stain, and moisture.

3. Protect Furniture from Rain or Winter

If you have outdoor teak furniture, protect it better during winter or rainy season. You can take the furniture inside or into a protected space, or use furniture covers and patio shade. Teakwood is generally a durable material, but don’t let it get into contact with moisture for too long. For example, make sure to wipe it dry or remove the furniture from any puddles.

Sometimes, the teak furniture is so worn down that it’s time to invest in the new one. Buy the best quality Indonesian wood furniture here for original, durable, and beautiful teak furniture. High-quality products are an investment because they keep their beautiful hue and wood quality for a long time.

Knowing how to apply teak oil is a simple but long-lasting investment. Follow this guide to keep your teak furniture in its best color, shape, and condition.