How To Clean Indoor Teak Furniture
Teak is a popular hardwood known for its exceptional durability and stability, as well as its natural resistance to insect and moisture damage. Besides, it is widely considered one of the most beautiful and best-looking furniture types that will enhance the living space and profile of your home. While teak furniture is commonly used in gardens, many homeowners opt for indoor teak furniture sets because they can improve the aesthetics and design of a home office space or even dining and living rooms. However, they do require cleaning from time to time to keep them in good shape and functioning perfectly for years to come.
The frequency and the kind of cleaning required for indoor teak furniture may differ from an outdoor one since both are exposed to different environmental conditions. Teak garden furniture has to withstand all weather conditions, seasonal temperature changes and spillages, so the level of care and maintenance required varies depending on its age and condition.
In contrast, indoor teak furniture is stored at room temperature and mainly gets exposed to dust accumulation, surface marks and scratches, food stains and liquid spillages such as tea, coffee, wine and so on. As a result, the amount of care and attention required for indoor teak furniture will depend more on its usage, which will affect its overall condition.
A step-by-step guide to cleaning teak indoor furniture
The recommended steps below will show you how to care for your indoor teak furniture. If the teak is new, you may skip some stages as it is generally recommended to leave it alone for one to two weeks before cleaning or applying a protector or sealer to the surface.
- Place a plastic sheet or any other floor covering to avoid wet floors while washing the furniture with soapy water. You can alternatively clean the teak outside.
- Use a soft-bristle brush or clean cloth to remove any dust, dirt or debris from the surface. During this step, you can also check for any surface marks as well as signs of wear and tear.
- Once you’re satisfied with its condition, clean the furniture's surface, joints and legs using a sponge and soapy water. This will remove most of the dirt, stains and grime accumulated over time.
- Allow the teak to dry completely before moving on to the next step. The duration will generally depend on the humidity, internal temperature, and how well-ventilated your home is. You can try moving it outside to speed up the drying process.
- Once the teak wood is dry and dust-free, gently rub some fine sandpaper over its surfaces to give it a smooth finish after cleaning.
- Apply a teak protector to the furniture to restore it to its original appearance while protecting it from any permanent stains from food and drink spillages.
How often should you clean indoor teak furniture?
Indoor teak furniture may require more frequent cleaning than outdoor one because it is likely to be used more often. Its age and condition will also play a role. Once a week, you can simply wipe the furniture with a soft-bristle brush or a clean cloth. You may need to dust it more regularly if you leave your windows open in the summer or all year round.
What is the best cleaner for teak furniture?
A water-based teak cleaner is one of the best products for cleaning teak furniture. It contains no abrasives or harmful chemicals, and it is also much more effective than soapy water at removing dirt and stains, as well as restoring the teak's natural colour. Simply brush the teak cleaner to the surfaces of the teak, then rinse it to bring back its natural, rich golden-brown colour.
