Teak Wood›Care Guide
Teak care —
the complete guide
Basic care, oiling, stains, greying, winter storage — everything you need to know to keep your teak furniture beautiful for good.
Jump to the care stepsWhy care pays off
Teak is robust —
with care it becomes immortal
Teak is one of the lowest-maintenance woods there is. Its natural oil content makes it resistant to moisture, mould, and insects — without any chemical treatment.
Still: caring for your furniture regularly and correctly extends its beauty considerably. Garden furniture in particular benefits from an annual oil treatment that preserves the warm honey colour.
This guide distils 30 years of experience with teak — from our team in Munich and our factory in Java.
30+
Years of teak expertise
1–2×
Oil per year (outdoors)
∞
Lifespan with proper care
0
Chemical treatment needed
Step by step
The 5 Care Steps
Basic Care — Indoors
Daily & weekly
Indoor teak furniture is low-maintenance: regular dusting and an occasional slightly damp cloth are all it takes.
Do not use aggressive cleaners, abrasives, or solvent-based products — they attack the wood’s natural oils.
For more stubborn dirt, use a mild soap solution (pH-neutral). Rub dry afterwards.
Do
- Soft damp cloth
- pH-neutral soap if needed
- Rub along the grain
Don't
- Dish soap or chemicals
- Scouring pads
- Leaving water standing
Oiling — Preserve Colour & Protection
1–2× per year (outdoors)
Teak oil preserves the wood’s warm honey colour and protects it from drying out. Especially important for garden furniture.
Best times: spring before first use and, if needed, autumn before storing away.
Step 1: Clean the furniture and let it dry completely (at least 24 hrs). Step 2: Apply teak oil thinly with a brush or cloth along the grain. Step 3: Let it soak in for 30 minutes, then remove excess oil with a clean cloth.
Do
- Use high-quality teak oil
- Clean, dry surface
- Apply thinly — less is more
Don't
- Too much oil at once
- Oiling in direct sunlight
- Oiling indoor furniture unnecessarily
Removing Stains
As needed
Dab fresh stains (coffee, red wine, grease) immediately — do not rub. The sooner, the easier the removal.
Treat stubborn discolouration with a special teak cleaner and a soft brush along the grain.
After treatment, rinse well with clear water and let dry completely. Then re-treat with teak oil, as the cleaner strips out natural oils.
Do
- Dab immediately (don’t rub)
- Teak cleaner for stubborn stains
- Re-oil with teak oil afterwards
Don't
- Bleach or chlorine
- Aggressive scrubbing
- Leaving it damp
Greying — Silver Patina or Refresh
Seasonal care
Outdoors, teak greys due to UV exposure — a natural process that is structurally completely harmless. Many appreciate the silver-grey look as an elegant patina.
To bring back the warm wood tone: sand the surface with fine sandpaper (grit 180–240) along the grain, remove the sanding dust, then re-treat with teak oil.
Alternatively: a special teak brightener (teak cleaner) without sanding — sufficient for lightly greyed areas.
Do
- Grit 180–240 for sanding
- Always work along the grain
- Oil after sanding
Don't
- Coarse sandpaper
- Sanding against the grain
- Sanding wet wood
Winter Storage for Garden Furniture
October – March
Teak is naturally winter-proof and can stay outdoors over winter — especially when well cared for.
To protect your furniture and maximise its lifespan: clean, dry, and treat with teak oil before storing.
Store in a dry, ventilated room (cellar, garage). If kept outside: use breathable protective covers — never plastic film, as condensation and mould can result.
Do
- Clean & oil before storage
- Breathable protective covers
- Store dry and ventilated
Don't
- Airtight plastic film
- Storing while damp
- Placing on damp ground
All year round
Seasonal Care at a Glance
March – May
Spring
- Clean furniture after winter
- Treat with teak oil
- Remove & wash protective covers
- Check for cracks or damage
June – August
Summer
- Remove fresh stains immediately
- Let dry after heavy rain
- Wipe down lightly if needed
- Mind direct sunlight
Sept – Nov
Autumn
- Clean thoroughly and let dry
- Second oil treatment (if needed)
- Get protective covers ready
- Prepare a storage spot
Dec – Feb
Winter
- Store furniture dry and ventilated
- Use breathable covers
- Never use plastic film
- Keep using indoor furniture as usual
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Teak Care
How often do I need to oil teak furniture?
Indoor furniture hardly needs oiling at all. For garden furniture we recommend oiling 1–2 times a year — once in spring and, if needed, in autumn. When the wood starts absorbing water instead of letting it bead off, it’s time for a fresh coat of oil.
What should I do if my teak table has turned grey?
Greying isn’t damage — the wood merely changes colour. If you want the natural warm tone back: sand the surface with fine sandpaper (180–240) along the grain, remove the dust, then treat with teak oil. Done.
Can teak furniture stay outside over winter?
Yes. Teak is naturally weatherproof and easily withstands frost and rain. If possible, store your furniture in a dry, ventilated room. If it stays outside, cover it with breathable protective covers — no plastic film.
Which oil is best for teak?
High-quality, solvent-free teak oils on a natural basis work best. Linseed oil is an inexpensive alternative but dries more slowly. Specialist teak oils are ideal, as they are matched to the density and natural oil content of the wood. We’re happy to advise you in our showroom.
How do I remove a white salt film (limescale stains) from teak?
Limescale stains are caused by hard water. Place a cloth soaked in water and white household vinegar (1:3) on the spot, let it work briefly, and wipe off. Then wipe with clear water and let dry.
Can scratches in teak be repaired?
Yes, light scratches are easy to fix yourself: fine sandpaper (200–240) along the grain, remove the dust, apply teak oil. Deep scratches and larger damage we’re happy to repair in our Munich workshop.
Recommended care products
Everything for care — directly from us
Teak oil, cleaner and accessories from this guide can be requested directly from us — matched to our furniture and personally recommended.
MK-PF-002
Teak Cleaner 500 ml
Special cleaner for stubborn stains and greying. Apply with a soft brush along the grain, then re-treat with teak oil.
MK-PF-003
Sanding Paper Set (Grit 180–240)
Fine sanding paper set for refreshing greyed teak surfaces and repairing light scratches. Always sand along the grain, then oil.
Still have questions about care?
We’re happy to advise you — on care, care products, or repairing your teak furniture. In person at the showroom or by phone.