What is the best way to clean teak furniture?
It is best to use a non-acid based formula that will effectively clean the teak without damaging the integrity of the wood. Acid based cleaners will strip away the light colored soft grain and expose a rough, unattractive, darker grain. Using a pressure washer, or a stiff bristled brush will have a similar effect of stripping the top layer and leaving behind a rough, raised grain structure. At this point, sanding down your teak furniture would be the only way to return it to the original smooth condition. The best cleaning method is to wet the teak wood, apply the non-acid cleaner and then gently agitate with a soft-bristle scrubber brush. The cleaner should be allowed to work for approximately 15-20 minutes according to label instructions. After the suitable amount of time has passed, rinse the teak furniture with water and allow it to dry. You must wait AT LEAST 24 hours, preferably more, before you attempt to apply any kind of oil.
