All of our plantation-grown teak, Iroko, and hardwoods are premium grade. With any natural wood, color and grain vary on each piece of handcrafted furniture. As particularly strong decay- and water-resistant species, these woods are good to use outdoors, but you may experience some expanding and contracting with changes in moisture or temperature. Left alone, they will age naturally to a beautiful silver grey patina.
Natural teak is an ideal wood for outdoor furniture not only for its sustainability, beauty and character, but for its durability—its very high oil content prevents rotting and insect infestation. Our premium teak is kiln dried before being made into furniture. This process helps to stabilize the moisture content of the teak; however, when exposed to sun and water, teak oils escape over time, causing the wood color to shift from its warm natural tone to an equally beautiful weathered grey. In environments that are humid, areas of the grain may begin to appear raised. Changes in moisture content can cause small cracks, also known as season splits, to appear in the wood, and mold spores may appear during this process. In dry climates, this transformation in appearance occurs slowly; with frequent fluctuation in climate, it happens more quickly. None of these changes are defects in the material, nor will they affect the structural integrity of the wood.
Before enjoying your beautiful teak furnishings, rinse and wipe down teak frames to remove any residual teak dust or oils and let air dry completely. As teak furniture acclimatizes to your location, additional teak oils may seep out of the wood. We recommend periodically rinsing the frames to remove any excess oils.
Teak oil and teak dust can stain cushions. Until your teak has properly acclimated to the environment, we recommend removing the cushions from the frames when not in use. During the first weeks of this natural process, we recommend cleaning the teak before placing the cushions on the frames to avoid staining.
As you read through the following care and maintenance instructions, you will find the steps analogous to skin care. In order to add a luster, purity, and youthful appearance to your teak and other premium wood products, the true organic nature of the material must be preserved and enhanced. Through abrading and exfoliating techniques, similar to enhanced skin care, the natural tannin and grains of your teak will be embellished and beautified.
GENERAL CARE & MAINTENANCE
- Vacuum to remove loose dirt
- Prepare a cleaning solution of 2 ounces (1/4 cup) mild, pH-neutral soap such as Dawn® or Golden Care® Teak Cleaner per gallon
- 8 cups of lukewarm clean water (less than 100°F/38°C)
- Use a nonabrasive sponge or soft cloth to clean
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Allow to air dry
PERIODIC CARE & MAINTENANCE
With proper care and maintenance, our premium teak can be kept as vibrant and youthful as when it was first received. This means regular cleaning, possible light sanding and treating with the Golden Care® Maintenance System (Teak Cleaner, Teak Protector, and Teak Shield). In addition, teak that has been maintained but weathered to a silver grey patina can be returned to its natural golden brown state. The following information is meant to provide general guidelines; always follow specific instructions as directed and within the conditions suggested on your cleaning products. Please note, teak maintenance may need to be performed multiple times a year based on your local environment.
GOLDEN CARE® MAINTENANCE SYSTEM
TEAK CLEANER
Golden Care Teak Cleaner (JeC Item #799-10-100-00-00)
Teak Cleaner cleans and restores discolored dark grey teak and hardwood. This water-based formula is a high concentration cleaner and contains brightener ingredients which bring back the original color of new teak/hardwood. Unlike most other teak cleaners, ours is classified as non-hazardous. This process should be applied as needed based on the preferred look of your teak. Follow specific instructions as directed and within the conditions suggested on your cleaning products.
TEAK PROTECTOR
Golden Care Teak Protector (JeC Item #799-10-200-00-00)
Teak Protector is superior to a standard teak oil or sealer as it maintains the original light brown color of teak for a period of time up to four times longer than teak oil and up to twice as long as teak sealers. It resists the development of mold and black spots on the teak. The environmentally friendly formula is 100% water based, non-flammable, and isn’t greasy. Follow specific instructions as directed and within the conditions suggested on your cleaning products.
TEAK SHIELD
Golden Care Teak Shield (JeC Item #799-10-200-01-00)
Teak Shield is commonly used as a barrier on tabletops and other food preparation and dining surfaces as a stain inhibitor. Common items such as coffee, butter, wine and olive oil can lead to incidental staining, and this product serves as an almost invisible barrier against discoloration caused by these items. Follow specific instructions as directed and within the conditions suggested on your cleaning products.
MAINTENANCE TIPS
Inspect your teak, Iroko, and hardwood furniture regularly for signs of wear and tear to determine whether it requires a new application of treatments. If you want to keep the hardwood’s original color, this will require an application of high-quality oil. In ocean environments, this may need to be applied several times per year. To prevent any fungus growth, make sure that the hardwood is perfectly clean and dry before you treat it.
NOTE
Iroko wood has a red-brown tint. We recommend Golden Care Hardwood Protector (rather than Teak Protector) to treat this material, and best maintain the original red-brown color of the wood.
NATURAL TEAK FINISHES WITH THE GOLDEN CARE TEAK MAINTENANCE SYSTEM
HONEY BROWN TO SILVER GREY PATINA
- Teak is a natural product and will weather to a silver grey patina over time.*
- Teak Shield is recommended to help prevent staining on table tops or other food preparation/dining surfaces.
SILVER GREY PATINA TO HONEY BROWN
- Teak Cleaner can restore the teak to its natural blonde state.
- Teak Protector will turn the teak into the honey brown color and help maintain it.
- Teak Shield is recommended to help prevent staining on table tops or other food preparation/dining surfaces.
EXTREME SILVER GREY PATINA TO SILVER GREY PATINA
- Clean with a mild, pH-neutral soap such as Dawn® and clean water. If wood grain has become raised with time, sand with a fine grit sand paper to return the teak to a fine smooth finish. Teak may show patches of honey brown after sanding but in time will weather back to silver grey patina.
- Teak Shield is recommended to help prevent staining on table tops or other food preparation/dining surfaces.
EXTREME SILVER GREY PATINA TO HONEY BROWN
- Clean with Teak Cleaner. If wood grain has become raised with time, sand with rough sand paper along the grain followed by a fine grit sandpaper to return the teak to a fine smooth finish.
- Teak Protector is recommended to help maintain honey brown color.
- Teak Shield is recommended to help prevent staining on table tops or other food preparation/dining surfaces.
*The high quality of our teak turns to a lustrous silver grey patina when left in its natural state. To promote the weathering process of teak, wash the teak regularly, especially during its first few months outside. Do so on a sunny day if possible, and use a mild liquid detergent with a teaspoon of bleach in a gallon of water. The bleach will accelerate the weathering action of the sun. After the teak is washed with the soap and the bleach, rinse the furniture thoroughly with clean water and let it dry. As the teak begins to weather, the grain begins to lift. You may want to lightly sand the fine “hairs” which rise when the teak begins to weather with 220 grit sandpaper. Your silver grey patina will evolve at a different pace depending on its environment. Wind, salt spray and sun will always weather the teak more quickly.