{"id":90089,"date":"2023-03-03T08:15:13","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T08:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vinterior.co\/blog\/?p=90089"},"modified":"2023-07-06T13:37:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T13:37:08","slug":"how-to-maintain-teak-wood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vinterior.co\/blog\/sustainability\/furniture-maintenance\/how-to-maintain-teak-wood\/","title":{"rendered":"Teak time: How to maintain teak wood, a time-tested favourite"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Praised for its beauty and durability, teak<\/strong><\/a> has been the gold standard for quality indoor and outdoor furniture for centuries. Attractive colour, incredible strength and unmatched resilience established teak wood as a premium choice for those who prioritise longevity and arresting appeal of wooden furniture. Once heavily used for everything from construction to sideboards, teak has now become a highly coveted material with a prestige price. Encapsulating the ideals of sustainability and ethical practices, teak furniture is gaining traction as more and more people are choosing to adopt vintage and reclaimed teak pieces into their homes.\u00a0Here is how to maintain teak wood<\/strong> to keep its allure for a lifetime.<\/p>\r\n

\"Vintage<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Original vintage mid-century teak desk by Frank Guille for Austinsuite | Pod 96<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is teak wood?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Teak is a tropical hardwood. It comes from Tectona grandis<\/em>, a tree native to south and southeast Asia (mainly India, Indonesia and Bangladesh). Teak trees can reach a height of up to 35m, grow without artificial fertilisers and don\u2019t require heavy irrigation. Teak wood is rich with natural oil that repels insects and gives the wood its characteristic weather-resistant qualities.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"Kai<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Kai Kristiansen teak model 42 dining chairs | Dagmar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Thanks to its incredible ability to withstand elements with very little to no upkeep, teak has earned a special place in the history of shipbuilding, architecture and furniture manufacturing. Starring the collections of furniture giants such as G Plan<\/strong><\/a> furniture, Parker Knoll<\/strong><\/a>, Ercol<\/strong><\/a> and Nathan<\/strong><\/a> furniture, teak wood became a hallmark of mid-century furniture aesthetic. Teak garden furniture also emerged in the 1960s and remains popular today.<\/p>\r\n

\"Hans<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Mid-century teak dining table and chairs by Hans Olsen For Frem R\u00f8jle, 1950s | Our Blast from the Past<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What are the advantages of teak wood?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What teak wood is best known for is its incredible durability and resistance to rot. With the ability to withstand extreme temperatures and the tendency not to splinter, teak furniture is very adaptable and can take whatever you throw at it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As it weathers over time and becomes dry, the colour of teak transforms from warm honey brown to rustic silver-grey. However, with proper care, teak can forever keep its attractive golden glow.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Read on for tips on how to maintain teak wood.<\/p>\r\n

\"Mid-century<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Mid-century Arne Wahl Iversen desk, 1960s | The Garage Vintage<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Maintaining teak wood furniture<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why is it important to maintain teak?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although teak wood is a rather resilient type of wood that doesn\u2019t require much care, it is important to maintain it due to its expensive manufacturing process and high demand on the market. Try to prevent your teak furniture from appearing timeworn and ensure it will stay in shipshape for it to retain its value throughout the years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why is teak wood so expensive?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

High market demand triggers a significant decline in the number of trees, resulting in an ever-increasing cost of this exclusive hardwood. However, scarcity is not the only factor contributing to the price of teak wood.\u00a0 Since the best quality teak furniture is made from mature trees, it takes about 40 to 80 years before they can be harvested for wood. With all this in mind, it doesn\u2019t come as a surprise that vintage teak has been holding its price for decades which explains why more and more people are interested in learning how to restore teak furniture to give it a new life.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to clean teak wood<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cleaning your teak wood furniture is essential for good maintenance. If treated well, teak furniture is very durable and can last a lifetime. Unlike many other types of wood, teak requires little maintenance.\u00a0 If you are curious to find out how to clean teak furniture, the answer is very simple. All you need is mild soap and some warm water. For more stubborn grime, feel free to use a soft scrub brush and then rinse the surface with a clean, damp cloth. Always wait until the surface is completely dry before using a sealer.<\/p>\r\n

\"Mid<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Danish teak and oak dining table, 1960s | Retro Delux<\/i><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Protect your teak wood furniture from spills<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To protect your teak dining table<\/strong><\/a> during meals, it is recommended to use a tablecloth. If a spill occurs, clean it up as soon as you can to avoid any permanent damage.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Fortunately, teak is hardwood and thus fairly forgiving, but this doesn\u2019t mean it will withstand everything.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to restore teak wood\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The best way to restore old teak is to encourage its natural oils to emerge from within. To do so, sand your vintage teak wood with fine 150-grit sandpaper and then clean and dry its surfaces before adding a sealant.<\/p>\r\n

\"G<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1960s G Plan Astro teak coffee table | IDA Treasure Hunter<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to seal teak furniture<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Once your teak piece has been finely sanded, you have prepared it for the next restoration step: sealing. Here are some do\u2019s and don\u2019t when sealing teak wood.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

DO<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n