FAQs
Our Company | Products | Care and Maintenance | Shipping | Warranty and ReturnsCare & Maintenance:
How long will it last?
Teak furniture should last a lifetime if properly built in the first place. We use only the top grade kiln-dried timber, epoxy
resins for lasting strength, and solid brass, which will not rust or corrode when left outside. The top furniture grade teak,
used for all our furniture, with its high natural oil content, resists both warping and rot, ensuring that Atlanta Teak’s teak
furniture will last more than a lifetime.
Why Does teak wood turn gray?
First, it is important to understand that what protects teak wood is the unique combination of the density and the natural oils and resins in the wood. The teak wood is honey brown all the way through, not just on the surface. (see https://www.atlantateak.com/our-teak/). UV light and wind will dry the surface and cause the top to turn gray. The gray color is not an indicator of lower quality. It is just cosmetic.
I love the gray color, how do I care for my teak furniture?
Many people love the beautiful gray patina of weather teak furniture. If you are one, then maintenance is very easy. Simply keep the furniture clean. Wipe it down with a rag and keep the dirt, pollen etc. from sitting on it for too long. Spills can be cleaned with dish soap and water and a mildly abrasive sponge.
The gray is nice, but I prefer the original brown color. How do I maintain my teak furniture?
Ok, no problem. Remember, the wood is honey brown all the way through. The more you scrub, the darker your teak furniture will become. You can start with soap and water and a soft bristle brush or Scotch-Brite sponge. This will bring back some of the brown color. If you prefer it darker brown, then you can sand the wood. This will remove the top layer completely, exposing the original brown underneath.
Do I need to use teak oil or other products on my outdoor teak furniture?
Not really. Teak oil will help preserve the brown color longer by slowing down the graying process. It will not stop it. It is okay to use teak oil, but it is certainly not required to maintain your teak furniture.When using teak oils, make sure that the product does not have any tint or color. Test the product on the underside or other inconspicuous spot to make sure you are okay with the color.
Someone (really, not me) did a bad job with the pressure washer. What do I do?
It is easy to get over enthusiastic with the pressure washer. All is not lost. If the surface of your furniture is bumpy and rough due to power washing, you will need to sand the furniture’s surface. An inexpensive hand sander is usually sufficient. If the surface is really rough, start with a rougher sandpaper (60 or 100 grit) and then repeat with a finer grit (150 or 220). If it’s not so bad, you can start with the finer grit.
How often do I need to clean my teak furniture?
Under normal circumstances, we suggest a light scrubbing once a year.For more information, read Maintaining your outdoor teak furniture and Cleaning Teak Furniture
Can I pressure wash my teak furniture?
No. Yes. Well, maybe. Pressure washing can be effective in cleaning the teak furniture, but you need to be very careful. You must use a wide nozzle (40 degrees usually) and keep the nozzle at least 12” away from the surface. If you are not careful, you can make the surface bumpy and scratchy, or even make divots in the wood.Read Pressure Washing Teak Furniture for more information.
I think I see some mold or mildew on my furniture. What can I do?
While teak furniture is extremely mold and mildew resistant, it is possible for spots to appear. Use a solution of diluted bleach to clean the mold or mildew. If there are only a few small spots, you can spot clean with a sponge or soft brush. It the problem is on a larger area, spray on the diluted solution, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse off with water, completely.For more information, click Removing Mold and Mildew from Teak Furniture.
Will wasps harm teak furniture?
Wasps are attracted to any type of wood and not are not particularly attracted to teak more than any other wood. They are looking for material for their nests and will use whatever is available. (They dig in and take little splinters out)
In order to keep the wasps away from your furniture, you have to find the nest and take care of the source of the wasps. You could try putting out some softer scrap wood if you have anything lying around and maybe they will switch over to that. There are many natural options to try to repel them – solutions of vanilla, eucalyptus, menthol and/or citronella, but we can’t speak to the efficacy of those. Avoid any harsh chemicals on your furniture.
The wasps aren’t really damaging the furniture since they are only taking a very thin layer off the surface and are not boring like other bees. Mostly they are a nuisance. If you give your furniture a good scrubbing with soap and water, the markings should disappear.
Cracks appear periodically in my furniture and then go away. Is this okay?
It is typical for some small cracks to come and go in the first few months as the furniture adjusts to the climate. This is called “checking” and is not unusual. Typically, checking will stabilize and stop after a few weeks. The cracking is most common on the end grain areas. Checking does not affect the strength, performance or life expectancy of the item.
How do I take care of spills, stains and scratches?
Start with soap and water with a sponge or rag. If that does not work, use a Scotch-Brite sponge or something similar. This generally takes care of most everyday type spills if taken care of early enough. Tougher stains or scratches can be removed quite simply using ordinary sandpaper. The grade of sandpaper depends on the degree of damage. For light damage, use a smoother sandpaper (the higher the number, the smoother). For more serious issues, use a more course sandpaper. Once the spot or damage is gone, go back over the area with a smoother sandpaper.
Should I cover my furniture when I’m not using it?
Covering your teak furniture is generally not necessary. Premium teak wood can withstand most environments. Additionally, plastic covers that do not breathe can actually make matters worse. They can trap moisture underneath, creating an environment for mold and mildew to thrive.If you are going to be away for extended periods of time and just feel better covering the teak furniture, buy your covers a little big and use inflatable pillows or toys to create some space, or dome effect, so air can circulate.One exception may be in locations that get a lot of snow. If many inches of snow sit on the furniture for extended periods of time, the temperature and moisture may negatively affect the wood. Also, when the snow melts, it will be a lot of water on the table and make take exceptionally long to dry. The occasional snow is probably ok, but if you’re reading this in Buffalo, NY, you may consider covering your furniture in winter.
Should I keep the furniture indoors during the winter months?
There is no problem wintering furniture outside; however, it may need a washing down in spring before use. Should you prefer to bring your furniture indoors, our range of folding tables and chairs are perfect and can be easily tucked away when not in use.One thing to be careful of is extreme changes in temperature. For instance, if it is very cold outside and you are going to bring your furniture indoors, do not place it directly next to a heater. Extreme swings in temperature can cause some cracking.
