Teak wood, because of its natural properties, is relatively easy to maintain. Its dense oil content will restore the luster of your teak after a periodic scrubbing with a scrub brush and mild detergent.
Some teak owners wish to preserve the honey-gold original finish of their teak furniture. Barlow Tyrie Teak Color Guard™, applied when the furniture is new or after cleaning, helps maintain the original finish by using pigment enhancers together with UV inhibitors to prevent the natural graying process.
A teak stain guard helps defend against spills and spot-sanding removes tougher splotches like olive oil and red wine. Since teak is non-porous, stains stick to the surface level and are easy to treat. More frequent maintenance is required in very humid regions like Florida, and the use of a color guard is recommended to maintain teak's honey gold color.
Over the course of a few months in an outdoor environment, untreated teak will weather to a silver gray color. This is due to the action of sunlight. Keep light cushions away from teak furniture during this time period, as the oil can stain other objects during the weathering process.
Check out this video tutorial from Barlow Tyrie demonstrating just how easy it is to clean and restore teak to show quality, using just a scrub brush, cleaning solution, and a little bit of elbow grease.
Treating with teak oil or other preservatives is not necessary. It will not extend the life of your furniture and is purely cosmetic. We do not recommend oiling your furniture.
Powder-Coated Aluminum: Clean with a soft cloth and warm water. If rust is observed, clean with soapy water to identify the source. Clean rusted area with vinegar water mixture and a scrubbing pad, then apply rust protectant to affected area after it dries.
Use a soft cloth or brush, warm water and a gentle cleanser if needed. Alcohol and other solvents are not suitable for cleaning because they can damage or discolor the surface being cleaned.
Steel frames should be cleaned regularly with fresh water. If rust spots appear on the surface of the stainless steel, gently rub a scrubbing pad in the same direction as the existing brushed surface of the stainless steel until the rust spot is removed.
Never use steel wool to clean stainless steel, as the carbon steel will contaminate the stainless steel, causing rust. Polished stainless steel surfaces should only be cleaned with warm water or stainless steel cleaner.
Outdoor cushions are generally machine washable, however removing the cushion cover from the foam inner pad is generally not recommended since it can be tricky to put back on.
The best policy for maintaining pristine outdoor upholstery is to provide regular spot and maintenance cleaning and to apply the protective cover when not in use. If left outside and exposed to the elements, fabrics will become dirty very quickly. Maintain cleanliness by simply removing dirt before it becomes embedded, wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning immediately after stains occur. We recommend applying an Upholstery Protector once a year.
If mold or mildew develops, apply a diluted bleach solution to the cushion cover and let soak for 15 minutes. Remove stain with sponge, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water and let dry.