Care
How to Care for Teak Furniture
A general guide to keeping teak furniture — indoor or outdoor — looking its best between professional refinishing.
Updated July 15, 2026
In short Teak furniture is best cared for by dusting regularly, cleaning with a mild soap and water solution (never harsh chemical cleaners), avoiding prolonged direct sun and standing water, and periodically reapplying teak oil or a protective finish depending on whether the piece is finished or left natural. Indoor teak generally needs oiling only occasionally; outdoor teak left to weather naturally will silver over time, which is a normal, reversible cosmetic change, not damage.
Teak is prized for its natural oils and durability, which is why it shows up in both fine mid-century indoor furniture and outdoor furniture. Caring for it correctly depends partly on whether the piece is finished (oiled, lacquered, or varnished) or left to weather naturally outdoors, so the first step is knowing which kind of teak you have.
Indoor, finished teak
Indoor teak furniture — a mid-century sideboard or dining table, for example — is usually finished with a thin oil or lacquer that lets the grain show. Routine care is light: regular dusting, occasional cleaning with mild soap and water, and avoiding harsh chemical cleaners or prolonged direct sunlight, which can dry out and fade the finish over time. Depending on the finish type, an oiled piece may benefit from periodic reapplication of teak oil; a lacquered or varnished piece generally should not be oiled, since the finish itself provides the protective layer.
Outdoor teak
Outdoor teak furniture, left untreated, will naturally weather to a silvery-gray patina over time from UV and moisture exposure. This is a normal cosmetic change, not damage, and it does not compromise the wood’s structural integrity — teak is naturally resistant to rot and insects because of its own oil content. Some owners prefer the natural silver look; others prefer to maintain the original golden-brown color with periodic cleaning and teak oil or sealer application. Both are valid choices — it’s a matter of preference, not correctness.
When to bring a piece in for professional care
Routine cleaning and oiling can be done at home. Signs that a piece would benefit from professional assessment include: deep scratches or gouges, graying or dullness that cleaning and oiling doesn’t resolve, lifting or bubbling veneer, loose joints, or a finish that has begun to crack or peel. Catching these issues earlier generally means a smaller, less costly repair than waiting until the damage is extensive.
Step 1
Dust and clean regularly
Wipe down with a soft cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a mild soap and water solution rather than household cleaners, which can strip natural oils or damage a finish.
Step 2
Control moisture and sun exposure
Avoid leaving standing water on the surface and, where practical, limit prolonged direct sun exposure, which accelerates fading and drying.
Step 3
Reapply oil or finish as needed
For oiled teak, periodic reapplication of teak oil helps maintain color and moisture resistance. For lacquered or varnished teak, follow the finish type's care needs rather than applying oil over a film finish.
Step 4
Address scratches and wear promptly
Minor surface scratches can often be addressed with light sanding and spot oil or finish touch-up before they need a full refinish.
Step 5
Know when it needs professional attention
Deep scratches, graying that oiling doesn't restore, veneer lifting, or joinery looseness are signs the piece would benefit from professional assessment rather than home treatment.