The Best Teak Outdoor Furniture and How to Clean It

Finding the right outdoor furniture for your space is a big task. There are so many different styles and materials to choose from, so we're going to dive deep into one of our favorite styles: teak.

Teak is a tropical Asian tree and one of the hardest, most durable hardwoods. (There's a reason it has been and continues to be used in shipbuilding!) Teak has a wide range of benefits, which make it ideal for your outdoor spaces:

• Weather Resistant: It has a high natural oil content that repels water, which keeps it from warping, cracking or becoming brittle.
• Pest Resistant: The natural oil also repels insects, keeping termites and other borers at bay, which gives it a high resistance to rot.
• Low Maintenance: No need for paint, varnish or treatments. Teak starts out with a warm, golden color that naturally fades to a gray patina.
• Year-Round Usage: Teak can be left out all year long without impacting the integrity of the wood.

How to Clean Teak

In general, taking care of your teak is pretty simple. You mainly want to keep buildup of dirt and debris off so that your wood will last longer.

Start off by rinsing your furniture with a hose. Don't use a pressure washer because that will damage the wood. Mix a small amount of mild soap or teak cleaning product with water and use a soft bristle brush to scrub your furniture, working with the grain, not against it. Test the solution underneath the furniture first to make sure it doesn't damage the teak. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse the piece and allow it to dry naturally in the sun, which takes about 24 to 36 hours.

To maintain the teak's original golden hue, use fine-grit sandpaper to remove the outer weathered layer or add a teak sealer, which needs to be applied when the teak is completely dry and touched up a couple of times a year. If you love the weathered gray look though, you can simply wash it to prevent mold and mildew.

Best Teak Patio Chairs and Rockers

Whether you're outfitting your back patio, porch or expansive outdoor space, comfy armchairs are a must. These picks give you flexibility in your design and layout while ranging in style from classic to contemporary. And, of course, it's never a bad investment to have a rocking chair to sit back and relax in.

Best Teak Seating Groups

If you need an all-in-one set to fill up your whole space, here's your answer. These seating groups range from intimate two-person groupings to large sectionals for a crowd. Take the guesswork out of mixing and matching different pieces together by investing in a complete arrangement.

Best Teak Benches

Provide a stopping spot along your garden path or a place to plop on your front porch with a lovely bench. These simple, yet gorgeous options are easy to style with patterned-filled and colorful pillows.

Best Teak Sofas

When building up your cozy sitting areas, a sofa or loveseat is a stunning centerpiece. Chic and streamlined, these cushy options are neutral enough to coordinate with any additional chairs and occasional tables to create the ultimate hangout.

Best Teak Dining Sets

Gather friends and family to share a meal around one of these naturally beautiful tables. Each set sits from two to eight people and one is even extendable for an additional two seats. Weather-friendly and easy to maintain, you'll be able to enjoy dining al fresco all year round.