The world of garden furniture sets can feel overwhelming with so many materials and designs to choose from. Ultimately, the goal is for outdoor pieces to not only look good, but to hold strong against the unpredictable British elements and stand the test of time.
While rattan and aluminium are great low maintenance options, they can struggle with the natural elements. Synthetic rattan can melt, warp and sag (never a good look) during particularly hot periods, while natural rattan can dry and crack. Similarly, aluminium can experience oxidation over time – the result is a dull, greyish or white powdery film appearing on your furniture.
Hardwoods, on the other hand, offer a organic and natural appearance that no other material can match – with teak proving a popular choice for durability, longevity, weather resilience and a natural aesthetic.
Not only is teak resistant to the elements due to natural oils, it’s also highly durable and doesn’t retain heat like metal. The only catch is that it requires some annual maintenance to keep it looking its best.
As Leah Howatson, general manager of international markets at furniture brand Castlery, explains: "Teak is a wood with naturally occurring oils that give it a built-in resilience against the changing seasons including moisture, UV exposure, and the general wear that comes with year-round outdoor living."
What’s more, teak is naturally resilient and weathers beautifully over time.
Leah adds: "Its character only deepens with age. Simple upkeep goes a long way: wiping away excess moisture, using covers during harsher weather and avoiding prolonged standing water will keep it looking its best for years to come.
“Teak is a natural material, so don’t be afraid of the patina it will develop over time. But for anyone wanting to maintain its original warmer tone, occasional cleaning with mild soap and water, or teak oil treatments, can help preserve the finish.”
Ultimately, high-quality teak can last for years and years, so it well worth the investment rather than replacing other garden sets every 5-10 years. If you're considering investing in a teak furniture set, here's how to ensure it shines throughout the season in your garden...
How to ensure teak looks its best all summer
Despite its naturally durable qualities, teak does still need some care to ensure it looks its best.
Lee Trethewey, teak garden furniture expert at Sustainable Furniture, explains: “The main thing to always remember is that teak naturally silvers over time when left outdoors, and this silvering isn't a sign of material damage.
“Teak silvers as it naturally ages, which is one reason many people invest in teak furniture.”
But once this happens, you can easily revive it back to its former glory with a bit of TLC. Below Lee outlines three essential steps to follow when it comes to looking after teak furniture...
Prepping
Start by giving your teak furniture a proper clean at the start of the season.
Lee says: “You should use a specialist, water-based teak cleaner, and use a soft brush or microfibre cloth. While gentle, this should help to remove any excess oil, dirt, pollen, bird droppings or even mildew that's built up over winter and spring. If you don't have a specialist cleaner, then you can use a mix of washing up liquid and warm water, but be careful not to over-do the amount of washing up liquid you put in."
Golden Care Teak & Hardwood Cleaner
Golden Care Teak & Hardwood Cleaner
However, Lee stresses not to use a pressure washer on teak furniture, as it's too harsh on the grain of the wood and can damage it.
Protecting
Using teak shield is a great way to protect teak from stains. It won't protect the colour, but it will protect from stains while allowing for natural weathering, Lee explains.
He adds: “Using a teak protector on the other hand is a great way to protect your teak from the natural weathering. Frequently using a teak protector will ensure the brown of the teak will remain, protecting from UV and other weather that results in silvering.
Maintenance
During summer, wipe up any spills quickly, brush off leaves and garden debris regularly, and make sure to clean any bird droppings off as soon as possible.
Lee says: “Any stains left to sit on the teak for an extended period of time can permanently damage the teak, or at least make it much more difficult to clean.
“You don't need to cover your teak furniture from the sun if you're using protector or want the silvering effect. However, you could cover it before periods of rain to prevent water marks. Just make sure that the furniture is dry before covering, otherwise mould and mildew could form.”
Just remember, teak is fundamentally designed to withstand the outdoor elements – it just needs a bit of gentle cleaning and protection to help it along the way.
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Lizzie is the multiplatform editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
