December 8, 2009
Tips for looking after your Garden Furniture
Getting teak garden furniture can really enhance the usability of your garden. It can provide you with an area that allows you to relax and unwind. But if you intend to have this kind of furniture in your garden because of where the wood comes from it is important that you learn how to care for it correctly.
Teak is a hardwood and this is why furniture made from this wood is very durable. Also, the wood is much denser than other types and has high levels of resinous oil that means it has a much longer life. The oil within this wood helps to not only make it resistant to moisture but also to drying out.
Today you can either purchase teak garden furniture in its raw state or when it has been oiled. Furniture, which is still in its raw state when it arrives, will have a golden color to it. However, as time passes and if the wood is left, untreated it will fade to a silver grey color instead.
If you are quite happy for the wood to turn silver grey then once it has there is very little you will need to do in order for it retain it. For those, who however would prefer their would to retain that golden hue then it is important that they apply a layer of teak oil.
For furniture, which will be outside in the garden throughout the year, you will need to apply the teak oil every 6 months. However, before you actually apply the oil you will need to clean the furniture first.
The first that you will actually need to do is mix some mild detergent with warm water and then take a clean lint free cloth soak in the water. Then wring it out thoroughly until the cloth is only damp and use this to wipe the surface of the furniture with. This will help to remove any grime or dust that has built up on the furniture. Once the furniture has been wiped down with a damp cloth you need to leave it to dry before you start applying the oil.
Once the furniture is completely dry, you can start applying the oil. You can either do this by wiping it over the surface with a clean lint free cloth or by use of a spray gun. Using a cloth is much better as this allows you to spread the oil evenly over the surface of the wood. Once you have covered all the wood with the oil you need to leave it try until it is tacky to touch.
Once it is at this stage you should then dry with another clean lint free cloth and this will remove any excess oil on the surface of the wood. The final thing that one needs to do when oiling teak garden furniture is to buff or polish the surface with another clean rug an hour later.
Walton Garden Buildings are one of the biggest manufacturers of wooden garden buildings in the UK and sell a range of garden furniture, garden sheds, summerhouses as well as greenhouses of which there are a few varieties such as wooden, metal and polycarbonate.
Filed under Garden Furniture by Spencer Wilkins