Taking care of the teak furniture
The prices of the teak furniture have shot up like a rocket. The restrictions on the chopping of trees to save our natural environment are the reason for the same. But those who already have teak furniture should take proper care of the same if they want to really value what they have. The pure teak furniture is a blessing from the Mother Nature and taking care of it the right way is not only to maintain your furniture but also to respect this invaluable gift of nature.
The care of teak furniture is an easy task. The teak furniture is very durable and weather resistant form of hardwood from the Southeast Asia. The content of oil in the teak is very high naturally. This makes the wood very stable and when it is exposed to a variety of climactic conditions. The teak is one of the oldest forms of wood and centuries earlier it used to be the favorite of the marine builders. The teak had become a vital and popular option in making furniture. The teak also seems to be a very good option for the outdoor furniture also.
There is also the unfinished teak furniture which is known as the unfinished teak or the untreated teak. This form of teak weathers over the time and turns to a silver grey color. This teak can be maintained easily and requires periodic cleaning so that the dirt can be prevented from accumulating and the stains can be avoided also.
The best way to clean teak is to use the solution of warm water with soap or a mild detergent. The solution should then be gently scrubbed over the wood but only in the direction of the grain. This prevents the teak from flaking out or the grains getting spoilt. The teak should be rinsed thoroughly and also be allowed to dry completely before it can be used again. The use of the pressure nozzle on the garden hose also helps to loosen the worst form of accumulated dirt and debris which gets in to the corner and crevices and stays there if not cleaned periodically. The pressure washing of the teak should be done with care and caution as it can get damaged due to the excess pressure of the same. The pressure of 1200psi is generally suggested.
The nozzle should also be adjusted to a fan pattern as contrast to the small jet stream. This should be maintained at a 6-10” in between the surface of the furniture and the nozzle. The wetting of the furniture before the wash also helps to soften the dirt and will need less pressure while washing. The pressure washing may raise the grain of the teak. To solve this problem a medium sand paper can be used and sanded lightly over the teak. Again the direction of the grain of wood is very important while sanding. If the sanding is done in the opposite direction there will be scratches on the teak.
