Care & Maintenance

Caring for Teak

Left to weather naturally outdoors, unfinished teak will gradually change color to a soft silver-grey as pigments in the surface layer begin to fade. We recommend allowing teak furniture to weather naturally in that way, and simply cleaning it thoroughly once or twice a year. If left in shade for long periods, teak will retain surface moisture and eventually develop mildew. Do not allow mildew to remain for extended periods. Remove mildew with teak cleaner, available at local hardware stores. Use a soft bristle brush to help with cleaning. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and place furniture in a sunny area to dry.

Never use a power washer to clean teak. If you wish to retain the gold-brown color of new teak, apply a teak sealer. Sealing your teak furniture will not affect its strength or longevity, only its appearance. Once you seal teak furniture, you will need to regularly reseal it to provide continuous protection. Sealing also voids the one-year DWR warranty.

We recommend customized DWR rain covers for teak furniture left outdoors for long periods of inclement weather. DWR rain covers are breathable to mitigate mildew growth. In winter, store in a shed or garage. Store cushions separately to prevent transfer of moisture.

Caring for Cushions

One of the best ways to keep outdoor fabrics looking good and to delay deep cleanings is to properly maintain the fabrics. This can be accomplished by simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded, wiping up spills as soon as they occur and spot-cleaning soon after stains occur. Do not iron or dry-clean. To keep cushions looking their best, take them inside when not in use.

Follow these steps for general or light cleaning:

• Brush off loose dirt.
• Mix a solution of 2 ounces (1/4 cup) mild detergent – such as Woolite® laundry detergent or Dawn® dish-washing liquid – dissolved in a gallon of lukewarm water.
• Use a sponge or a soft bristle brush to apply the solution.
• Allow solution to soak into fabric.
• Rinse thoroughly to completely remove solution residue.
• Allow fabric to air-dry.

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