Teak

Teak is a dense, oily hardwood prized for outdoor furniture and boats. This section covers teak’s color and cost, cleaning and care, and restoring weathered teak.

Basics: teak color and teak cost.

Cleaning & care: clean teak, remove stains, and remove mildew.

Restore & treat: refinish teak, recondition teak, and treat teak.

Painting: painting teak.

For how teak compares with other species, see our types of wood guide.

Do you need to treat teak? Not for durability — teak is naturally weather-resistant; oiling or sealing is only to keep its golden color from graying.

How do you clean teak furniture? Scrub gently with mild soapy water (or a teak cleaner) and a soft brush, rinse, and let it dry fully before oiling.