Teak Cleaning Tips

Cleaning teak can be simple and easy, however you need to realize that teak you need to use certain cleaners and solutions. Teak is one of the most durable and long lasting types of wood you can get, and is used in decks, furniture, boats and flooring. Teak grows near the equator in very tropical environs. It also requires a climate with wet and dry seasons. It is a very popular wood due to it's strength, and is often used for patio furniture so that the furniture does not rot and wear. Cleaning teak is simple if you know what products to use. Teak needs to be cleaned because mold and mildew can grow and spore on it over time, which causes black spots to form. Using one part teak cleaner, you can simply apply the cleaner to the wood and scrub gently for 10-15 minutes. After scrubbing, you should rinse the wood with water and apply bronze wood with the grain to release excess cleaner and open the pores of the wood. There are two kinds of teak cleaners out there, one and two part. One part cleaners, as explained above, are the gentler of the two, however, they require more time to be spent scrubbing. Two part cleaners are harsher, as they deal with acid, they are quicker though, and easier to use than their one part counterparts. Two part cleaners are applied in much the same way as one part cleaners, but require less scrubbing. First, an acid is applied, it is not harmful to the touch, as it is low grade. After applying it and lightly scrubbing it in, you apply a neutralizer to the wood. The neutralizer acts as a sort of cleaner for the acid, so it keeps the acid from slowly eating the wood away. The purpose of applying these cleaners is to kill the spores that mildew and mold leave, as well as kill any other bacteria on the wood. Household bleach will not kill these spores, so you need to use teak cleaners that are designed specifically for this kind of wood. Another misconception is that pressure cleaning will work. This is false. Pressure cleaning simply blasts dirt into the wood and can even damage the wood. It does not, however, kill any of the bacteria or spores that damage the wood to begin with. Cleaning teak outdoor furniture is important, but another important thing to do is keep it polished and finished. Teak will turn a silvery grey over time out doors. This is because the sun's UV rays have a unique effect on teakwood. By polishing with polish that specifically defends against UV rays and is designed for teak can protect against this.