Teak/Hardwood garden furniture - maintenance

pressure washer

Hmmm - hadn't thought of that.

Now - who do I know who's got one I can borrow :)

Cheers Dan.

I was reading a manufacturer's site just today that said that pressure washing was not recommended because it could force the dirt into the grain or somesuch unlikely claptrap.

Really great way to ruin timber, even teak.

I prefer a scraper, and a broken glass scraper is better than a hooked steel scraper. This takes the algae off, but doesn't remove the surface of the wood. To brighten it, try a commercial patio deck cleaner, which is a mixture of detergents and an oxalic acid bleach.

Teak goes grey though - live with it.

Try soaking the furniture with some warm water and mild detergent for a while then scrub with a soft brush across the grain.

If you really must pressure wash it, keep the nozzle as far from the furniture as you can as it may 'raise the grain' by stripping the pith away in between.

Wire wool can do the same, plus any strands that get stuck in the wood will rust and look unsightly.

cheers, Pete.