Furniture Cleaning Tips for Teak Furniture

Best practices for outdoor Furniture Cleaning depends on the type of furniture you own. Plastic, iron and wood furniture require different approaches to cleaning and preservation of their finishes. Outdoor teak furniture, however, calls for an entirely different set of cleaning methods. Here's how to tackle the job:

CHOOSE A SPACE

For a messy job like this, it's best to work outdoors. If the elements aren't allowing you to work outside, be sure to lay a drop cloth down on the floor and keep your work area ventilated. Carry the furniture into the work space, and gather what you need.

CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS

For most outdoor furniture cleaning jobs, you'll need a few clean, soft rags and a plastic brush. Don't use a metal brush, because it provides too much power for the cleaning job and will damage the teak furniture. Gather your bucket and cleaning solutions for the job, too.

REMOVE THE DIRT

Use a natural product like Murphy® Oil Soap to get rid of dirt and grime that has built up on outdoor furniture over the winter. Mix warm water with your solution in a bucket and wash down the furniture using liberal amounts to get rid of months' worth of dirt. You can also try a homemade solution of ammonia, vinegar and warm water, which Better Homes And Gardens recommends for wood such as teak.

You should schedule your outdoor furniture cleaning at the beginning and end of the summer, and more often if your furniture looks dirty. With the right cleaning practices and a gentle hand, you can keep your outdoor teak furniture looking great.

This article was brought to you by Colgate-Palmolive Company, the makers of Murphy® Oil Soap. The views and opinions expressed by the author do not reflect the position of the Colgate-Palmolive Company.