Best Oil for Indoor Teak Furniture

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Teak is widely used for furniture because of its exceptional beauty and durability. Despite its strength, it requires proper care and maintenance, just like any other type of wood. Regularly oiling your indoor teak furniture can help preserve its natural appeal and keep it looking great for many years. There are several types of oil that you can use to oil your teak furniture, including teak, Danish, and tung oil. Let’s find which of these oils is right for you.

Why Oil Teak Furniture?

Teak is well-known for its remarkable durability. This kind of wood contains plenty of natural oils that help protect it from water, rot, and insects. However, the natural oils in teak will eventually run out, leaving it susceptible to fading, cracking, and damage. If left unattended, this can cause the wood to fade to a gray or greenish hue.

When you purchased your indoor teak furniture, you probably noticed its lustrous golden-brown color. Applying oil to your furniture is an effective way to restore the wood to its original color and bring out the grain. Note that you should avoid oiling outdoor teak furniture as it can lead to mildew growth.

Types of Oils for Teak Furniture

Before you start oiling your indoor teak furniture, it’s essential to know what type of oil you should use. Check out this comparison between a few commonly used oils to make an informed decision:

Teak Oil

It may surprise you, but teak oil isn’t derived from teak wood. Typically, it’s a mix of linseed oil for durability and tung oil for repelling water. It may also contain mineral spirits and varnish.

Teak oil is a tough and resistant oil with a consistency similar to that of varnish. Due to its thick consistency, it gives the wood a strong protective coating that can help resist fading and water stains. Moreover, this type of oil also enhances the appearance of your teak furniture by accentuating its color and grain. When it dries, it has a finish that ranges from matte to subtle satin, making the wood look richer and warmer.

Tung Oil

Tung oil comes from the seeds of tung trees, which are mostly found in China. It has been used as a wood finish for centuries. This oil is popular due to its ability to seep deep into the wood, forming a water-resistant barrier that serves as a robust protective shield. As it cures by oxidation over time, it creates a solid layer that doesn’t peel or chip. Additionally, the curing process also enhances the wood’s natural beauty. Since it’s a natural product, tung oil is a preferred choice among those who want to reduce their carbon footprints.

Danish Oil

Another type of oil that’s widely used for teak restoration and maintenance is Danish oil. Danish oil is a combination of a varnish and a penetrating oil, which can be tung oil or linseed oil. When it dries, its ingredients bind together and become hard. The hard layer helps the wood withstand chipping and cracking and offers excellent protection against moisture.

Unlike teak oil, which darkens the wood only slightly, Danish oil has a more dramatic darkening effect. Wood treated with this oil usually has a darker brown color and a richer tone, as well as a satin to semi-gloss finish.

Benefits of Using Teak Oil

Among the abovementioned types of oils, teak oil is probably the most popular. Below are some of the main benefits of using this oil for indoor teak furniture maintenance:

• Excellent wood protection: Teak oil penetrates deep into the wood and forms a protective barrier. This helps the wood withstand fading and cracking.
• Mold and mildew resistance: The protective properties of teak oil also prevent mold and mildew from growing on the wood’s surface. This is especially important for teak furniture in humid environments.
• Enhanced natural beauty: Teak oil brings out the distinctive grain patterns and rich and warm tones of teak wood, making it more visually appealing.
• Elasticity: Teak oil preserves the flexibility of the wood and prevents it from becoming brittle, resulting in a longer lifespan.
• Easy application: Applying teak oil to your teak furniture is an easy and straightforward process that doesn’t require extensive preparation.

How To Apply Teak Oil

As a general rule of thumb, you should oil your indoor teak furniture once every three to four months. Note that teak oil functions like a wiping varnish rather than a finishing oil. Take these steps to properly apply teak oil to your teak furniture:

1. Clean the surface: Make sure you clean your teak furniture before you start oiling it. You may also want to sand the surface a little to remove deteriorated wood cells and open up the grain.
2. Remove the old finish: Use sandpaper to remove any existing finish and prepare the wood for oiling. Make sure the final sanding goes with the wood’s grain.
3. Apply the teak oil: Apply teak oil to the wood with a paintbrush or rag and use strokes that run parallel to the grain. Allow the oil to soak into the wood for two hours before applying more oil.
4. Wipe the surface: After 15 minutes, wipe the surface dry and let the wood dry for about 10 hours.
5. Repeat the process: If you want a smoother surface, you can keep repeating the process until you achieve the desired finish.

Get in Touch With Teak Experts in Southern California

Using the right type of oil to maintain your indoor teak furniture can help it preserve its shine and natural beauty, making it look like new for many years. It can also enhance the wood’s resistance to cracking and chipping and overall longevity. Serving Los Angeles, Orange County, and other parts of Southern California, the teak specialists at TeakMaster can help you keep your teak furniture in tip-top condition. Whether you need expert advice on teak maintenance or want to schedule an appointment for professional teak care, feel free to contact us via phone or our contact form.