Two hands working on teak tabletop slats with a soft cloth

Home Teak care How to Clean Teak Furniture

How to Clean Teak Furniture

Brush off loose dirt, put on a teak cleaner as its label says, scrub along the grain and rinse on a soft spray. The Star brite cleaner we sell goes on dry wood for 2 to 3 minutes; Anderson Teak uses wet wood and 4 to 5 minutes. For everyday dirt, mild detergent and water 2 to 3 times a year is enough.

What you need

Brush
Stiff nylon bristles, never wire
Water
Garden hose on a soft spray
Soap
Hot water with a mild soap for routine cleaning
Teak cleaner
Star brite Teak Cleaner and Brightener for gray or stained teak
Sponge and gloves
For the cleaner
Star brite teak cleaner and brightener, 32 oz

Cleaning teak step by step

The same routine works on teak benches, teak chaise lounges and teak deep seating frames with the cushions off, and on teak shower mats.

  1. Brush. Scrub off loose dirt with a stiff nylon brush, along the grain, while the wood is dry.
  2. Cleaner. Spread the Star brite cleaner on the dry wood with a stiff brush or pad and leave it 2 to 3 minutes, per its label.
  3. Scrub. Scrub with the grain to lift the dirt and gray fibers.
  4. Rinse. Rinse well with a hose on a soft spray.
  5. Dry. Let it dry fully before sealing or putting cushions back.

Anderson Teak gives its own routine for a generic teak cleaner: brush, hose down, sponge the cleaner onto the wet wood, wait 4 to 5 minutes, scrub with the grain, rinse. Follow the label of the cleaner you use.

Rain beading on clean teak slats

How to clean teak by condition

ConditionWhat to do
New, unfinishedWipe with a damp cloth before the first rain and before cushions go on: new teak releases oil in its first rains and can stain a patio
Dirty, still goldenMild detergent and water with a soft brush, 2 to 3 times a year, per Anderson
Gray or stainedA teak cleaner, then a sealer if you want the honey color back; see restore weathered teak
Black dotsMildew growing on dirt, not on the teak itself, per Kingsley Bate: teak cleaner, rinse, let it dry in the sun
Weathered teak slats, silver gray

Cleaning a teak shower bench

Rinse the bench with fresh water after each use and let it dry. Once a month, scrub it along the grain with mild soap and rinse well; soap film left on the wood is what feeds mildew. The corner stool and the Madison bench among our teak shower benches arrive with a water based sealer.

A teak shower bench in a bright bathroom

What is in a teak cleaner

The Star brite one step cleaner is acid based: its safety data sheet lists oxalic acid and glycolic acid at 5 to 10 percent each and warns of serious eye damage, so wear gloves and eye protection. Kingsley Bate gives a home mix instead: 2/3 cup laundry detergent, or 1/4 cup of an HE detergent, and 1/4 cup bleach in a gallon of warm water, with a soft brush.

Star brite teak care kit, three bottles

What not to use on teak

Pressure washer
Country Casual and Kingsley Bate advise against it, and Barlow Tyrie excludes pressure washer damage from its warranty
Wire brush or steel wool
Scratches the wood and can leave rust specks
Scrubbing across the grain
Leaves marks that show when the wood dries
Soap or cleaner left on
Rinse well: mildew grows on dirt and film left on the wood

Sources Anderson Teak FAQ, Anderson Teak care and maintenance, Kingsley Bate FAQ, Country Casual FAQ, Barlow Tyrie warranty, Star brite Teak Cleaner and Brightener, Star brite cleaner safety data sheet. Checked October 5, 2026.

Short answers

Teak cleaning questions

The long ones go to help@teakpatiostore.com.

What is the best cleaner for teak furniture

For routine dirt, mild detergent and water. For gray or stained teak, a teak cleaner, used as its label says. Kingsley Bate mixes 2/3 cup laundry detergent, or 1/4 cup of an HE detergent, and 1/4 cup bleach in a gallon of warm water.

Can you use Dawn to clean teak furniture

Yes, a little mild dish soap in water is fine for routine cleaning, in line with the mild detergent wash Anderson suggests 2 to 3 times a year. Rinse it off well.

How do you get black spots off teak

Black dots are mildew growing on dirt on the wood, Kingsley Bate says. Scrub with a teak cleaner or a detergent mix along the grain, rinse well and let the wood dry in the sun.

Is Murphy oil soap good for teak

It is made for finished indoor wood. On outdoor teak we stick to Anderson advice: hot soapy water, a teak cleaner for gray or stained wood, and a good rinse.

How often should I clean teak outdoor furniture

Anderson suggests a wash with mild detergent 2 to 3 times a year. Do a full clean with a teak cleaner before you seal.

Should I oil teak after cleaning

Only if you want the golden color, and Anderson recommends a teak sealer once a year over oil, which needs a coat about monthly. Left alone, clean teak weathers to silver gray and stays strong.

Cleaner, sealer, kit

Teak care productsTeak shower benchesTeak oil vs tung oil vs sealerRestore weathered teakTeak furniture in winter