There is nothing more frustrating than seeing one or more black spots on your teak furniture. You know they ruin the natural beauty of the wood. And eventually, they can affect the durability of the teak. So, how do you exactly get rid of these unsightly marks?
To remove black spots from teak furniture, use a mild bleach solution. Mix one part of bleach with ten parts of water. Let this teak cleaner sit on the wood surface for a few minutes before washing it off.
But if you are dealing with stubborn dark stains, you may want to refinish your teak outdoor furniture. This article will teach you how to remove black spots from teak. But first, we will cover why the hardwood turns black.
Why Does Teak Wood Turn Black?
Before removing black spots from teak wood, you must first understand what you’re dealing with. Below, we’ll provide insight into why dark stains appear in the hardwood.
Surface Stains
Teak outdoor furniture is exposed to different kinds of elements, including dust and dirt. When left to accumulate for a long time, these particles may harden into dark, almost black, spots on the wood.
Fortunately, dust and dirt are considered surface stains. That means they only affect the wood on the surface level. Despite their reputation as stubborn stains, they are relatively easy to clean, which we will cover later.
Water Stains
Another reason why teak wood turns black is due to water stains.
Teak is water-resistant, not waterproof, so any excess moisture can seep into the wood pores. Water causes mold and mildew to grow inside the wood. These manifest as black spots on teak wooden furniture.
Dark stains caused by water are more difficult to remove on the wood surface. They may require refinishing teak surfaces using teak cleaners and other products.
How To Remove Black Spots From Teak?
By now, you know the reasons why teak wood becomes black. So, how exactly do you remove these unsightly marks?
Here is a step-by-step guide on removing black spots from teak furniture.
Prepare the Things You’ll Need
First things first, you’ll need to prepare essential tools. These include a natural brush, a lint-free cloth, a soft scouring pad, and sandpaper or steel wool.
Next, ensure you have access to water (a garden hose is preferable) and a pail or container.
You must also buy a wood bleach solution and liquid soap to help remove black spots from teak surfaces.
Lastly, you may want to consider wearing a mask, safety goggles, and gloves. Working with strong cleaning solutions may irritate your eyes and skin. So if you want to be safe, get your protective equipment ready.
Choose a Suitable Working Area
After preparing the things you’ll need, the next thing to ensure is a proper working area.
You’ll want to work outdoors where airflow is good. The last thing you need is to inhale bleach, which harms your respiratory system.
You must also consider the area where you’ll remove the black stains. If there are nearby furniture pieces, cover them up with plastic sheets, old newspapers, or paper towels. You can also use these materials to protect your backyard deck or patio floor.
Clean the Surface
Once the tools and working area are ready, you can prepare the teak wood by cleaning it. Doing so removes the surface stains mentioned above.
Mix liquid soap with water to create a gentle wash solution. Next, use a soft bristle brush or scouring pad to spread the teak cleaner across the entire surface. Gently scrub the wood to remove stubborn dirt, dust, and grime.
Then, rinse the soapy residue off the teak furniture using a lint-free cloth soaked in water.
Remove Mold and Mildew
If you’re dealing with dark spots caused by water stains, you must remove mold and mildew immediately.
Get a pail or container. Combine one part of bleach with ten or fewer parts of water. Mix these ingredients until you get a thick paste.
Use a natural brush or scouring pad to rub the bleach solution over the whole surface. Let it sit on the teak outdoor furniture for a few minutes.
Then, use a damp cloth to wipe away residue.
Expect the bleach to eliminate mold growth in the teak furniture.
Refinish Teak Wood Furniture
In severe cases, mold and mildew grow deep beneath the surface of the teak wood. These are not easy to remove, even with bleach.
Fortunately, you can refinish the teak outdoor furniture to eliminate black spots.
To do this, you must first remove the outer wood layer. Grab coarse to medium sandpaper or steel wool to strip off the teak surface quickly. Sand following the wood grain to prevent scratches.
Alternatively, you can use wood wax or mineral spirits if you have already treated the furniture with teak oil, linseed oil, or other oil finish. Spread the product with a scouring pad to remove black spots and other debris.
After sanding or waxing, you must wipe any sand dust and residue.
Now, you’ll have access to the deep-seated water stains that caused the teak to turn black. Use the bleach solution to eliminate stubborn mildew growth.
Then, sand the wood again. This time, use fine-grit sandpaper for smoother results. Appy light pressure to prevent unnecessary damage.
Finally, coat the teak furniture with an oil finish, such as teak oil, linseed oil, or Danish oil. Doing so restores the natural strength and beauty of teak. Wait for the oil to completely dry before using the furniture.
Conclusion
Black spots on teak are surface dirt that has hardened or mold growth. It is important to remove them to prevent further damage to your wooden furniture.
You can remove black spots from teak surfaces by using a bleach solution. Spread the material over the wood surface with a natural brush or scrub pad. Leave it for a few minutes before wiping the residue away using a lint-free cloth. If you’re dealing with more stubborn mildew, you must refinish the teak furniture. Refer to the steps above for more detailed instructions.
Do you have more questions about caring for teak wood furniture? Feel free to browse our blog page for more maintenance tips and tricks!
