If you own teak furniture, you know it rarely requires care and maintenance because of its natural protective qualities. But with winter coming, you’re probably wondering whether to cover the furniture or not.
The answer depends on the winter conditions. If there is little to no snow, covering the teak garden furniture is unnecessary. However, if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, wrap the outdoor furniture in a breathable cover for protection.
Below, we’ll cover the other instances when you need to cover outdoor teak furniture. We’ll also reveal why it’s important to do so. Plus, we’ll share some tips to protect your prized teak pieces during winter.
Should Teak Furniture Be Covered in Winter?
Teak wood contains large amounts of natural oils and resins. These make the surface resistant to moisture, temperature changes, and other harsh elements.
In general, teak outdoor furniture can withstand winter conditions without a protective cover. It naturally resists moisture that may come from rain and snow. At the same time, it doesn’t crack or warp when exposed to freezing temperatures.
Despite its extreme durability against the elements, teak wood is still vulnerable to damage. It can also fade quicker when unprotected from heavy snow or rainfall.
So, if you live in an area where it snows or rains a lot, consider covering your wooden furniture. Use a breathable material to prevent a moist, damp environment. Remember that even the smallest amounts of moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth. Once they spread, you’ll find them difficult to remove.
Why Is It Important to Use Covers During the Winter?
Covering your teak outdoor furniture during winter months has two important benefits.
First, a protective cover can prevent your teak furniture from weathering or aging quickly. Exposure to rain or snow, which usually happens during the winter, can cause teak to fade. The sun can also lead to weathering. Some homeowners find the silver-gray patina that comes from aging attractive. But if you want to maintain the natural golden brown color of teak, always use a cover in the winter.
Second, outdoor furniture covers protect your teak furniture from excess moisture damage. Teak is a very porous wood, allowing it to absorb water quickly. And as mentioned, winter brings a lot of rain and snow, which contains moisture. If you leave the furniture unprotected, water inside the wood can lead to mold and mildew. Fungi growth can cause the wood to expand and decay. We highly recommend covering the outdoor furniture to prevent damage.
How to Protect Teak Furniture in Winter?
Although teak garden furniture is designed to withstand outdoor conditions, it still requires care to retain its strength and beauty.
Here are some steps to follow to protect teak garden furniture during harsh winter weather.
Clean the Surface
It can be tempting to neglect maintenance during the winter due to the cold temperatures outside. However, your outdoor furniture still requires cleaning because it’s constantly exposed to snow and excess moisture.
To clean teak furniture, move it away from direct sunlight. Doing so ensures the teak cleaner doesn’t dry quickly.
Next, mix soap and water in a spray bottle. You can also use a dedicated teak cleaner for wood furniture. Spritz some of the solution onto the surface.
Grab a soft-bristled natural brush to spread the soapy water across the entire surface.
Then, wash off soap suds with a garden hose. Finally, leave the teak garden furniture to dry before usage.
Regular cleaning can help teak maintain its pristine look by removing loose dirt, debris, and molds.
Wipe Off Standing Moisture Quickly
Still water and any wood, including teak, do not mix. Leftover water on your teak furniture can get inside the pores and become trapped in there. That leads to water stains and discoloration on the wooden surface.
Always remove standing moisture on your wooden furniture immediately, especially after it rains or snows.
If the water has already stained the wood, identify whether the stains are light or dark. The former is easier to remove because it hasn’t penetrated the natural material yet. However, the latter can be challenging to eliminate due to the water being deep within the pores.
To remove light water stains, pour lemon juice or vinegar with a small amount of water onto the surface. Use a natural brush and gentle strokes to get rid of the unwanted marks. Expect light stains to turn dark when left untreated for a long time.
Dealing with dark stains is more complicated. You must eliminate both moisture and mold growth, which causes the wood to become black. The best way to do this is to sand the wooden furniture. Use medium to fine-grit sandpaper (150 to 220) to remove the outer and inner layers of the wood. Sand following the direction of the grain for smoother results. If you’re not confident in sanding, you can always take the teak outdoor furniture to a professional.
Finally, apply teak sealer to protect the garden furniture from inclement weather.
Use a Furniture Cover
After cleaning and removing water stains from your teak outdoor furniture, cover it for further protection against the elements.
Look for a breathable furniture cover to prevent a moist and damp environment. Covers made with thick fabric or material may be worse than not using a cover at all. That is because the moisture can promote mold and mildew growth.
Alternatively, you can use a protective cover with an inflatable pillow. This free accessory creates a dome on top of the furniture. As such, it promotes air circulation underneath the cover to stop mold and mildew growth from the start.
You can even use a bigger cover to wrap around your teak garden furniture. Then, place an inflated pool toy underneath for extra space.
Move Your Teak Furniture Inside
If there is heavy rainfall or snow, you can opt to move your teak furniture inside the garage or shed. Doing so prevents water from leaking in. Avoid placing the wood near a heated room or water sources, such as gutters, because they promote humidity.
If the furniture is too heavy to lift, you can put a waterproof tarp on top of the furniture cover. You’ll want to remove any cushions or items that can absorb water before covering it, though.
Conclusion
Teak furniture is designed to withstand different outdoor conditions. However, you may wonder if that includes winter climates and whether you need to cover furniture or not.
In general, leaving teak furniture outdoors in the winter is safe. A protective cover is unnecessary if there is little to no snow. However, if the weather is harsher with a lot of snow and rain, you can use a cover. It prevents excess moisture that may lead to hairline cracks and mold growth.
Do you have other questions about teak outdoor furniture? Visit our contact page to send your queries!
