How to care for wooden garden furniture

Your wooden furniture may develop small cracks and fissures due to changes in humidity and temperature, which is nothing to worry about. These features are inherent in wooden furniture and are to be expected. This may be especially apparent during extreme conditions (for example, prolonged rainy periods and scorching heatwaves). Your wood will naturally acclimate once the furniture has been in position for a while and once weather conditions normalise.

Hairline cracks will disappear over time once your furniture has adjusted to the environment and humidity levels. The cracks are perfectly normal and to be expected, and will rectify themselves over time.

In the same way that every tree in nature is different, so are the furniture pieces that the trees are made in to. It is perfectly normal for each piece to have a slightly different look; the grain, tone, and wood pattern may differ slightly from piece to piece.

Knots are naturally occurring in all wooden products and they are nothing to worry about. Knots add a distinctive charm to any piece and makes each item truly unique.

Over time, the oils in the product naturally lift from the wood and this causes it to turn to a beautiful grey colour. The oils will initially lift within the first week or two of the product being outside, also known as letting the wood 'breathe'.

We recommend wiping the wood with a clean dry cloth, to absorb any excess oils and to stop it from staining surrounding items. For this reason, we would recommend storing the cushions in a safe place, until the wood has time to 'breathe'.

As natural wood is exposed to the elements, it gradually changes colour from the honey colour of new teak to a silver-grey patina which distinguishes finely aged, outdoor wood. After a while this silver-grey patina deteriorates to a dark-grey and greenish appearance if it remains untreated. For more information on how to maintain, or restore, the natural honey colour please read more in the 'How to restore or maintain the colour of wooden furniture' section below.

• During the colder months and periods of heavy rain, it is always best to store your furniture in a dry and well ventilated location (preferably under permanent shelter) to prevent excessive expansion or shrinkage of the wood.

• Before storing for winter, clean the furniture thoroughly to remove dirt, debris, and any stains. Use a dish detergent and warm water with a soft brush or sponge to clean. For an added layer of protection we would recommend using our Teak & Hardwood Shield, which will create an extra barrier against water.

• Allow the furniture to dry completely before proceeding to cover.

• Remove any cushions and store them separately in a dry, indoor space.

• If you have indoor storage space, it's ideal to store the furniture indoors to protect it from extreme cold, moisture, and snow. A garage, shed, basement, or any covered area is best.

• If you cannot store the furniture inside you can alternatively use a breathable, non PVC-backed furniture cover to store your furniture outside. Please read our guidance on covers in the 'Should I use a furniture cover?' section below.

• We recommend covering your furniture when not in use to preserve the natural wood. It is important to use a breathable, non-PVC backed furniture cover to minimise the risk of mould and mildew, we highly recommend our AeroCover range to protect your wooden furniture.

• It is important to ensure the furniture is completely dry before covering, and you must check it at least once a month when covered to ensure there is no mould or mildew growth.

• Cushions must always be removed from the set and stored in a cool, dry place.

• Do not use a PVC-backed cover as this is not recommended and may lead to damage to the wood.

• Please ensure the cover doesn't come in to contact with flat surfaces such as table tops and sofa arms. There should be reasonable space for the wood to breathe. A support pole is needed to aid in lifting your cover away from flat wooden surfaces.

• If you store the furniture outdoors with a cover in the winter you should elevate it from the ground using wooden blocks or other supports. This helps prevent moisture absorption from the ground and promotes air circulation.

• If you're covering for winter, we recommend adding an extra layer of protection with our Teak & Hardwood Shield, which will create an extra barrier against water.

To keep your cushions in the best condition, we recommend that you always store the cushions in a sheltered dry location, free from moisture. Cushions should not be stored on the furniture underneath a furniture cover when the cushions are not in use – this may lead to mould growth (due to a combination of moisture and warmth).

A good alternative is our Large Cushion Storage Bag.

Do not use a detergent containing ammonia or silicon as they can cause cracks in the wood. Do not use an abrasive brush or cloth (for example, steel wire wool). We don't recommend the use of bleach to remove mould, read below for our recommendations.

Regularly wipe down the wood using a soft, clean brush and wipe down with a damp cloth. Use dish detergent and warm water to help any grime and dirt build up. Always wipe any spills immediately to prevent any permanent staining.

The furniture can attract mould due to the naturally porous nature of wood. The absorbed water can then provide the perfect breeding ground for mould. Mould and mildew thrive in damp and warm conditions, which can be caused my bad air circulation, air tight conditions or covering the wood if it's wet.

To help prevent any mould or mildew build up, the most effective way is to provide a dry environment. Mould will struggle to grow in a dry environment so try to store under permanent cover with plenty of air flow.

If you are using a furniture cover to protect your set, regularly check underneath to ensure there is no mould build up. If you notice the start of any spores, wipe them away with a cloth and ensure the surface is dry to prevent any further growth. Do not cover your furniture until it is completely dry as mould thrives in damp areas.

Provide good ventilation in the storage area. Avoid enclosing the furniture in airtight spaces, as this can lead to moisture accumulation and mould growth. It can also help to elevate your furniture off the ground if storing outdoors. Elevate the furniture off the ground slightly using blocks, or supports as this helps prevent moisture absorption from the ground, reducing the likelihood of mould.

If you do experience mould, please read our 'How can I remove any mould from the wood?' section below.

If you're unable to wipe away all of the mould with just a cloth, we would recommend using a cleaning solution of warm water and dish washing detergent (ensure the detergent does NOT contain ammonia or silicon, as they can cause cracks in the wood).

If dish washing detergent is not effective, you can use a mix of distilled white vinegar and warm water to help kill and remove any mould at the source (mix one cup of water with three tablespoons of distilled white vinegar).

Rinse away the white vinegar solution with clean, warm water and pat the area dry to remove any excess moisture. Do not cover the furniture again until it is completely dry.

If mould is left too long it will penetrate the wood and killing it may not necessarily remove the black stains they leave behind.

In the warmer months (from April onwards) the sun's warmth is ideal for drying out mould and moisture on wooden furniture and naturally bleach and lighten the black spots.

Ultraviolet light's short wavelengths are germicidal, capable of destroying both mould and germs. Additionally, sunlight eliminates bacteria that cause unpleasant mould and mildew odours.

Avoid pressure washing your wooden furniture as this can damage the wood. We would recommend using a hose, which has a lower pressure and is gentler on the wood.

Depending on the environment, natural greying and/or weathering may become noticeable after only a few months. In drier climates wood will take several months to weather. If the wood is exposed to infrequent moisture, the colour will fade slowly with minor decolourisation. In moist climates, where furniture is subjected to regular rain, dew and sunshine, teak & hardwood outdoor furniture will weather more quickly.

If you wish to preserve the original teak colour of your wooden garden furniture, we would recommend using our Teak Protector. Allow the wood to 'breathe' for 10-14 days (depending on the levels of humidity and sun) to allow the teak oils to lift and naturally evaporate.

Once the wood has had ample time to 'breathe' you can apply our Teak Protector, which will maintain the original colour of the wood. Please follow the safety instructions on the bottle.

The Hardwood & Teak Shield is an almost invisible wood impregnator that makes it difficult for wine, olive oil or butter to seep into teak. It helps to prevent stains while keeping the natural look of the surface and also allows moisture vapour transmission, with built-in Mould & Mildew inhibitor.

The Shield also helps maintain the beautiful patina grey teak colour for longer. We would recommend using the shield approximately every 12 months (or when you notice that the wood begins to stop repelling water and stains).

Depending on the finish you want, and whether the set is brand new or you've had it a while, use our hand infographic to help determine how often you should be treating the wood.

Please note the timing can vary depending on the weather conditions and you may need to treat it earlier than indicated, especially in environments with heavy rainfall, high humidity, and areas that have a high and prolonged UV exposure. You will need to observe the decolourisation of your teak to help determine when treatments are needed. Our infographic shows the decolourisation cycles which you can match to your own furniture and act accordingly.