New Natural Teak
Fresh teak begins with a warm golden tone and rich natural character.
Teak Care
Teak Care Guide
Made for outdoor living.
Designed to age beautifully.
Teak is naturally durable, low maintenance, and beautifully suited for outdoor living. With simple care, it can be enjoyed for years while developing character that is entirely its own.
Weathered Gray
Outdoor exposure gradually gives teak its signature soft silver-gray patina.
Cleaned & Sealed
Cleaning and sealing can help maintain more of teak’s warmer golden appearance.
01
Why Teak Is Worth the Investment
Teak has been used for generations because it lasts. From outdoor furniture to luxury yachts, it’s known for its durability, beautiful grain, and ability to age gracefully outdoors.
It also requires very little maintenance compared with many other woods. Over time, the warm golden color naturally softens into a silver-gray patina, giving each piece more character as it ages. That change is part of the beauty of teak, and one of the reasons it remains such a worthwhile investment.
How quickly the color changes depends on the amount of direct sun and weather exposure your swing receives. Using a protective cover when your swing isn’t in use can help reduce that exposure and slow the weathering process if you prefer to keep more of the original golden tone.
02
Routine Care
Teak does not require complicated upkeep. Occasional cleaning is usually all that is needed to remove dirt, pollen, and everyday outdoor buildup.
1
Wet the surface
Rinse the teak with a garden hose before cleaning.
2
Clean gently
Use mild soap and water or a cleaner specifically formulated for teak.
3
Work with the grain
Gently scrub with a soft nylon brush or sponge, following the direction of the wood grain.
4
Rinse thoroughly
Remove all soap and cleaning-product residue.
5
Allow to dry
Let the teak dry completely before applying any finishing product.
If the surface feels slightly rough after drying, lightly sand with fine-grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain.
Do not pressure wash teak. High-pressure washing can damage the wood’s surface, raise the grain, and leave it rough or uneven.
03
Choose the Look You Love
If you love the soft silver-gray patina, let the teak weather naturally over time and simply clean it as needed.
If you prefer to keep more of the original golden tone, a protective finish can help slow the color change. These treatments are about appearance, teak does not need them in order to perform outdoors.
04
Finishing Options
Our Preferred Option
Teak Sealer
A quality teak sealer is our preferred choice if you want to maintain more of the wood’s warm golden tone. A water-based teak sealer made for outdoor use can help slow the natural graying process while keeping a more natural look and feel.
Teak Oil
Teak oil can deepen the color of the wood and create a richer appearance, but it requires more frequent maintenance and reapplication.
Oil can also attract dirt and moisture and may contribute to mildew in humid environments, so we do not recommend it for routine care of ModHaven swing beds.
Varnish
Varnish creates a coating over the wood rather than allowing teak to keep its natural surface and feel.
Outdoors, that finish can chip, crack, or peel over time and may require more involved upkeep, so it is not our recommended approach for normal teak care.
05
Maintaining the Golden Tone
If you choose to use a teak sealer, begin with clean, completely dry wood.
1
Clean and dry
Make sure the teak is clean, completely dry, and free of dust.
2
Lightly sand if needed
If necessary, lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain.
3
Test first
Test any sealer on a small hidden area before applying it to the entire piece.
4
Apply as directed
Follow the sealer manufacturer’s instructions and apply evenly, working with the direction of the grain.
Direct sun and weather exposure will continue to influence the color of the wood, so occasional reapplication may be needed if you want to maintain the warmer golden appearance.
Good to Know
Teak Care Do’s & Don’ts
Do’s
- Clean with mild soap and water or a teak-specific cleaner.
- Use a soft nylon brush or sponge and work with the grain.
- Test cleaners and sealers on a small hidden area first.
- Apply finishing products only to clean, dry teak.
- Use a water-based teak sealer if you want to maintain a warmer tone.
- Use a protective cover to help reduce direct sun and weather exposure.
- Wipe spills promptly to help reduce staining and buildup.
Don’ts
- Don’t pressure wash teak.
- Don’t use steel wool or harsh abrasives.
- Don’t sand against the grain.
- Don’t apply finishing products to wet or dirty wood.
- Don’t use teak oil for routine care.
- Don’t mistake natural graying for damage or deterioration.