We bought a teak bench for the garden a while ago and got conflicting advice on whether to apply teak oil or not. I ended up applying teak oil and the routine would suggest applying more teak oil for the summer.

But I’ve seen more today about not using teak oil. Does anyone know if/how we can make the switch to not using teak oil without harming the bench?

Teak tends to look after itself pretty well if left alone.
Give it a coat or two at the end of the summer if it looks dry. Fresh teak won’t absorb, or need, much .

Just teak oiled all my garden furniture.
It builds up into a protective finish, deep into the wood.
Teak oil polymerises over a few days to lock itself into the wood, this is good!
Unlike varnish, teak oil goes right into the wood and makes it inherently water repellent.
To be fair, with teak (and ash) you can probably get away with not treating it, but I have a teak table in the back garden that gets intermittent attention (rigorous teak oil this year, but nothing for the previous two years!). The table is 11 years old and is never covered for winter. Its still in great condition.

What advice have you had AGAINST teak oil?

Its pretty nasty stuff teak oil, lots of VOCs, we have a bench that’s thirty years old at home, never been oiled still good, looks dry but in no way rotting looks like its meant to be there.

What advice have you had AGAINST teak oil?

The most recent advice against it was the power of the internet, with links like

http://teakpatiofurnitureworld.com/should-you-treat-teak-patio-furniture-with-teak-oil/

http://teakpatiofurniturecare.wordpress.com/

and

http://www.teakoutdoorpatiofurniture.co.uk/caring-for-teak-outdoor-furniture

When I read them before it seemed like teak oil or similar was not necessary…

teak oil seems to be purely a cosmetic choice. Personally I prefer it silvered and clean..Looking like it’s always been there..

If it’s been out all winter – and is good quality teak (beware a lot isn’t)- clean/scrub it with (possibly a little persil) and plenty of water – stiff bristles.

You can colour restore it with oxybleach as well.

I don’t really think the oils penetrate (good teak is dense and laden) and tend to mildew/make things worse..

There is some other stuff like a sun block which can keep a brown colour as well..

If you can avoid it don’t power wash 🙂