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How to clean teak bench?

B3B3 Posts: 24,435
edited April 2021 in Tools and techniques
One of my teak benches lives in the shade on grass . It's got too mossy and bird shttty.
I want to give it a bit of a clean.
It is unvarnished and I don't want to destroy its natural water resistance.
Much of the advice online involves bleach, which I feel will be too harsh. I'm not too bothered if some of the moss and lichen survives. I'm fact, I would prefer it.
I have thought of three things I might try.
A solution of:
Washing up liquid
 or Flash floor cleaner
or vinegar
Would any of those be suitable or something else?
Run off will be off patio onto path so I'm not too worried about plants getting damaged
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,967
    I have a teak bench that's about 30 years old.
    I used to use a stiff wire brush to remove any 'stuff' then wipe it over with teak oil.
    Eventually I got to like the faded look, so I just give it a brush in the spring now. I've not oiled it in 10 years or more and it looks good
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,435
    I don't oil mine either. Apparently once you start, it gets addicted.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,967
    Just a stiff wire brush should do the trick then.
    Don't use wire-wool as bits get caught in the grain and then leave rust marks
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,748
    I like the faded look too, so a stiff talking to with a brush and maybe oiled every three to five years. OH just bought a new teak table, it’s horrifyingly orange!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,435
    Thanks everyone. I've made a start with a stiffish brush. I think I'll just remove anything that might stick to your clothes.
    I don't like the orange either but it will soon fade in the sun. I like it squirrel grey. When the bgggggrs sit on the fence, they look like a carving.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 7,730
    You can clean it with a pressure washer as long as the pressure isn't set too high.  Most washer wands are adjustable.
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,435
    Thanks  @KT53 but I  didn't  want it that clean. Just clean enough🙂

    In London. Keen but lazy.
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