Care & Maintenance

Indoors or outdoors, GIATI Teak Furniture can be enjoyed with little maintenance. However, a simple care and maintenance program is strongly recommended. Teak furniture will age more gracefully when properly maintained.

 

Expectations for Color Change: Over time, as your natural teak furniture is exposed to the elements, it will undergo a gradual color transformation from the honey color of new teak to the rich, silver-gray patina which distinguishes finely aged, outdoor teak.

 

Depending on your specific environment, natural graying and/or weathering may be noticeable after only a few weeks or a few months.

 

In drier climates, where the weather is more stable, your teak will weather gently. Expect the color to slowly fade, with some discoloration as the teak is exposed to infrequent moisture. In most climates, where the furniture is subjected to regular dewfalls and sunshine, the teak will weather more rapidly. Expect frequent water spots and discoloration when the weather is consistently moist or wet. Do not be alarmed; this condition can be easily washed away with soap, water and household bleach. If left unattended, the discolored areas will substantially disappear. In time, the overall color of your teak will become more uniform.

 

If you prefer, you may hasten the weathered appearance of your furniture and more quickly achieve a uniform, bone-white patina by washing your teak with a bleach and water solution using a 50/50 mix of household bleach and water. Wet all wood surfaces with the solution and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Do not allow the bleach to dry on the wood. At first, your solution will darken the teak and you will notice mildew spots or other stains lightening. When your furniture appears somewhat uniform in tone, begin the fresh water rinse. Afterwards, the furniture will dry quickly and lighten to a more uniform, bone-white patina.

 

During the weathering process, it is our recommendation that all cushions be removed from the furniture when it is wet, or not in use. Please reference the section on Cushion Care at the end of this document.

 

Maintaining A Smooth Finish: After the first few exposures to water, expect the surface grain to rise slightly. This is a natural occurrence. Rest assured that your GIATI furniture has been wet sanded (a unique, proprietary technique), which will significantly limit surface grain roughness. A cleaning with a soft-bristled brush (or sponge), soap and water will allow the wood to return to a condition similar to its original, smooth finish.

 

Cleaning Instructions: For routine, light maintenance when your furniture looks dirty or has water spots, clean with soap and water using a wet cloth. Rinse your cloth and repeat as necessary. Some water or other spotting may remain. To thoroughly clean your furniture, GIATI recommends a 3:1 solution of laundry detergent or dish washing soap and household bleach: three parts soapy water to one part bleach. Using a soft-bristled brush, wet and lightly scrub the entire piece. Do not allow the solution to dry on the furniture. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse your furniture with fresh water. This process will remove surface dirt and pollution, kill mildew (known to grow on almost anything), remove or lighten most black mildew spots should they occur, and allow the silver-gray patina to develop more evenly. This will also remove most raised wood grain fibers, returning your furniture to a feel similar to its original smoothness. After about a year and the first few cleanings, you can switch to a bleach and water-only solution without any scrubbing. If nothing else, periodically hose off your outdoor furniture with plenty of fresh water and allow it to dry in the sun.

 

This finish will aid in prolonging the honey color of your teak outdoor while adding some stain resistance. However, it is not a permanent solution! Over time, the elements will break down the finish and natural “weathering” will occur. (Please refer to the section on Natural Teak for weathering expectations.) If your want to prolong the honey color, you will need to reapply the finish BEFORE it begins to show signs of weathering. (Protective UV Inhibitor will not restore lost color.) Applying UV Inhibitor is relatively easy and re-application can be done by a non-professional. This process is time-consuming and strict adherence to directions is necessary. The challenge is one of timing and the condition of the finish prior to reapplication. Our experience and recommendation is that you enlist the help of a professional in order to achieve the desired results, thereby avoiding disappointment or other problems. GIATI will be happy to provide recommendations for purchasing the correct products.

 

Our classic Driftwood finish instantly provides a look similar to that of teak, which has weathered naturally over a period of time. Please note that this is a “decorative” and not a “protective” finish. When placed outdoors and exposed to the elements, your teak will eventually weather and develop a new patina. As the elements break down the decorative Driftwood finish, natural graying and weathering of the wood will occur. The newly “weathered” patina will gradually replace the Driftwood finish. A light wetting with a bleach and water solution followed by a fresh water rinse will help to even out any discoloration during the transition period.

 

Natural teak will stain or darken when exposed to food oils and most liquids. Therefore we strongly recommend that your teak be protected from foodstuffs when used in dining areas. In “non-food” areas and with a little care, GIATI teak will maintain its incredible smoothness, natural beauty, and rich color for years to come. If you do spill water or stain your teak, once the wood has dried, the mark can be easily removed. A light rubbing with a very fine Scotch Brite^® pad or #40 steel wool will usually remove dried water spots or light stains. Lightly dust off the area after rubbing with either item. Both items are available at most hardware stores. If you use steel wool, do not use water as it will react with the steel wool and wood and create dark stains. Over time, with exposure to ambient light, expect your teak furniture to slowly take on a beautiful, golden honey-colored tone.

 

With basic care, you can expect your oiled finishes to last beautifully indoors. To enhance the finish, we recommend occasional light re-oiling and cleaning with a product like non-aerosol Lemon Pledge^® or any non-building furniture polish. Re-oiling over a waxed surface is not recommended as the oil will likely dry unevenly on the surface. Oiled teak is much more resistant to staining by food oils that is natural teak. However, reasonable care must still be taken as many foods and liquids will penetrate and stain your furniture. In non-food areas, oiled teak provides a truly beautiful, lasting look and finish.

 

GIATI’s First European Quality (FEQ) teak naturally contains high amounts of oils and resins. Please refer to the section entitled “Natural Teak Finish (For Outdoor Use)” for expectations as your furniture weathers.

 

It is normal for some of the natural resins in the teak to leach out when it is exposed to a damp climate or rain. In order to protect the underside of your cushions, we highly recommend removing them when the furniture is damp or wet. Eventually, after exposure to the elements, these resins will stop leaching out, and cushion removal should no longer be son necessary. Should you happen to leave the cushions on the furniture while wet, a rust-colored stain may appear on the underside. Clean the cushions immediately using a soft brush and a mild soap water solution. If not treated quickly, the stain on the underside or backside of your cushions may prove to be irreversible.

 

GIATI’s cushions are made of Dri-Fast^® Foam, which releases moisture and dries quickly. However, in a heavy or continuous rain your cushions may become saturated. To dry them out faster, remove them from the furniture and place upright on their sides in a sunny area. This will allow the water to drain out of the cushion core faster. For any water or environmental staining, clean the cushions using a soft brush and a mild soap and water solution. For stubborn stains, contact GIATI for more specific cleaning suggestions.

 

A regular, simple cleaning program will maximize the longevity of the powder coat finish. First, loose debris deposits can be removed with a wet sponge. Next, clean with a soft brush and mild household detergent solution. Finish by rinsing with fresh water.

 

Generally, cleaning every six months is recommended. However, in areas that are near the ocean or exposed to pollutants, cleaning every few months is preferable.

 

While powder coat finishes are extremely durable, it is possible to chip or scratch them. For this reason, your furniture is shipped with a Care Kit that contains touch-up paint for repairing scratches and chips. Please follow the instructions printed on the front and back of the paint cans. For the spray paint, we recommend applying several lightweight coats instead of one heavy coat.

 

GIATI’s cushions are made of Dri-Fast^® Foam, which releases moisture and dries quickly. However, in a heavy or continuous rain your cushions may become saturated. To dry them out faster, remove them from the furniture and place upright on their sides in a sunny area. This will allow the water to drain out of the cushion core faster. For any water or environmental staining, clean the cushions using a soft brush and a mild soap and water solution. For stubborn stains, contact GIATI for more specific cleaning suggestions.