Most wooden garden furniture is made from trees like teak, oak, redwood, eucalyptus, courbaril and among others. These hardwoods contain natural oil which makes them weather resistant, strong and very durable that they could be left outdoor without rotting for many years. Of all the hardwoods, teak is the most preferred of all because it is highly saturated with natural oil making it very resistant to rotting, different weather and other outdoor elements. Though teak can be more expensive compared to other hardwoods, it can give you many years of good service; thus, it is a great value for your money. Even if teak furniture are durable and can be left alone on their own, there are means to care for your furniture to make them last even longer and maintain their beauty.
Before anything else, you should know that all hardwood when they are exposed to rain and sun will develop cracks. Do not worry if this happens as this is only normal. This does not affect the durability of the wood either. Most timber will develop cracks after a long summer but crack will disappear once the weather is cooler or damp. Normally, any hardwood will turn into a silver grey color over time but some may vary in color and markings.
If you want to preserve the smooth finish and the original color of your furniture, there are many products available in hardware stores that are made specifically for teak and any other hardwood. To do this you have to wash first the teak wood with soap and warm water. When it is completely air dry, you can then apply teak brightener and finishing of with teak oil. Regular application of teak oil will minimize development of cracks and slow down weathering. Make sure that the timber is completely dry before applying teak oil because if it is not dry enough it may cause blackening. Though painting teak furniture is also a good idea, it is not, however, encouraged by most manufacturers as it will ruin the natural color of the wood.
Most outdoor furniture manufacturers would recommend letting the teak wood to weather on its own to bring its natural color of silver grey but you may have to scrub and clean them with soap and water once in a while to remove algae, moss and dirt.
Hopefully, the above guidelines will help you care for your wooden garden furniture to make them last longer and retain their beauty.