How to Clean Wood Before Applying Teak Oil

Teak wood is beautiful and will retain its rich color if you clean and oil it properly on a regular basis. Cleaning teak wood is not difficult, but it can be an expensive task because many people choose to purchase kits containing teak cleaner. These kits will leave your teak wood clean enough to apply oil to, but you can make your own teak cleaner for a fraction of the price. Just follow the steps below to thoroughly clean your teak furniture and prepare it for oiling.

Teak wood
5 gallon bucket
2 quarts household ammonia
1 capful of concentrated laundry detergent
Soft sponge
Hose connected to faucet

Instructions

- 1
  Place the teak wood to be cleaned on your driveway, or some place where the ammonia mixture will drain safely.
- 2
  Wearing long rubber gloves, pour two quarts of household ammonia into a 5-gallon bucket. Add one capful of concentrated laundry detergent, and mix with a soft sponge.
- 3
  Take the sponge saturated with the ammonia and detergent solution, and gently scrub the entire piece of wood, top and bottom. Dip the sponge in the cleaning solution as needed.
- 4
  Dispose of any remaining cleaning solution, and rinse the teak thoroughly with a garden hose.
- 5
  Allow to dry completely before applying oil.

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