You can take care of your teak! Watermarks are a headache for homeowners who love keeping their homes in tip-top shape. Learning how to maintain teak wood can be tricky, but you’re in the right spot. So, if you’ve reached this page, you might be panicking trying to figure out how to remove water marks from modern teak furniture. Don’t worry, it’s a relatively simple process, and we’re here to help!
If you are looking for a more top level view of teak furniture maintenance, check out our teak furniture care guide to have all your questions answered!
How to Maintain Teak Wood, the Methods
1) The Iron
2) The Hair Dryer
3) Toothpaste
4) Lemon Juice Vinegar
5) Treating Severe Teak Water Stains
6) Bonus – How to Get Rid of Water Rings on Teak Wood
watch for a summary of this article
2 Types of Watermarks
Teak has a natural oil that sets it apart from other types of wood. Teak doesn’t need the same amount of care and maintenance that maple, cherry, oak, and walnut tables require. Originally used to make boats, teak has become a popular material for outdoor furniture because of its recognized durability. Staining teak wood is easier than you think and there are multiple ways to get this done.
To understand what we’re up against, it’s important to know that there are actually two types of watermarks. Water rings are a little different because they’re created as a result of condensation and moisture when glass cups are placed on wood without a coaster.
Surface Stains
Surface stains are lighter in color and have a whitish appearance. This is moisture that is trapped underneath the film coating of your teak furniture. The iron trick below works great for surface stains by drawing the moisture to a dry cloth.
Wood Stains
Dark teak water stains can happen when water marks are able to penetrate deeper into the wood for one reason or another. Minerals inside of teak react with moisture and create the stain. You’ll have to refinish your teak furniture for this. More info on this below.
5 Ways to Remove Water Stains from Teak
1. The Iron Trick
Lay a dry towel over the watermark on your table. Set the iron on a medium setting to prevent damage to your table.
Gently iron over the towel a few times. After doing this a few times, remove the towel to note your progress.
Continue running an iron across the towel until the water stain is completely removed. The heat dissipates excess moisture from the wood. Afterward, you should polish your teak furniture with lemon oil and reseal the surface. This will restore any oil that may have been removed during the ironing process.
2. Hair Dryer
Okay, you got me! So the hair dryer trick is just a different version of the iron trick. Lay a dry towel over the watermark on your table. Set the hair dryer on a medium (or warm) setting to prevent damaging table.
Slowly move the hair dryer over the towel a few times (with about 4-6 inches between them). After doing this a few times, remove the towel to check your progress.
Continue blowing the warm air across the towel until the water stain is completely removed. The heat dissipates excess moisture from the wood. Afterward, you should polish your teak furniture with lemon oil and reseal the surface. This will restore any oil that may have been removed during the hair drying process.
3. Toothpaste
Apply a dab of toothpaste on the watermark.
Grab a toothbrush and massage the paste in a circular motion into your teak furniture.
Remove all excess paste with a clean rag.
Inspect the surface for any abnormalities. Repeat until watermark is completely removed.
4. Lemon Juice Vinegar Trick
Mix lemon juice OR vinegar with salt until it forms into a thick paste.
Rub your paste over the watermark for about a minute.
Use a damp rag to wipe away any leftover residue.
Polish the surface with some teak oil to restore the desired finish.
5. Severe Teak Water Stains
In severe cases, teak furniture can be refinished. This will take a little more time but it will also revitalize your outdoor set! Follow these easy steps to remove dark water stains from wood.
Start by sanding with steel wool and wood wax. You can also use 320 grit sandpaper. Apply light pressure so you don’t create an uneven surface. Blend with the surrounding area to make changes less noticeable.
After you’re done sanding, you should be looking at a fresh layer of natural wood. Wipe away any dust and coat your teak furniture with a layer of lemon/teak oil.
If the finish is too light, you may want to stain the area with a matching wood stain to blend tones together.
Bonus: How to Get Rid of Water Rings on Teak Wood
If you have noticeable water rings on your teak furniture from glasses or cups, there are a few methods you can try to remove them.
- Rub the rings gently with toothpaste using a soft cloth. The abrasives in toothpaste can help lift the moisture marks. Rinse clean afterwards.
- Use lemon oil on a soft cloth to rub the water rings. The oil will help dissolve the moisture and restore the wood finish.
- Try using a clothing iron on a low setting with a cloth underneath to gently warm the wood and draw out excess moisture.
- Sand the water rings lightly with fine grit sandpaper to remove the top layer of wood. Finish with oil or stain to restore.
Be patient removing water rings. It can take some elbow grease, but you can diminish the look of rings with the right techniques.
Additional Furniture Care Resources:
- Of Termites and Teak: Do They, Or Do They Not Eat It?
- Stainless Steel and Teak Furniture – A Winning Combination!
- How to Protect Patio Furniture From Freeze Damage
And if you’re just in the mood to replace or upgrade your teak furniture, we’ve got some amazing luxury options for you!
About this Post
This post was written by Cheryl Khan, an outdoor enthusiast and DIY fanatic. When she is not tending to her backyard garden, she is looking for new ways to improve the aesthetics of her home!
Cheryl is an award-winning landscape design consultant in San Diego, CA. She has over a decade of experience in the design world, working on both interior and exterior projects. She received her certification in design in 2010 and has contributed to the design of 7 separate furniture collections. Cheryl began lending her expertise to Patio Productions’ blog in 2012. When she’s not living in the furniture and design world, she’s busy playing with her dogs at home, or curling up with a cup of black coffee and a beautiful book on modern design. Her favorite patio furniture are her Acapulco Chairs in lightning blue.
