Toronto winters put outdoor furniture through a lot — freeze-thaw cycles, wet snow, salt in the air near the lake, and long stretches where furniture might not get checked on for weeks at a time. Here's how to make sure your teak comes through it in good shape.
The Good News First
Teak is genuinely one of the best woods for handling this kind of climate. Its natural oils make it resistant to rot and moisture damage in a way most outdoor furniture materials simply can't match. Leaving teak outside all winter, even completely uncovered, won't ruin it structurally. But a bit of prep goes a long way toward keeping it looking its best when spring rolls around.
Before Winter Hits
Give it a proper clean first. Don't cover or store furniture with a season's worth of dirt, pollen, and grime already on it — that just traps everything against the wood through the winter months. A quick clean before putting covers on or bringing pieces inside makes a real difference.
Let it dry completely. Covering or storing damp furniture is one of the most common causes of mildew and dark spotting showing up by spring. Give it a full day to dry out after cleaning before covering it up.
Consider a fresh coat of sealer. If you're planning to keep furniture outside all winter, sealing beforehand adds an extra layer of protection against moisture and the freeze-thaw cycle specifically.
Covering vs. Bringing Indoors
If you have the storage space, bringing teak furniture into a garage, shed, or basement over winter is the gentlest option and will keep it looking best. If that's not practical, breathable outdoor furniture covers are the next best thing — the key word being breathable. Non-breathable covers or tarps can actually trap moisture against the wood and make mildew worse than leaving furniture completely uncovered.
What to Avoid
Standing water. Make sure furniture legs aren't sitting in puddles or snowmelt for extended periods.
Non-breathable tarps. As mentioned, these can trap moisture rather than protect against it.
Ignoring cushions. If your set includes cushions, remove and store those separately regardless of what you do with the frames — cushions don't have teak's natural resistance to moisture.
When Spring Arrives
Even with good winter prep, it's normal for teak to look a bit duller or greyer after months outside. A light clean is usually all that's needed if you prepped well going into winter. If you skipped prep or the furniture went through a rough winter uncovered, that's when a fuller seasonal restoration might make more sense before you start using it again.
Not sure whether your furniture needs winter prep or a spring restoration? Send us a few photos and we'll let you know. Get a free quote — serving Toronto, the GTA, and Muskoka.