How to Clean a Teak Shower Bench to Preserve Its Shine

Is your once-gleaming teak shower bench turning dull?

Without proper care, teak can lose its luster and become susceptible to mildew.

This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step solution to how to take care for a teak shower bench and restore its natural shine.

How to Clean Teak Shower Benches

Teak shower benches are very easy to clean, and you can do that with everyday household items.

Your teak shower bench will look stunningly new with a few household products, elbow grease, and some guidance.

But be careful — if you don’t clean your shower bench right, you can cause more harm than good. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean a teak shower bench.

1. Choose Your Cleaner Wisely

There are several teak wood cleaners out there.

You can buy one in a store or make one yourself at home.

You can make a cleaner at home by mixing water, vinegar, and about two spoons of dish or hand soap.

How much you mix should depend on how big your bench is.

2. Apply the Cleaner to the Bench

Once your cleaner is ready, rub some onto the bench and leave it on for two to three minutes.

3. Grab a Soft Scrubber and Start Scrubbing

You should do this as gently as possible.

Scrubbing too hard can scratch or scuff the wood.

Make sure to clean all the hidden corners and bench edges.

4. Rinse Your Bench

Once you are done scrubbing, rinse off the bench with some water.

If the bench isn’t clean enough, repeat the steps above until you are satisfied with the result.

5. Dry the Bench

You should let the bench dry off for as long as possible.

Once it’s done, apply some teak oil to protect the wood and add some extra shine.

Make sure to wipe away any excess oil.

Before using the bench again, you should let the oil dry thoroughly.

This usually takes a day or so.

Using the bench before it is completely dry can ruin the protection layer it provides.

How to Maintain Your Teak Shower Bench

While cleaning can restore your shower bench to its former shine, there are some other ways you can extend its lifetime. 

Here’s a list of things you can do to keep your teak shower bench in good health.

Do Not Use Power Washers on the Bench

Power washers operate at very high pressures.

Using one on your teak shower bench will damage the wood.

Once the surface is damaged, water can get into the wood and cause even further damage.

Avoid using power washers on your shower benches at all costs.

Do Not Use Hard Scrubbers on Your Teak Shower Bench

Rough materials like scouring pads and steel wool should never be used on your teak shower bench.

They can scratch the wooden surface and destroy the finishing.

Scratches can also pave the way for further damages to be done to the bench.

Soft materials like mild sandpaper are the only acceptable materials for cleaning your bench.

Nevertheless, this should only be done when necessary.

Always Pre-treat Your Teak Shower Bench

Pre-treating your furniture with a protector preserves its color.

The right teak protector stops your furniture from turning grey or black.

It also protects it from any damage caused by the sun. you can apply teak protector after cleaning your bench.

Rinse Your Bench After Using It

Rinsing your bench after each use can aid in getting rid of dirt and residue quickly.

This will ensure that you don’t have to use cleaners on the bench often.

Regular rinsing will also keep your shower bench shiny.

Apply Teak Oil on a Frequent Basis

Once you are done rinsing and drying the bench, use some teak oil on the surface.

The oil will help maintain the shiny look of the bench and give it an additional layer of protection.

Do Not Keep Your Bench Under Direct Sunlight

Sunlight can cause the bench to lose its color quickly, so try not to expose it to direct sunlight.

Never Use Bleach on Your Teak Shower Bench

Bleach can cause wood to crack.

If you want your bench to last as long as possible, avoid getting bleach on it.

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