1. Clean gently
Wet the timber, apply cleaner and scrub lightly across the grain with a soft brush. Scrubbing hard along the grain erodes the soft summer wood and leaves a ridged surface.
2. Neutralise and dry
If you used a two-part cleaner, apply the brightener to neutralise the acid, rinse thoroughly and let the wood dry for at least 24 hours before finishing.
3. Oil or seal
Oil gives a warm, easily refreshed finish but needs redoing every few months. A sealer lasts longer but is harder to touch up. Apply thin coats and wipe off any excess before it goes tacky.
4. Decide on leaving it bare
Untreated teak weathers to a silver grey and is perfectly sound. Rinsing with salt water and an occasional gentle wash is the lowest-maintenance option of all.