In this article, we will talk about removing oil stains from teak wood.

Teak is a tropical hardwood tree, that has a wide range of applications in households. Most often it’s used for hardwood floors or furniture, thanks to its water-resistant nature. The oils inside, make this wood ideal for wet environments, and humid conditions. Despite unfavorable circumstances, it remains strong and durable for a long time.

However, caring for teak wood is an important part of owning this hardwood. You should do at least basic maintenance, and regular cleaning, in order to keep the teak wood in good condition. That being said, there are moments, when an unexpected spill happens – This is what we will focus on, in this article.

Oil stain can be particularly hard to clean on teak wood, and that’s why we decided to write this post. Today, we will show the most common ways of removing those stains from teak wood, including home remedies.

Without further ado, let’s get into the proper part of the article.

How to remove oil stains from teak wood?

Removing oil stains from teak wood can be quite tricky, especially if you wait for too long. Each hour will make the whole process more demanding, therefore, the quicker you start, the better. That being said, there are some easy ways to remove oil stains from teak wood.

Below, you will find the most common ones, including well-known home remedies. No one enjoys spending extra money on cleaning agents, thus, you are free to choose the most fitting method.

Detergent solution

For oil stains, that you clean right away detergent solution should be completely enough. Since oil didn’t embed deeply into the wood, you won’t have to use any additional cleaning agents.

1. Remove excess oil – Before you start using the detergent solution, you will have to soak up all the excess oil. This will also prevent the oil from embedding deeply into the wood.
2. Create the cleaning solution – Now you will have to prepare the cleaning solution. For this, we highly recommend using a bowl and mixing mild detergent with warm water.
3. Start the cleaning process – After preparing the cleaning solution, dip a clean cloth into the mixture, and start gently rubbing the dirty area. Be sure to work from the outside, in order to prevent the stain from spreading.
4. Wash out the cleaning solution – You don’t want to leave the cleaning solution on its own for too long. This can lead to permanent damage to teak wood, and discoloring.
5. Dry the area – Airdrying is the safest option, however, be sure to wipe the excess moisture. Keep in mind, that opening windows and doors will speed up the process.

The steps above should be enough to remove the fresh stain, however, if that didn’t work for some reason, you can try out other methods.

Mineral spirits

Using mineral spirits is great for the most stubborn, or deeply embedded oil stains. The only downside is that you have to purchase the cleaning solution which results in additional costs. We always recommend starting with home remedies, to prevent this from happening.

1. Remove excess oil – Before you start using mineral spirits, you will have to soak up all the excess oil. This will also prevent the oil from embedding deeply into the wood.
2. Choose the cleaning solution – Now you will have to prepare the mineral spirits. For this, we highly recommend putting it inside a bowl or spraying it on a cloth.
3. Start the cleaning process – After preparing the cleaning solution, dip a clean cloth into the mixture, and start gently rubbing the dirty area. Be sure to work from the outside, in order to prevent the stain from spreading. Light stains should be removed rather quickly, however, to get rid of the most stubborn one, repeat the process.
4. Wash out the cleaning solution – You don’t want to leave the cleaning solution on its own for too long. This can lead to permanent damage to teak wood, and discoloring. Keep in mind to use some type of detergent, and warm water to completely remove mineral spirits.
5. Dry the area – Airdrying is the safest option, however, be sure to wipe the excess moisture. Keep in mind, that opening windows and doors will speed up the process. You can also polish the wood if it lost its luster.

Oxygenated bleach

Oxygenated bleach is another way to get rid of the oil stains from teak wood. The steps are very similar to any other cleaning solution. Even though you may need to purchase this cleaning agent, the good news is it’s widely available.

1. Remove excess oil – Before you start using mineral spirits, you will have to soak up all the excess oil. This will also prevent the oil from embedding deeply into the wood.
2. Choose the cleaning solution – Now you will have to prepare the cleaning solution. For this, we usually recommend mixing around one scoop of powdered oxygenated bleach with one cup of warm water. Put the solution into the bowl, to apply it more easily.
3. Start the cleaning process – After preparing the cleaning solution, dip a clean cloth into the mixture, and start gently rubbing the dirty area. Be sure to work from the outside, in order to prevent the stain from spreading. Light stains should be removed rather quickly, however, to get rid of the most stubborn one, repeat the process.
4. Wash out the cleaning solution – You don’t want to leave the cleaning solution on its own for too long. This can lead to permanent damage to teak wood, and discoloring. Keep in mind to use some type of detergent, and warm water to completely remove the oxygenated bleach.
5. Dry the area – Airdrying is the safest option, however, be sure to wipe the excess moisture. Keep in mind, that opening windows and doors will speed up the process. You can also polish the wood if it lost its luster.

Other home remedies

Many people also recommend using other home remedies for removing oil stains from teak wood. Since the process is very similar, we will list the other verified methods below. Be sure, to thoroughly clean the area after using either one of those cleaning agents.

• Ammonia – Solution of 1 part household ammonia with 4 parts warm water usually does a great job when removing oil stains.
• Boiled linseed and gum turpentine – To prepare this solution, you will have to boil 4 tablespoons of linseed oil, and mix it with 2 tablespoons of gum turpentine. 
• 2-step teak cleaner – This professional solution is another great method to remove oil stains. We strongly suggest working with this cleaning agent, as described in the instruction.

When working with any cleaning agent, you may also consider wearing gloves, and eye protection. You may often find, that cleaning solutions contain harsh chemicals which can be harmful to you.

How to care for teak wood?

Cleaning stains isn’t as important as preventing them – This is your first line of defense when caring for teak wood. What’s more, you should regularly clean and do basic maintenance, in order to keep the teak wood looking fresh.

Teak wood should be oiled every 3 to 4 months and cleaned regularly. Usually, a simple solution of soap and warm water is enough to freshen up this hardwood. A great thing about teak wood is that it doesn’t have to be sealed, therefore, it doesn’t require too much maintenance.

Many people also recommend using professional cleaners, made only for teak wood. Those will help you keep the color bright and fresh. They also remove any dirt, mildew, or mold without taking any additional steps.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removing oil stains from teak wood can be quite tricky, especially if the stain is old. That being said, there are some ways to get rid of the dirt completely, what’s more, using only homemade cleaning solutions. This not only saves you money and time but also keeps away harsh chemicals.

The most common ways to deal with teak oil stains are mineral spirits, oxygenated bleach, detergent solution, ammonia, or professional cleaners. Using either one of those methods should give you satisfactory results. Keep in mind to take basic maintenance steps, to keep teak wood looking fresh.

We hope, that after reading this article, you won’t have any problems with oil stains on teakwood.