At the end of October, the terrace empties. One question remains: what to do with the lounge set, the table and the daybeds until spring? On the shores of the Bay, winter brings rain, wind and a dampness that never quite leaves the gardens. The answer depends on the material, and on what the product page says.
Teak can stay outside
Solid teak is saturated with a natural oil, oleoresin, which makes it rot-resistant: it takes rain, swings in temperature and sea spray. A piece marked “Indoor & outdoor” can therefore spend the winter on the terrace. It will turn a little greyer, and fine surface cracks may appear: they are the sign of a solid wood that breathes, not of a weakness.
Do bring in, however, anything the product page marks “Indoor only”, and any piece whose intended use you do not know.
Before covering
- Brush off sand and leaves, especially between the slats and in the weaves.
- Wash with soapy water and a soft brush, then rinse with clean water. Never use a pressure washer, which tears away the soft fibres of the wood.
- Let it dry completely, over at least one dry day.
- Cover with a breathable cover.
Why breathable. A waterproof plastic sheet traps moisture against the wood and encourages mould on the surface. A breathable cover lets the air circulate, and protects against leaves, pine needles and dirt. If you do not have one, bare furniture is better than furniture sealed in.
And the wind. Group the pieces in the shelter of a wall, and tie the covers down so they do not billow like a sail.
Cushions come inside
Sunproof olefin fabrics resist water and UV, but a cushion should not sit for weeks in the rain. Take off the covers and wash them at 30 °C, or by hand with Marseille soap, without a tumble dryer. Store covers and fillings once thoroughly dry, in a ventilated room, flat or upright, never squeezed into a plastic bag.
That is the advantage of a lounge set without cushions such as Satriya, made entirely of reclaimed teak slats: there is nothing to bring in, only to wash and cover. The woven olefin straps on a lounge set such as Puri stay outside with the frame: a rinse is enough before covering.
In spring
Take off the cover, rinse with fresh water, and let it dry in the sun. If you want to keep the golden tone, this is the moment to feed the wood with a teak oil (see weathered or oiled). If not, the silver-grey of winter will do very nicely.
Come to the showroom in La Teste-de-Buch to see how the teak on our display pieces has come through the seasons.