What Oil Is Best for Outdoor Furniture?

A purpose made hardwood or teak care oil is the right choice for most outdoor furniture in the UK, because these blends include water repellents, pigments that slow fading and fungicides that resist the mould our damp climate encourages. Plain oils lack those additives and will not last a winter. This guide compares teak care oil, traditional teak oil, Danish oil, tung oil, linseed and decking oil, explaining why linseed in particular is a poor outdoor choice. It then matches oils to timbers including teak, acacia, eucalyptus, balau and treated softwood, and explains why synthetic rattan, aluminium and plastic should never be oiled. Practical sections cover cleaning and restoring weathered wood, why thin coats and wiping off excess matter, how to treat end grain, the water test for judging when to reapply, winter storage and the fire risk from oil soaked cloths....