How to Oil Outdoor Furniture

Last week, I shared the beautiful Danish style Eucalyptus chairs and reclaimed Teak table we added to our oversized outdoor patio. I decided it would be a good idea to oil our outdoor furniture.

There can be conflicting information online about outdoor furniture and methods for sealing it. We have a beautiful teak set over by our pool, which I didn’t seal. It’s gone a beautiful silvery color but I keep thinking I should clean it and oil it to prolong it’s life. See more about our teak set here.

The main reason I decided to oil the chairs was due to the recommendation from the chair manufacturer. The chairs came with an extensive care sheet.

Why Should You Oil Your Outdoor Furniture?

Oiling, or sealing, your outdoor furniture will prolong the life of the furniture. It prevents mold and rot and will enable you to have years and years with your beloved tables, chairs, or chaises.

Outdoor Interiors recommended using Linseed Oil, so that’s what I decided to use and it was a relatively easy process.

What is Linseed Oil?

• Boiled linseed oil is classic wood finish and natural protectant
• It is made from pressed flaxseed
• Boiled linseed oil has quicker drying properties
• Boiled linseed oil penetrates the wood to condition while also sealing the wood to protect from natural elements.

I used boiled linseed oil because it dries quicker.

What You Need Oil Your Furniture

• Boiled Linseed Oil
• Mineral Spirits
• Glass Jar that seals
• Paint Brush
• Rags (I use old t-shirts my kids have outgrown)
• Craft Paper Roll – I put on surface under furniture

You’ll also need a shady spot and make sure you don’t do this in extreme heat. The full tutorial for oiling furniture is at the bottom of this post. I would also recommend watching the weather forecast and make sure you have a “no rain” forecast to make sure the oil has a chance to penetrate and protect the wood after you apply it.

FAQ – Answering Your Questions

Before and After

Our chairs looked gorgeous when we unwrapped them but they only had a light sprayed on coating from the factory and it is was recommended to apply oil to condition and protect them.

Here’s “before” photo:

The oil went on quite easily because I mixed in mineral spirits. It went on smoothly and the wood drank up the oil. It was so dry. I made sure to do this in the shade and you can see them all lined up:

The wood looked so rich and hydrated after application. See the after:

About a week after I oiled the chairs we had torrential rain and I’m delighted to share the linseed oil protected the chairs. Look how the water just beads up on the chairs:

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Are you interested in investing in some gorgeous outdoor furniture for your own yard?

Here’s a selection of some I love.

• Danish style Eucalyptus Chairs (set of 4)
• Reclaimed 98″ Teak Table
• Farmhouse Teak Table
• Outdoor Teak Sofa
• Teak Console Table
• Teak Nesting Table
• Round Teak Dining Table

How to Oil Outdoor Hardwood Furniture Tutorial

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How to Oil Outdoor Hardwood Furniture

Protect Eucalyptus, Teak and other hardwood furniture from outdoor elements while also hydrating the wood.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Active Time30 minutes mins

Curing time2 days d

Keyword: sealing wood

Materials

• Linseed Oil Boiled
• Mineral Spirits
• Brush
• Jar that seals
• Rags
• Paper to put under furniture

Instructions

• Step 1 – Make sure your furniture is clean and dirt free. If there is dirt you will need to clean the furniture prior to oiling.
• Step 2 – Create a mixture of Boiled Linseed Oil (1 Part) and Mineral Spirits (2 parts) in a sealable jar. The mix allows for an easier application of the oil and quicker drying time.
  
• Step 3 – Apply oil mixture with a brush or rag. Be sure to apply to the entire surface.
  
• Step 4 – After 5-10 minutes use a clean rag to remove excess oil.
  
• Step 5 – Allow for chairs to cure for 48 hours before using.

Notes

Some more tips:

• Be sure to oil furniture in the shade and not when it’s too hot outside
• Make sure you check the weather forecast and do this when you’ll have a few dry days. So the oil can fully cure before getting wet.
• It’s a good idea to reapply 2-3 times during the season for full protection, especially if in direct sunlight.
• Always make sure to use caution when using oils as they can can spontaneously combust. Check manufacturer’s information on disposal of oil soaked materials.

Let’s Stay in Touch

Did you try this tutorial? If so, let me know! If you want to save this post for later reference pin here:

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