Teak decks have many advantages: they feel nice underfoot, have good non-slip properties and enhance the look of a boat. But keeping them clean, mould-, mildew- and slime-free can be a
major job.

There are many touted remedies. Some people use a stiff brush and seawater to scrub them down – but this isn’t recommended, according to experts. They say that this raises the grain and wears away the teak, which can expose screw heads and lead to early failure and replacement of the teak. Others recommend pressure-washing the teak – but again, this can cause major damage to the wood and should be avoided.

You can read more on how to preserve your decks in ‘The Truth About Teak Decks‘

Chandlers’ shelves groan under the weight of teak cleaners, brighteners and treatments. To see how they perform, we collected together a range of products, from one-stage cleaners to two-stage cleaners and brighteners and biocidal treatments, and had a go at the teak infill panels in the cockpit of a Sigma 38 moored on the River Itchen. After a winter’s exposure and near a scrap metal yard, this teak was green and slippery, with slimy mould and lots of dirt turning it a green-grey – all in all, a good test for the products. We used each one on two planks, applying it according to the instructions, before rinsing off with fresh water. Once dry, we could examine the results…

Teak cleaners on test