Cleaning Interior Teak

Enjoyed the exterior teak refinishing poll. Also this would be a great time to do something I've been wanting to do for many months - Thank Hayden for producing such a valuable site - A wealth of info that I'm sure required/s a great deal of time. Thanks Captain.

Back to the topic - The teak refinishing poll got me thinking about interior teak. I am interested in what IP owners use for cleaning the abundant interior teak below deck (shelving, trim, doors, etc). I've searched for this topic with no success; however, if it is posted elsewhere please provide a link and my apologies.

I have no need for refinishing any of the teak below deck, just interested in what IP owners seem to think works the best on cleaning the teak/spiffing up down below without producing any harmful build-up on the teak.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Hugh

Hugh:
Thanks for the kind words on the site, it is a massive project....

As for cleaning teak below decks, we use a mixture of 25% vinegar and 75% water in a spay bottle. This cuts the salt and cleans as well. If you have mildew, we use another bottle of 25% bleach and 75% water and lightly wipe it with that.

Hayden

Thanks Hayden. That is all I have used for years (vinegar & water solution). I've seen others using different teak oil products as well. I like keeping things simple -- In your opinion, is there any significant advantage to following-up with something like Starbrite teak oil?

I've never seen a need to clean the teak other than to use Scott's Liquid Gold twice a season. Keeps it looking very good. Extra attention is needed in areas exposed to the most sunlight as this dries it out.

Other than wiping down with a damp cloth or sponge, we periodically apply teak oil when we notice it starting to look a little dry.

I haven't found much need to clean the flst parts of the interior teak, and I generally spot clean using a very light dilute soap & water mix with some elbow grease. After 22 years it does have a few scuffs but Liquid Gold seems to cure them. We give it the LG treatment every7 spring; it was the original factory applied finish.

I do notice some darkening around the edges of the drawers & pulls in the Nav Station area and the port side post by the Nav tableprobably do to (my) dirty hands and possibly to the fact that it is all end grain. Thanks for the vinegar/water tip; I'll try it this week.

Jim Campbell
IP 32 #1