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.

Outdoor teak table and eucalyptus chair on stone patio

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.

Pretty Outdoor patio with hardwood furniture

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.

Cans of mineral spirits, boiled linseed oil, brush, shirt and scissors

Jump to Tutorial

FAQ – Answering Your Questions

What’s the difference between linseed oil and boiled linseed oil?

Boiled linseed oil has quicker drying times.

How often do you need to oil furniture?

Several times in the season, specifically if the furniture is in direct sun. I’ll probably do this one more time before we store our furniture for winter.

How long does oiling the furniture take?

Oiling eight chairs took me about about two hours. I was able to apply the the oil mixture on three chairs in about 10 minutes. Then I’d wipe with a rag and move onto the next set of chairs.

How long after application can you use the chairs?

Approximately 48 hours.

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:

Lining up chairs in the shade for oiling

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.

How to Oil Outdoor Hardwood Furniture Tutorial

How to Oil Outdoor Hardwood Furniture

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

Prep Time5

Active Time30

Curing time2

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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