Maintaining Tribù outdoor garden furniture - Material handbook

Those who choose Tribù outdoor furniture, consciously choose quality. Not for a summer collection, but for pieces that last ten, fifteen, twenty or more years. The Belgian brand builds its collections around materials that stand the test of time: teak that turns silver-grey but retains its strength, aluminum that never rusts, and fabrics that withstand a rain shower.

At feelathome we have been a distributor of Tribù in Belgium for 17 years. We know the collection inside out: from the Mood lounge sofa to the Senja dining chair, from the Elio daybed to the Dunes side table. We also know the questions customers ask when they come home with their first Tribù piece. What do I do when the teak starts to turn grey? How do I clean the aluminum frame? Can I leave the cushions outside when it rains?

Below you will find the answer per material, based on the official Tribù guidelines.

Of all the wooden garden furniture we sell at feelathome, teak is the material that raises the most questions. You will find it in the frames and tabletops of, among others, Illum and Kos. The reason for the questions is simple: teak changes, and that change comes unexpectedly for many people.

Graying is not a defect

Untreated teak turns from warm honey brown to silver-grey. That is not damage, it is the natural behavior of the wood. Wind, moisture and heat make the teak "live": small cracks and superficial splits are normal and often close again when humid. The structure and strength of the wood remain completely intact.

Do you want to slow down the graying process? On a sunny day, put the piece of furniture outside, spray it generously with the garden hose and let it dry in full sun. Then apply a Teak Sealer with UV protection, once per season. For those who like the natural grey, a soft cloth with water and the Tribù Teak Super Cleaner is sufficient.

Cleaning and protecting

For daily cleaning: soft cloth, water, neutral soap. For a thorough cleaning: Tribù Teak Super Cleaner (available at feelathome). Stubborn stains can be removed with fine-grit sandpaper, always in the direction of the wood grain.

Protection with Tribù Teak Protector (available at feelathome) penetrates deep into the wood and protects against stains and green deposits, without blocking the grey patina. If you really want to slow down the greying, also use the Teak Sealer with UV filter.

What you never do: apply oil or varnish. Varnish peels off. Oil penetrates the wood and creates a perfect environment for mold. And during the first rains: teak can lose reddish pigment that ends up on your terrace. 

All things you would rather avoid! 

The maintenance of aluminum garden furniture is easier than that of wood. Aluminum is naturally corrosion-resistant; the extra powder coating at Tribù makes it virtually maintenance-free. That is also the reason why Tribù outdoor furniture can stay outside, even in a wet Belgian autumn.

You clean it with pure water and a mild detergent. Stubborn stains are removed with Aluminum Cleaner and a soft brush. Then apply Teflon Protector: an invisible film that prevents dirt and water stains.

What to avoid: acidic products, strong degreasers, chlorine-containing cleaning agents. These damage the powder coating.

Tribù fabrics are made to stay outside. They are UV-resistant, mold-resistant, and most are water-repellent. But even the best outdoor fabric needs periodic attention.

Brush off dust regularly: mold grows on accumulated dirt and leaves, not on the fabric itself. Dab liquid stains with a dry cloth (never rub), then spray with water and mild soap and rinse thoroughly. Always let air dry.

After a thorough cleaning, apply Textile Protector. This makes the fabric water-repellent and stain-resistant again.

Cushions: two systems, one rule

Tribù uses two types of outdoor cushions. The first has a laminated water-repellent cover with breathable seams: water does not penetrate the filling. The second works the other way around, the filling has an open cell structure and water runs through it quickly.

Both are robust. The rule that applies to both: never store cushions when they are still damp. And never put a cover over wet cushions. Condensation that cannot escape creates exactly the environment that mold needs.

Tribù combines frames with tabletops in different materials. Each requires a specific approach.

Ceramics is the most maintenance-friendly tabletop: extremely resistant to stains, acids, scratches, frost and UV. Water and pH-neutral soap are sufficient. Ceramic Protector applies an invisible protective layer that makes the surface even smoother.

Granite is a hard igneous rock with few pores. Clean with pure water and pH-neutral soap. Granite Cleaner & Protector refreshes the shine and makes it water- and stain-repellent. White veins in the top are not cracks, they are lines caused by water infiltration over the years, inherent to the material.

Lightened concrete requires the most attention. The surface is sensitive to stains: acidic stains (vinegar, fruit juice) and greasy stains must be removed immediately. For daily cleaning: microfiber cloth with pH-neutral soap. Lightened Concrete Conditioner cleans and protects in one step. No scouring pad, no high-pressure cleaner.

Glazed lava stone is almost maintenance-free. Water and pH-neutral soap are sufficient. Ceramic Protector fills the pores and prevents dirt adhesion. Imperfections, crackles and color variations are inherent to the material.

Tribù outdoor rugs are 100% synthetic, UV-resistant and do not absorb water. They are robust, but not for the whole year. Do not let an outdoor rug overwinter on the terrace: frost and snow make the binding yarn brittle. Store it dry and cleaned, rolled up, not folded. Never use a high-pressure cleaner.

Tribù furniture is designed to stay outside all year round. For those who still want to store them: dry, well-ventilated space. No non-breathable plastic covers over teak or iroko, because the wood must be able to breathe. Covers are fine for aluminum and plastic, not recommended for wooden tabletops.

Cushions and rugs go inside: dry, cleaned, and not compressed.

Which material suits your use, your terrace, your maintenance ambition? In the feelathome showroom in Boortmeerbeek, near Mechelen, you can see and feel the collections, and receive advice based on your situation: the location of your terrace, the ratio of sun and shade, your preference for wood or aluminum.

Every Tribù purchase at feelathome is accompanied by the matching maintenance products.

→ Discover the Tribù outdoor collection

→ Plan a visit to the showroom

feelathome is the official distributor of Tribù in Belgium. Showroom in Boortmeerbeek, between Mechelen and Leuven, between Antwerp and Brussels.

Written by the feelathome team, more than 25 years of experience with interior and exterior design advice.