To care for reclaimed wood and recycled glass homeware, wipe the glass with a soft damp cloth and dry it straight away, dust the wood and keep it dry, and never soak the piece, put it in the dishwasher, or place it near direct heat. Treat it gently and it will last for years.
Every Molten Root piece pairs hand-blown recycled glass with reclaimed Balinese gamal wood, so you are caring for two natural materials at once. Both are forgiving, and the routine takes minutes: a little regular attention keeps the glass clear and the timber rich.
How do you clean recycled glass on reclaimed wood?
Clean the glass with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with warm water, then dry it immediately to avoid water marks. For fingerprints or smears, add a drop of mild washing-up liquid to the water. Keep moisture away from the wood and never submerge the piece, because the timber and the join are not designed to be soaked.
Because the glass is hand-blown and fused onto the wood, the two materials behave differently and need slightly different handling.
Cleaning the glass
- Use warm water and a soft microfibre or cotton cloth for everyday dust and fingerprints.
- For a clearer shine, add a single drop of mild washing-up liquid, then buff dry with a clean cloth.
- Reach into the curves of a bowl or vase with a soft sponge rather than anything abrasive.
- Dry the glass fully so no droplets sit against the wood or settle in the join.
Cleaning and protecting the wood
- Dust regularly with a dry or barely-damp soft cloth, following the grain.
- Wipe spills immediately so liquid does not soak in or sit against the timber.
- If the gamal wood ever looks dry or dull, work a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil or a natural beeswax wood balm into it with a soft cloth, leave it to absorb, then buff off the excess.
- Reclaimed wood has natural grain, knots and tonal variation. These are part of its character, not flaws to polish out.
How do you keep reclaimed wood from drying out or cracking?
Keep reclaimed wood out of direct sunlight, away from radiators and heat sources, and out of damp rooms with big humidity swings. Wood is a living material that expands and contracts with its environment, so stable room conditions and an occasional light oiling are all it takes to keep gamal wood from drying, fading or cracking.
A few simple habits make the difference:
- Mind the light. Prolonged direct sun can bleach and dry the timber. A spot with bright but indirect light is ideal.
- Mind the heat. Keep pieces off windowsills above radiators and away from wood burners, ovens and underfloor heating hotspots.
- Mind the moisture. Bathrooms and conservatories with swinging humidity are the hardest environments for natural wood. If you display a piece there, check on it more often.
- Re-oil occasionally. A thin coat of mineral oil or beeswax balm once or twice a year revives the colour and helps the wood resist drying.
What should you avoid with recycled glass and reclaimed wood?
Avoid soaking, the dishwasher, harsh chemicals and direct heat: these are the four things most likely to damage a glass-on-wood piece. Skip bleach, ammonia, white spirit and abrasive scourers, never leave the piece sitting in water, and do not expose it to sudden temperature changes that can stress the glass or warp the timber.
| Avoid this | Why it harms the piece | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Soaking or submerging | Water swells the wood and can weaken the join | Wipe clean and dry straight away |
| Dishwasher | Heat, jets and detergent damage both wood and finish | Hand clean only |
| Bleach, ammonia, solvents | Strip the wood and can cloud the glass | Mild washing-up liquid and warm water |
| Abrasive scourers or scouring powder | Scratch the glass and scuff the timber | Soft cloth or sponge |
| Direct heat or hot liquids | Sudden temperature change can crack glass and dry wood | Use coasters and keep away from heat sources |
| Standing water inside vases | Lingering moisture marks the wood and breeds residue | Empty, rinse lightly and dry after use |
Are Molten Root pieces meant for food or just decoration?
Molten Root pieces are designed as decorative homeware rather than everyday tableware. Treat bowls, vases and centrepieces as statement objects: beautiful for displaying fruit, dry botanicals or stems in water, but not for serving hot or oily food or for daily washing-up. That keeps both the glass and the reclaimed wood in their best condition.
If you do use a piece to hold cut flowers, line it or use the glass section only, empty the water within a day or two, and dry it thoroughly so no moisture lingers against the timber. For styling ideas across the range, our guides on styling molten glass bowls and vases and how to style a recycled glass vase are a good place to start.
How long will a glass-on-wood piece last?
With gentle care, a recycled glass and reclaimed wood piece will last for years, often growing more characterful as the timber settles. Each one is made by hand and built to be kept rather than replaced, so longevity is part of the point. Occasional cleaning and a yearly oiling are usually all the upkeep it needs.
Reclaimed gamal wood already has years of life behind it, so it arrives stable and seasoned. The recycled glass, fused on by hand, is durable in normal use. Display your piece thoughtfully and clean it kindly, and it will hold its quiet, gallery-minimal presence for the long term. Keeping a piece like this also means one less call on virgin materials, which is the spirit behind sustainable homeware at Molten Root.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use glass cleaner on the glass section?
A drop of mild washing-up liquid in warm water is gentler and works just as well. If you prefer a glass cleaner, spray it onto the cloth rather than the piece, keep it well away from the wood, and buff dry immediately so nothing runs into the join.
What oil should I use on the gamal wood?
A food-safe mineral oil or a natural beeswax wood balm is ideal. Avoid vegetable or olive oils, which can turn rancid over time. Apply a thin coat with a soft cloth, let it soak in, then buff off the excess for a soft, natural sheen.
What if my piece gets a water mark on the wood?
Most light marks fade as the wood dries and is re-oiled. Dry the area fully, leave it a day, then work in a little mineral oil or beeswax balm with a soft cloth. Because reclaimed wood is naturally varied, small marks usually blend into the grain.
Is every piece really different?
Yes. Each Molten Root piece is one of a kind, so colour, shape and size vary from item to item. The hand-blown glass and reclaimed timber mean no two are identical, which is why a little care keeps your particular piece looking its best. Explore the full molten glass on wood collection, browse our decorative bowls, or read more about what gamal wood is and why it suits this craft so well.
