Materials & Care

DREIECK DESIGN · Materials & Care

Clear materials.
The right care.

How to clean glass without streaks, remove stubborn deposits and protect delicate finishes. The right method depends not only on the type of glass, but also on which side you are cleaning.

Illustration of clear, satin and coloured glass samples alongside wood and metal
AI-generated material illustration. Colour and transparency depend on lighting, glass thickness and your screen. Use original samples when selecting a finish.
Glass typesEdge colourIdentify the surfaceStreak-free cleaningGrade 0000 steel woolWood & metal

01 · The material

Float glass or Optiwhite?

Float glass

Its characteristic green tint is particularly visible at the polished edges. Our glass edges are chamfered and polished.

More about float glass →

Optiwhite

Optiwhite has a much lower inherent tint and a particularly clear appearance. It does not guarantee colourless edges: a greenish to blue-turquoise tint remains visible and can become more pronounced as panel depth and glass thickness increase.

More about Optiwhite →

Size · Depth · Glass thickness

Why the edge looks darker.

A small glass sample does not show the full colour effect of a large tabletop. When you look through the edge, the light path runs along the panel. The larger and especially the deeper the panel is in that viewing direction, the more noticeable its inherent tint can become. Thicker glass also makes the green and dark appearance of the edge more pronounced.

Float glass: green to almost black.

The edge of a small, thin panel looks lighter. As depth and thickness increase, it appears greener and darker. On large, deep panels, the edge can look almost black, depending on the viewing angle and lighting.

Optiwhite: lighter, but not colourless.

Optiwhite also has an inherent edge tint. It looks much lighter than float glass and may appear greenish to blue-turquoise. Greater panel depth and thickness can make this colour stronger and darker too.

The same glass. A different effect.

Both models use clear Optiwhite: 10 mm glass on the small ROTON, and a much larger 15 mm top on QUADRO. QUADRO's edge can appear a deeper blue-turquoise. Size and thickness change together here; this is not a comparison of thickness alone.

Generated model comparison: ROTON on the left with a small round Optiwhite top and concrete base; QUADRO on the right with a square Optiwhite top and four stainless steel legs
AI-generated illustration based on model references. The specifications below describe the selected model versions; the image is not a scale drawing or a colour reference.

ROTON →

Clear Optiwhite · Ø 28 cm · 10 mm glass
Overall height 48 cm

QUADRO →

Clear Optiwhite · 100 × 100 cm · 15 mm glass
Overall height 40 cm

Our glass thicknesses: 10, 12, 15 and 19 mm.
The thickness used depends on the model and its construction. Not every thickness is available as a standard option for every model.

View the schematic comparison of six glass panels

Top: float glass · Bottom: Optiwhite

Six floating glass panels: float glass above with increasingly dark green edges, Optiwhite below with lighter turquoise edges; small and thin on the left, larger and deeper in the middle, large and thicker on the right
Left to right: small and thin → larger and deeper → large, deep and thicker.
AI-generated illustration of the colour progression, not to scale and without specified thicknesses in millimetres. Not a colour reference. Lighting, background and viewing angle affect the actual appearance.

When choosing your material: Do not judge the glass solely from a small sample. Consider the intended panel dimensions, glass thickness and the direction from which you will see the edge.

02 · Before cleaning

Which side are you looking at?

The top and underside of a tabletop may have different finishes. For other components, identify the actual surface. Check the finish before tackling a stubborn mark.

Finish Top of the tabletop Underside Grade 0000 steel wool?
Clear glass Smooth, uncoated Smooth, uncoated Only on uncoated glass, wet and following the instructions below.
Satin Smooth and glossy Etched and matt Only on the smooth, uncoated side. Never on the matt side.
Color Smooth and glossy Lacquered Only on the smooth, uncoated side. Never on the lacquer.
Velvetcolor (Samtcolor) Satin and matt Lacquered On neither side.

Additional coatings and special versions have their own care requirements. If you are unsure, we can help identify the surface from your model.

03 · Everyday care

Clean glass without streaks.

  1. Remove dust and loose particles first. Do not rub a dry cloth over grit or crumbly residue.
  2. Prepare two clean, lint-free cloths. Use one for cleaning and the second for drying. Avoid cloths with traces of grease or polish.
  3. Clean the smooth surface with a suitable glass cleaner. Work in manageable sections. Do not soak joints, fittings or adjoining materials.
  4. Remove all residue and wipe dry. If streaks remain, use a fresh cloth and remove excess cleaner with a clean, slightly damp cloth.

Less cleaner.
A fresh cloth.

More cleaning product does not necessarily mean a cleaner surface. Too much product or a dirty cloth often leaves a film.

Work on a cool surface. Direct sunlight can make the cleaner dry too quickly.

Read the glass-cleaning guide →

A specific care tip

Stubborn deposits?
Grade 0000 only – always wet.

For stubborn deposits on smooth, uncoated glass, we recommend superfine steel wool, grade 0000. This recommendation concerns the grade, not a particular brand.

On Satin and Color finishes, this applies exclusively to the smooth, uncoated glass side. The method removes deposits; it does not remove scratches.

Generated illustration of a wet, smooth glass surface being gently cleaned with superfine steel wool
AI-generated care illustration featuring the QUADRO glass coffee table →. Always check the packaging for grade 0000.
Never use dry. Never on satin or lacquered surfaces.

Do not use on the matt side of Satin glass, the lacquered side of Color glass, or either side of Velvetcolor (Samtcolor). This tip also excludes coated glass, wood and metal.

  1. Use only clean, rust-free grade 0000 steel wool. Do not use a coarser grade or a metal pan scourer.
  2. Remove loose grit and dust. Thoroughly moisten both the glass and the steel wool with a suitable glass cleaner. Keep them wet throughout.
  3. Test an inconspicuous area first. Use light pressure and controlled movements. Stop immediately if the surface changes unexpectedly.
  4. Carefully remove deposits and metal fibres. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth, then dry with a second cloth.

04 · Delicate surfaces

Care for matt glass and lacquer separately.

The satin side

Clean the matt surface evenly with a soft cloth and a suitable mild cleaner, keeping it damp. Avoid vigorously rubbing just one spot. Remove cleaning residue evenly with a clean, damp cloth.

No steel wool, abrasive pads or blades. Do not mechanically polish the matt texture.

The lacquered side

Gently wipe the underside of Color and Velvetcolor (Samtcolor) with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not soak or scrape it. A glass cleaner suitable for the upper side is not automatically suitable for the lacquer.

No steel wool, abrasive cleaners or solvents. Ask us about stubborn marks before attempting a more intensive treatment.

05 · Other materials

Use a separate cloth for wood and metal.

Matt-lacquered solid wood

Our solid wood surfaces have a matt lacquer finish. Remove dust with a soft cloth, clean marks with a slightly damp cloth and wipe dry straight away. Do not leave liquids standing on the surface.

Do not apply oils or waxes without specific care approval. Advice for untreated wood does not apply to a lacquered surface.

Metal finishes

Clean with a separate soft cloth and remove any remaining moisture. On brushed finishes, wipe in the direction of the grain. For stubborn marks, use only products suitable for the particular metal finish.

Do not apply the steel-wool tip for glass to chrome-plated, polished or brushed metal parts.

Common care questions.

How do I clean the underside of my glass table?

Check the finish first. Clear, uncoated glass can be cleaned like the upper side. Satin glass has a matt underside; Color and Velvetcolor (Samtcolor) have lacquered undersides. Follow the gentle cleaning instructions above for these surfaces – no steel wool. Do not lift large or heavy glass tops on your own for cleaning.

Can I use grade 0000 steel wool on Velvetcolor?

No. The upper side is satin and the underside is lacquered. Both sides are excluded from this cleaning method.

Will this remove scratches?

No. The recommendation concerns deposits on suitable glass. Scratches are damage within the surface and cannot be removed with this care method.

Unsure about your surface?

Tell us the model and finish and, if possible, send a photo of the affected area. We can help you choose the appropriate cleaning method.

Ask a care question →