People love to soak up the coasters. They are some of the most functional home accessories you can buy. Acting as a shield, a barrier against stains, they absorb moisture from a sweaty glass and retain it within themselves, preventing water damage from spreading to your possessions. However, the problem is who protects the coasters from those stains? Can you buy a permanent set of absorbent coasters or are you relegated to the fleeting functionality of less sophisticated disposable models?

First, a quick overview of the disposable coasters; These consist of coasters made of paper, cork, sponge, and other inexpensive materials. Its purpose is to be cheap and effective, once or twice, and then to be discarded. This is the most common option for a bar or restaurant, because they are easy to replace and buy in bulk. You can even print them with a particular logo or graphic.

The problem with these coasters is that they get soggy and unsightly pretty quickly. They are also obviously cheap and do not have much decorative flair. In a bar, where everything is disposable and made to order, this works, but in a home, which is supposed to be your personalized setting, it can be a bit embarrassing.

The alternative to these temporary accessories is the new absorbent sandstone and slate coasters that are available. These coasters are made from natural stone materials, which have been around since the earth was formed. The natural properties of these materials allow them to absorb moisture from a liquid spill or drip, drawing the water into your pores and keeping it inside the stone. While the water is trapped in the stone, air can and still does, and this causes the liquid to evaporate.

These stone coasters are great, because theoretically they can last forever. Water gets into the coaster, but it will always evaporate, without causing much damage to the part.

The problem is that stone is just a natural material and can sometimes stain. When a colored liquid, such as juice or sauce, falls on the surface of the sandstone, suddenly that absorbent property is a disadvantage, as it will allow the stain to penetrate beyond the surface of the stone and discolor it from the inside. .

If a coloring agent gets on your coasters, there are certain things you can do. Soaking the stone in warm water will often allow it to draw out the coloring agent. You can also use heat to try and melt the agent. These methods will be the most effective by far; if done immediately after the stain occurs.

Another absorbent alternative is to buy slate coasters. Slate is another natural stone and has absorbent properties, however slate is less absorbent than sandstone, cork, paper, or anything else. When a wet glass is placed on a slate coaster, drops of water will fall on the surface and stay there, slowly seeping into the stone. It won’t be immediate, but it will have enough suction to prevent water from spilling down the side of the roller coaster onto your furniture.

The fact that they are less absorbent means that they are also resistant to stains and can survive staining agents much better and for a much longer period of time than most of their counterparts.

Absorbent coasters are some of the most useful and functional accessories available for your home. They can protect your possessions, while remaining stylish, stylish, and customizable. However, they have several drawbacks, the most notable of which is their ability to stain with certain liquid agents. This can make some absorbent coasters more permanent than others. In the end, you will have to balance functionality with durability, to find the perfect set for your situation.