People love absorbent coasters. They are some of the most functional home accessories you can buy. They act as protection, a barrier against stains, they absorb moisture from the sweating glass and keep it inside, preventing water damage from spreading to your property. The problem is, however, who protects the coasters from those stains? Can you buy a permanent set of absorbent coasters or are you stuck with the transient functions of less sophisticated disposable models.
First, a quick overview of disposable coasters; these consist of coasters made of paper, cork, sponge and other inexpensive materials. They are meant to be cheap and effective once or twice and then tossed. This is the most common choice for a bar or restaurant because they are easy to change and buy in bulk. You can even have them printed with a specific logo or graphic.
The problem with these coasters is that they get dirty and boring quite quickly. They are also decidedly cheap and don’t have a lot of decorative flair. In a bar where everything is disposable and custom, this works, but at home, which is supposed to be your custom environment, it can be a little embarrassing.
An alternative to these temporary accessories are the new absorbent sandstone and slate pads available. These coasters are made from natural stone materials that have been around since the earth was formed. The natural properties of these materials allow them to absorb moisture from splashes or drips, take the water into their pores and hold it inside the stone. When the water is trapped in the rock, air can and continues to reach it, and this causes the liquid to evaporate.
These rock coasters are great because they can theoretically last forever. Water gets into the glass tray, but it always evaporates without causing much damage.
The problem is that stone is only a natural material, and sometimes it can stain. When a colored liquid, such as juice or sauce, falls on the surface of the sandstone, the absorbent property is suddenly responsible, allowing the stain to soak past the surface of the stone and change its color from within.
If dye gets on your coasters, there are certain things you can do. By soaking the stone in warm water, you can often remove the dye. You can also try to melt the substance using heat. These methods are by far the most effective; if they are done immediately after the stain appears.
Another absorbent option is to buy slate substrates. Slate is another natural stone and has absorbent properties, but slate is less absorbent than sandstone, cork, paper, or just about anything else out there. When wet glass is placed on a slate substrate, water droplets fall to the surface and remain there, slowly seeping into the stone. It doesn’t come right away, but it has enough suction to keep water from splashing over the sides of the coaster onto your furniture.
The fact that they are less absorbent means they also resist stains and hold up to dyes much better and for much longer than most of their counterparts.
Absorbent coasters are the most useful and functional accessories available for your home. They can protect your assets while being stylish, stylish and customizable. However, they have several disadvantages, the most significant of which is their ability to stain with certain liquid substances. This can make some absorbent coasters more permanent than others. In the end, you have to balance functionality and durability to find the perfect set for your situation.
