What Happens If You Don’t Use a Coaster?

glass of water

A drink without a coaster could cause the table it’s sitting on to be stained, discolored, dented, or scratched. If the drink remains forgotten for a long period of time, this damage will only be worse.

The last thing you want is to destroy someone’s furniture at a birthday party or ruin your dining room set or end tables as you have a glass of wine after work. It’s as simple as using a coaster under your cold drink!

Why Are Coasters Needed?

There’s evidence that coasters are needed when you’re setting down a cold drink. Just take a look at the wooden table pictured below. A glass of ice cold water was left on this party table without a coaster for over 24 hours. The wood was damaged and stained as a result.

Notice how there’s some discoloration and leftover water stains from where the glass had been. The glass also adhered to the surface, which is what caused the paint to chip away.  

The coaster exists to be a literal barrier between your nice furniture and the condensation at the bottom of the drink. So come on now – use a coaster before you put down your drink!

What Are the Best Coasters?

The best coasters are made from cork, ceramic, neoprene, plastic, or pulp board. These materials will absorb the moisture and won’t adhere to the bottom of the glass when you pick it up to take a drink.

While some were graded higher than others, you can’t go wrong as long as you use any coaster under your drink. Stainless steel, glass, bamboo, leather, and copper are all good, stylish options. Just save them for your bottles, mugs, and plastic cups instead of your glasses!

Final Thoughts

When a party host is nagging you about using a coaster, don’t just roll your eyes. It’s part of being a good guest to take the time to grab one before you put down your glass. You should also have coasters for your house and in any room where you may bring a drink, from the kitchen to the living room to the basement.