How to Keep Your Coaster or Napkin from Sticking to Your Glass

Winter, summer, or spring, there are very few moments when I don't have a cold drink nearby. And in the summer, rarer still are the moments when having a cold drink nearby doesn't lead to a coaster sticking to my glass and subsequently flinging itself to the floor. Condensation is a cruel mistress at the best of times, but for those who are trying to stay hydrated while also keeping rings off their furniture, it can be a particularly fickle sipping companion.

If a sticky coaster situation has you about ready to chuck your glass, then we have good news. There might not be a foolproof way to beat the coaster-sticking phenomenon, but there are ways to minimize the chance that your glass will get suctioned to its resting place. To help you out with the eternal sticky coaster problem, we've put together a guide applicable to any situation, whether that's using a napkin at a bar or restaurant, or trying to pick the best coasters from your home. So if you're looking for a way to undercut the coaster chaos in your life, read on.

Why do coasters and napkins stick to our cups in the first place?

Before we get into talking about how to prevent coasters from sticking, we first should try to understand why they stick in the first place. Essentially, it's the same force that causes a stack of not-entirely-dry glasses to get stuck together: moist, smooth surfaces stacked on top of other smooth surfaces can create a vacuum seal that causes the coaster to get picked up with the cup. Once the cup is lifted, some condensation is able to trickle down to the coaster and break the seal, which is why your coaster hurls itself to the floor at inconvenient times if you don't prevent the process. This is also why the age-old trick of sprinkling salt on napkins or other coaster-like surfaces works: the salt prevents the glass and coaster from making a moistened vacuum, which means it never sticks in the first place.

But salt isn't the only way to break a coaster's seal. Besides, most folks would probably rather avoid sprinkling salt all over their furniture. So let's take a look at some non-seasoning related ways to solve the issue at hand.

Are there any materials that are less prone to sticking?

One way to cut down on coaster clinginess in your home is to change up the type of coasters or glasses you use, if not both. As mentioned above, smooth surfaces are the most likely to lead to clinging, so coasters with some amount of texture work nicely. Certain absorbent coasters, like stone-based or knitted ones, can also help greatly in this endeavor.