Have you ever found these paper coasters, loved the design or phrase? Then flipped over the container and see the price, and your eyes popped out of your head. You put them back, but then you add them to your basket anyway because of the awesome phrase or design.
Then, if you are anything like me, you never use them. You think to yourself, I paid a fortune for these ten (if you’re lucky) pieces of cardboard and the first red wine, watermark stain, or dollop of guacamole on them they won’t look so darn cute now will they?! Now that is a waste of money and a good coaster tag-line. As you can tell, I don’t ‘do’ disposable well 😉
All of a sudden it hit me, I could easily make turn disposable into non-disposable, and rid my money-wasting woes. 
All you need is a few minutes of time and waterproof sealer like this one. You of course could use a spray or any sealer you have on hand. I like a water based sealer is no fuss and easy clean up.
Materials needed:
- Water based sealer
- 1.5-2″ all purpose paint brush
- Cardboard coaster
- Optional* Cork sheeting cut to size and glue to the bottom with modge podge, hot glue, or E6000
Paint a thin coat of the sealer on the top side 
Lay on a sheet of parchment to dry. This sealer dries fast and you will be able to flip the coasters over in 15-20 minutes. If you choose to add cork to the bottom of your coasters you will only need to seal the edges and the tops. I did a coat on each side and then an extra coat on the top. Take care to apply an even coat of sealer. 
I ran the brush around the edges the coaster too.
You may want to place the coaster on a small glass to let the edges dry. Let dry for the time stated on the sealer before using.
Finally not a one time use coaster.
Mimosa anyone?
Wouldn’t these make the sweetest gifts?!
Dandelions & Dates 
8 responses to “Turn Disposable Paper Coasters into reusable Coasters – save a tree in the process.”
another fabulous idea Handy Homemaker! You never cease to amaze me!
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I see you did this over a year ago. How are they holding up now?
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They are still holding up well.. I bumped my coffee and it spilled everywhere, and there was a spot on the edge that I must have missed and that absorbed a small amount and stained. I went back over all the edges after that. Coating the edges is an important step. But other than that, they look the same. I just wipe them with a damp cloth to clean occasionally. Thanks for the message 🙂
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Will acrylic primer/dealer do the trick? Thank you so much for the tip. I just typed in how can I make these reusable and here you are, awesome!
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Sorry I am just seeing this now. I have only tried this with Polycrylic as it is a product I have been very happy with protecting the furniture I repurpose. I hope it worked for you.
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hello I am wondering i tried this process and two times once after 2 coats of poly acrylic and once after 3 coasts of poly acrylic I set a coffee mug with hot coffee in it on the coaster it not only stuck but left an impression in the poly anyone else have this happen??? pls email me with advice if anyone see this
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Mine have held up through hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and bubbly spills. In one part of the instructions on this brand of poly it says let dry for 24 hours before normal use but then further down it said wait 72 hours. With that in mind I let mine cure for a full week like I do with any furniture I use this product to protect. Hope this helps. Sorry it’s not working for you.
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I have had issues with bubbling up of the paper, also leaving brush strokes. Any thoughts?
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