NeutralSort is a DataTable plugin that puts the table back in it's original sorting state after "unsorting" the table.
Be sure to include NeutralSort.js on your page. NeutralSort can be initialized as following:
<table id="demo-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rendering engine</th>
<th>Browser</th>
<th>Platform(s)</th>
<th>Engine version</th>
<th>CSS grade</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Trident</td>
<td>Internet
Explorer 4.0</td>
<td>Win 95+</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>X</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trident</td>
<td>Internet
Explorer 5.0</td>
<td>Win 95+</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trident</td>
<td>Internet
Explorer 5.5</td>
<td>Win 95+</td>
<td>5.5</td>
<td>A</td>
</tr>
<!-- ... -->
</tbody>
</table>
$('#demo-table').dataTable({
sDom: 'Nlfrtip',
bNeutralSort : true
});