What kind of drop cloth is best for painting?

What kind of drop cloth is best for painting depends on surface and job, but generally canvas drop cloths are best for floors and plastic drop cloths are best for furniture. For floor protection during interior painting, heavyweight cotton canvas drop cloths, 8 to 12 ounce, are best because they absorb paint drips, stay in place without slipping, are non-slip, reusable, washable, and protect hardwood, tile, and carpet from drips and spills, with 10 ounce canvas being most popular among professional painters for durability. For best leak-proof protection, butyl-backed or rubber-backed canvas drop cloths are best, as they have absorbent canvas top and waterproof backing that prevents paint bleed-through. For covering furniture, cabinets, and large items quickly, plastic drop cloths or poly sheeting are best because they are inexpensive, lightweight, waterproof, and disposable, but they are slippery and paint stays wet on them, so not good for floors. For budget large area coverage, rosin paper or builder's paper is good for hard floors. So for floors, canvas is best kind, for furniture, plastic is best kind, and for ultimate protection, rubber-backed canvas is best kind, with size 9x12 feet being most versatile.