Drop Cloths can help you ensure that paint doesn’t splatter all over your room. The difference between drop cloths and plastic, is that Drop cloths are absorbent, skid resistant, and leak proof. According to Murphy’s law, paint will fall on the places that are uncovered no matter how small, and it isn’t until you start painting that you realize how true this is!
Image Credit:kimberly hurst

Canvas drop cloths are the best for professionals. They are tough, and can be reused over an over. They have an excellent grip on the surface, and are completely non-permeable. It’s also the most expensive.

For a one time paint job however, paper drop cloth is easily the best choice. They can be used to cover the floor and the furniture, and are cheap as well. However, they it does absorb the paint. This is good and bad. It’s bad because there is a chance that whatever you’re covering will get stained. It’s good because it won’t wet your feet when you walk over the spills.

Plastic drop cloths are like paper drop cloths, but don’t absorb the paint. The advantages and disadvantages are reversed here. Cleaning up afterwards can be a mess since the paint is still on the plastic, but it protects the underlying surface a little more.

Finally, the paper/poly drop cloth tries to use the advantages of each. The paper ensures that the paint is absorbed a bit, and the plastic ensures that the underlying surface doesn’t get stained. However, it is understandably more expensive