Canvas Dropcloth as a couche

"Couche are generally made of linen or other coarse material which the dough will not stick to and are left unwashed so as to let yeast and flour collect in them, aiding the proofing process. A banneton is used for round loaves, called boules, and a couche is typically used for longer loaves such as baguettes." ~ Wikipedia.org

I was in a bread baking class at a very reputable school when the fellow next to me mentioned: "Gee, I don't have any nice linen couche, I just use drop cloths."

Immediately the light bulb went on. I was never going to be able to get that fancy hotel to spring for expensive linen, but I could afford that piece of canvas that was on clearance at that big box hardware store.

So before you can use this piece of linen it must be washed. Even if it is never to be washed again, it is important that all the factory gunk be removed. The trick is to wash it in a washing machine twice. The first time with detergent and the second time without. The key to the second wash is that you are then trying to remove all the chemicals and schtuff from the detergent.

It may be a large and awkward, so if you are a perfectionist, you may trim the drop cloth with scissors and sew the ends to prevent fraying.