I foster young kittens and let them run around the house freely. Top protect our sofa and beds, I have bought quite a few similar pads, true 100% cotton, in all sizes, from some on-line shop that specializing in items of such, for hospitals and nursing homes. They worked well. I have some that are way over 5 years and still soft to the touch and serve the purpose well. I wash and bleach them constantly to keep the smell off. But they are much more expensive compared to these ! However, when the first "accident" by kitten occurred on this one, I could see a pool of water standing in the middle of the pad, not being absorbed at all! when I went to pick it up, I noticed the liquid moving around like water in a plastic plate ! In fact, after carefully folding it up, a few drops of liquid did run out and wet the sofa ! And this was only one "small" mess ! what a mess ! Cheaper to buy a tarp ! I now put it by the entrance doors on raining days for people to leave their wet shoes on !
Waterproof ? yes, like a plastic sheet !