in terms of large bags, maybe something along the lines of this one or a large reusable shopping bag can work, since both laundry and shopping bags are usually meant to be quite durable and carry a lot of weight. if you're keeping it flat on the kitchen counter, maybe you can just protect it with a good kitchen towel then store something on top of it. maybe a nice tray. you can put whatever you want on the tray like a small coffee station, fresh flowers or plants, fruit basket, baked goods, cookbooks, spices, utensil holder, knife block, etc