Versatile, stylish, and functional, laminate flooring is one of the best options for busy families. However, while extremely durable, laminate does require some care and maintenance to keep it in great shape!
Daily care and maintenance
First, consider preventative maintenance. While laminate is durable and resilient, it's not completely indestructible, so you may want to keep pets' nails trimmed and place entry mats throughout your home.
When caring for your flooring, sweep, vacuum, and dry mop. As with hardwood flooring, laminate is a wood-based product and, unless other specified by your manufacturer, is not completely waterproof. You don't want to expose your flooring to moisture, so you should avoid using a wet mop. Only use manufacturer-approved cleaning products, too!
Dealing with spills and stains
Wipe away any liquid messes with a clean cloth as soon as you see them occur. While some newer laminate flooring products include waterproof finishes, most do not. Therefore, it's essential to treat these spills right away. For more stubborn messes, see your manufacturer's care guidelines. Laminate care will often vary by material and manufacturer; for instance, Shaw flooring includes wood, so it will require a wood-safe cleaning product.
