Daily care & maintenance
Laminate is not indestructible, and it can dull when unattended dirt gets ground into tiles or planks by foot traffic and acts as an abrasive on its surface. This can be avoided by sweeping, dust mopping, or vacuuming regularly to remove loose dirt and grit. You can use a broom or a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar.
You might also consider incorporating some preventative maintenance into your routine. Invest in a few doormats and place them strategically throughout your home. Encourage visitors to use them to keep dirt off of your new flooring.
Dealing with spills
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 and will behave similarly to hardwood when exposed to moisture for a prolonged period of time. 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.
