Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I want to keep my laminate floor looking beautiful, but I hear conflicting information on how to care for it. Can you clear it up for me? – LaDonna, Spring Branch, Texas

Let’s start with discussing the No. 1 enemy – dirt. If loose dirt, dust or grit isn’t removed regularly, the floor surface can become dull, and grit can leave tiny scratches when people walk over it. An electric sweeper or a padded floor duster works great, but if you use a vacuum cleaner, don’t use one with a beater bar.

Damp mopping every so often is suggested, but too much water can cause the floor to expand, so you want slightly damp, not wet. Go over the floor with a clean, dry clothas soon as possible to be sure no water or water spots remain.

Your best preventative hint? Place doormats at every entryway to keep as much dirt, grit and grime out as possible. And attach floor glides or protectors to the legs of furniture.– Heloise