• Clean wood and laminate floors using a damp mop, not a wet one.floor cleaning #3 image by stassad from Fotolia.com
  
  Wood laminate floors are a homeowner-friendly alternative to hardwood, due to their lower cost and their ease of installation. Wood laminate flooring is also easy to install over existing floors. Some common cleaning techniques can damage laminate floors. Using the correct methods to clean your laminate floor can help it last longer and maintain its good looks for many years to come.
  
  

Regular Sweeping

• It may be tempting to wait until dirt is visible on your laminate floor before sweeping, but don't. Regular sweeping--whether the floor appears to be dirty or not--will help the floor last longer. Grit and dust can abrade and scratch the surface of the floor. Unlike solid wood floors, laminate cannot be refinished. Sweeping laminate floors daily will keep them in good condition longer.
  
  

Vacuuming

• Homeowners who don't wish to sweep, can vacuum their laminate floors instead. Pick up loose dirt and grit using a vacuum cleaner with no beater bar. The beater bar is designed for use on carpets and can make it more difficult to clean smooth surfaces like laminate flooring. Attachments, such as a crevice tool, can be used to pull dirt from between the planks or along the walls and other hard to reach locations.
  
  

Damp Mop

• Dirt and grit can also be removed using a damp mop, which will also take care any spills. Avoid wet mopping laminate floors, however. The excess water can seep between the planks and into the composite wood material that makes up the floor, causing it to swell and expand. This can result in warped or disfigured floorboards. Use a mop that's only wet enough to pick up dirt and dust, and wring it out thoroughly after rinsing. According to the World Floor Covering Association, it's wise to dry floors immediately after mopping.
  
  

Spot Cleaning

• Laminate floors may need occasional spot cleaning to deal with dirt or spills. A commercial cleaning product intended for use on laminate floors, or an ammonia or vinegar-based cleaning product may be used to remove stuck-on dirt, accumulated dust or other grime. Luxury Housing Trends recommends a neutral cleaner and soft cloth for tar, paint, marker stains and similar trouble areas. Avoid abrasive cleaners, soaps or detergents and products that promise to clean and shine simultaneously. These can dull or scratch the surface of a laminate floor.