Let the Flooring Get Acclimated

• When your laminate flooring materials are delivered, give them at least two days to get acclimated to the temperature and humidity in your home. Place the unopened boxes in the room where the flooring will be installed so they rest in a horizontal position and let them sit for 48 hours prior to installation. Allowing the laminate planks to become accustomed to the climate inside your home reduces the risk of the flooring bucking or shifting once installation is complete.
  
  

Avoid Installing Over Carpeting

• Avoid installing your laminate flooring on top of carpeting unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically state that such an installation is possible. Even then, in most cases, the flooring can only be installed over certain types of carpeting, so verify that the carpet in your home is acceptable. Even if your carpeting meets the requirements, you may be better off removing the carpeting prior to installing the laminate planks. Old carpeting may contain dirt and moisture that can affect the stability of your flooring once it is installed. In addition, be sure that the subfloor is clean and dry before installing the laminate planks.
  
  

Use a Vapor Barrier on Concrete

• When installing laminate flooring over concrete, use a vapor barrier to protect the floor from possible moisture problems. Vapor barriers are typically made from plastic or foil material and are placed over subfloors to help resist moisture that might rise up to the surface and warp the planks. In addition to a vapor barrier, place moisture resistant tape over the seams of the laminate planks to further protect the floor.
  
  

Mix Planks from Different Boxes

• To create the best look for your laminate floor, do not install all the planks from one box next to one another. Instead, mix planks from several boxes as you lay the floor so there is variation in the sections of flooring. Most notably, there will be differences in the width of the joints between the tiles on each plank. Mixing thick joints with thinner ones helps create a more natural look for the floor that most homeowners prefer.
  
  

Clean with a Dry Mop

• Once your laminate floor is installed, proper maintenance is necessary to preserve its appearance. A wet mop should never be used on a laminate floor. Instead, use a dry mop to remove dirt and debris from the laminate surface and buff the shine back into the floor. Dry mops made from a microfiber material are especially effective for cleaning laminate. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and debris from the flooring. Laminate floor sprays are available to remove stubborn debris from your floor. When cleaning with this type of spray, use a dry towel or rag to wipe up all of the spray so no moisture sits on the laminate surface.