What is best to clean real hardwood floors?

[srswirl]

Pledge Wood Floor Cleaner

Best stuff I ever used. I have walnut hardwood (hand-scraped look) throughout with what is called a "ceramic" finish. Extremely durable. Nothing penetrates it. I used to use Bona...but I found that, in sunlight, you could see footprints where people had walked (after it was long dry). I then switched to a commercial grade wood floor cleaner that you mixed with water. Same result...footprints showed in sunlight. With pledge, I just get a nice clean floor, no footprints. I damp mop after vacuuming (light moisture) every week with Pledge using a flat, very thick microfiber pad. The floor always looks like the day it was installed.

 

[laundromat]

In Baltimore,Maryland---

I had an old apartment that had pine wood floors,tung and groove. I used coarse,medium and fine sandpaper and did it going WITH the grain of the wood then used a rounded sander for trimming the edges. I used the straight,glossy,clear polyurethane and a wide horse hair brush to apply.I did not use the water base and don't recommend it. I put down four thick coats and let it dry with good ventilation. the drying took almost 12 hours but was beautiful and lasted the 7 years I stayed there.To clean my floor,I would vacuum up all the dust then use my commercial mop and boiling hot water with a wringer attachment on the bucket with MR Clean or dishwashing liquid but only a few drops.I thoroughly wrung the mop and as I mopped the floor,the steam from the mop dried the floor fast and made it shine. I did this twice a week and never had any issues with warping or losing the finish.It looked just as nice after I left as it did when I originally refinished it.I think the thickness of the poly along with the way it sealed the wood had a lot to do with the strength it had acquired

 

[gmmcnair]

Woodwork and Wood Floors....

....I just a damp rag wrung out very well in a mild Murphy's oil soap solution...or a little of my own soap glop in solution. It cleans and is mild. I don't trust a mop to be wrung dry enough.

Like everyone has said, too much of the soap leaves a dirt-catching film.

 

[mayguy]

I use warm water with Murphy's oil soap. A very mild mix. I am on my hands and knees as well, and a dry towel to polish it after I wipe it.

Used Murphy's for 5 years on our floor, and no issues.. My partner did use the steamer in a spot, and can see the gloss was gone.