<p>We are downsizing and building a townhouse. It will be our first time having hardwood floors (so excited!). Kitchen and 1/2 bath will also be hardwood.</p>
<p>What’s the best way to clean them? Any tips? Anything I should be careful of?</p>
<p>Be sure to have a good strong finish on them. I basically just use a robotic vacuum cleaner on the floors. In the kitchen, be sure to wipe any spills immediately to prevent warping. Have installed our hardwood floors over 20 years ago and had very low maintenance. We do put felt or other protectors on the bottom of furniture (and appliances) to minimize scratching. A little warm water on a paper towel is used if there are any sticky spots on the floor.</p>
<p>We also got a few bottles of Squeaky Clean cleaner that we have used sparingly for stubborn discoloration s. we also have a bottle of 507 polish we got when the floor was installed. We have used a bit of that to touch up spots where it appeared the coating was wearing thin.</p>
<p>Others just use dry or slightly dampened with plain water dust mop. Hardwood floors are very low maintenance, as long as they’re kept DRY.</p>
<p>We have had oak flooring in our varied homes for over 30 years. Our floors have always had a water based finish.By far the best product I’ve found is Bona X Hardwood floor cleaner. Depending on the size of your flooring you can purchase a standard gallon, or a gallon concentrate (which makes 8 gallons). This stuff leaves no residue.</p>
<p>I love Minwax hardwood floor cleaner. Make sure the floor is vacuumed beforehand. I will also (dry) “Swiffer” between cleanings to pick up cat hair. Enjoy!</p>
<p>It depends on what type of finish you apply to your floors. Be sure to investigate what product is used to finish the floors so you can determine what cleaners the manufacturers (of the finish) recommend. I also use Bona cleaner.</p>
<p>Microfiber mop + Bona spray bottle = shiny hardwoods. :)</p>
<p>Bona here too. Enjoy your hardwood floors! I love mine.</p>
<p>“Anything I should be careful of?”</p>
<p>Water spills and pet barf need to be cleaned up relatively promptly on Swedish finish hardwoods. To minimize wear and tear, use a colorful rug by the sink in the kitchen. Hard objects dropped from counter-top height can dent hardwoods. Other than that, hardwoods are nice and low maintenance! Enjoy your new floors.</p>
<p>We have had hardwood floors for over 20 years. We were told to clean them with white vinegar and water by a very high end company. They have stayed in great condition and they don’t get any of that funny build-up of some cleaners. Enjoy! I love having hardwood!</p>
<p>Do be careful about dropping objects as bunsenburner pointed out. We have quite a few dents in our floor from dropping things! Another vote for Bona - it does a great job.</p>
<p>Be aware that what wears out the finish is the accumulation of sand and grit particles. They act as very fine sandpaper and scratch the floor. Since we had our kitchen renovated two months ago with hardwood floors, I’m on my hands and knees every day with a damp paper towel wiping up the sand and dirt. My DH thinks I’m a nut job.</p>
<p>I also bought a Mint robotic sweeper, which I’m very happy with. I figure whatever it picks up, I don’t have to. I’ve been running it around twice a week on each level (upstairs is hardwood also).</p>
<p>Another Bona user here. We have a urethane finish, and Bona does a great job. </p>
<p>My dream is to have a Ladybug steam cleaner for the floors, but the expense has prevented it to this point. If you go with a steamer, it has to be one that is OK to use on hardwoods. Not all steamers are created equally!</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>Is Bona something you buy at a regular store (grocery, Target, whatever) or do you get it somewhere special???</p>
<p>Wal-Mart and Bed,bath&beyond have Bona floor cleaner</p>
<p>Thank you! :)</p>
<p>Home Depot and Lowes carry Bona too.</p>
<p>I buy Bona at Costco.</p>
<p>Piling on to say my wood floor installers also endorse the Bona system. I like the one that sprays the floor with a squeeze of the handle. The cleaning solution fits into the mop and it takes refills. The oversized head and swivel mechanism make it very easy to use and there is no streaking. No comparison to Swiffer.</p>
<p>Hmm…will have to look at Costco - we have almost entirely hardwood in the house. </p>
<p>Some of you say it leaves your wood “clean and shiny” - is the shiny because you have a high gloss finish on them in the first place?? Our floors are original from 1925 and though we have redone them (been about a decade or so) they are not exactly shiny - though I would love them to have a little more shine to them!</p>
<p>So Bona isn’t just a product but a whole system?? What do you have to buy?</p>