Cleaning real hardwood floors

[Anonymous]

What do you use to clean your real ( not pretreated wood or laminant) floors? These are oak floors ( 1/2 original and 1/2 newly installed but all stained and match).
I have heard to use water only ( does not clean them very well) and tried a wood floor cleaner that, also, did not seem to clean them well, either.
Someone said water with a splash of vinegar? What about a steam mop? ( Like a Bissel one)

[Anonymous]

Every time someone posts this question, I always say the same thing.

Bona hardwood floor cleaner with the mop it comes with (you can buy it on Amazon or at Strosnider's).

We had our original oak flooring in our 1930s colonial refinished when we moved in 15 years ago. Tried a few things and didn't like the finish (too dull) or how it felt on my feet (slightly sticky). The refinishing company recommended Bona. Used it twice a week or so on all the floors in the house since. Had a contractor in to do our bathroom a couple years ago that we became friendly with, and I told him I was considering refinishing the floors again since it had been 15 years. He looked around and said, unless you want it to shine like a mirror, these floors still look fantastic to me, I wouldn't touch 'em.

The stuff works. Clean finish. Looks shiny. Never notice a weird finish when I go barefoot, slippers or socks.

[Anonymous]

Bona lover here too. 1820s floors. Dinged up but clean.

[Anonymous]

+1 on Bona. We had the floors refinished before moving in. When the work was done, the company owner came to inspect and brought a bottle of it with him with the direction to never put anything else in his floors

[Anonymous]

I second the Bona recommendation. We too have a 1930s house. The only issue I've had is not with the Bona cleaner, but rather with the delivery mechanism on the wand thing so I've had to replace that. When it goes again I'll probably just get a non-Bona brand wand. I bought the gallon container and a also a separate spray bottle so I can dilute it myself.

We get compliments on our floor all the time. We also don't have any animals nor do we allow shoes in the house (cue the DCUM insults) so our cleaning needs aren't as great as others' might be.

FWIW, the hardwood installer (been doing it 30+ years) said to never use water. Ever. And if water spilled on the floor, wipe it up pronto.

[Anonymous]

On* not in

[Anonymous]

Our floors are in pretty bad shape and I think only refinishing can help. Cleaning with Bona does little to nothing to make them *look* better, but after a cleaning (with a microfiber mop), the floor feels smooth to the touch with no residue at all.

[Anonymous]

I have been thinking about trying Bona but have a question. I currently use wet Swiffer pads and I go through about 1 a room when I clean my floors. I have dogs so the floors are pretty dirty. Since the Bona mop pads (I think) are washable but not disposable, would I just be pushing a filthy mop around the house after the first room? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[Anonymous]

I vacuum frequently with our Miele and spot clean with microfiber and water. Our hardwood floors don't seem to get really dirty, even with 2 young children and a dog.

We have original wood floors that were recently refinished, before we bought the house a couple years ago. I imagine we'll refinish them again in the future, the kids have scratched them with toys, but they're still in decent condition.