How to Clean Hardwood Floor
Vinegar is NOT necessarily the best solution!

Disclaimer: This information specifically applies to hardwood flooring finished with polyurethane coating. This is NOT appropriate for the older wax-based finishes!

1. Clean your floor by sweeping or rug. Never use abrasive cleaners such as sharp or rough objects.
 
2. Apply hardwood floor cleaner on a small section of the floor or directly onto a terry cloth wood floor mop. DO NOT wet mop the floor. This may leave puddles of water that can leak down between the boards and cause the finish to expand or lift your wood.

3. Wipe floor with dry mop

What you should avoid
1. Hardwood floor (with polyurethane) should never use wax, or oil-based detergents or vinegar. Vinegar will etch the surface. Waxes and oils leave a sticky residue on the surface of the wood and prevent the polyurethane from shining. When cleaning hardwood floors, you can use any commercially available product.. Vinegar and water or lemon based cleaners, are acidic and will over time pit the polyurethane finish, and ultimately reduce the shine of any wood floor.

2. Never allow any amounts of liquid to puddle on any floor for long periods of time. This will shrink your wood and discolor it.

3. Never use a dirty mop to clean hardwood floors! Any grit caught in the mop will scratch the finish.

4. Never drag heavy furniture across your wood floor without something underneath the feet to prevent scratches and distribute the weight.