Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Smudged Hardwood Floors

Last Winter we installed new solid hardwood floors. We chose prefinished Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) and it is gorgeous. Both my wife and I prefer to go barefoot from Spring to Fall when in the house, but we are finding that wherever we walk, we tend to smudge the wood surface. Our floor supplier gave us a non wax (we think) cleaning product which we religiously use with a swiffer like mop to clean this floor. We were told to never use water directly on the floor but we could use a damp cloth for spot cleaning. When the floor is freshly cleaned it is truly beautiful, but after a half day or so of barefoot walking, it is smudged all over and looks awful. We assume it is either prespiration or the residue of the cleaning fluid that is causing this. We suspect it is not prespiration as this is a dry climate and neither of us perspires much. In Winter when we wear socks, there is no problem. Is there any safe alternative cleaner we could try?

it's not so much the sweat from your feet, as it is the oils from your skin (yes, even on your feet!) that's making the smudges. walking barefoot is equally bad on carpet. the oily areas attract dirt, thus making the dirty traffic patterns. the only solution is wearing socks. or in your case, cleaning every half day or so!!! your choice! sorry! :o

The dark woods show everything!

Annette is right. It is the oils from your feet attracting dust.