Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - best way to clean my hardwood floors?

i had my floors redone (and yes, the poly bubbled) a week or so ago and we're moved in now. what's the best way to clean hardwood floors that were sealed with water-based poly? i will be using a swiffer / broom for light stuff but what about when the floors really need to be cleaned?

thanks in advance.

:) As gentle as I can be...

Here's a previous thread that should help you

http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=262203&highlight=clean+hardwood+floors

i'm confused. there's nothing in there about cleaning and it's for laminate floors. i have hardwood floors.

:confused:

:o Sorry about that! I fixed it now. I copy and pasted the wrong stuff.

Most hardwood floors today have polyurethane finish. If you have a poly finish and use a commercial cleaner, make sure the label specifically states safe for polyurethane finish. Many prefinished flooring manufacturers sell their own recommended cleaner. Bonakemi is a popular professional cleaner. A mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar to one gallon of water is an effective cleaner.

Clean a section at a time. Toss down an old towel to dry and buff out streaks before moving on to next section. If using mop, it should be squeezed nearly dry.

Polyurethane should never be waxed or oiled or cleaned with products containing waxes or oils. Waxes contaminate finish and can cause adhesion problems when it is time to refinish. Oils and oil-based cleaners can dull and soften finish as well as contaminate finish for refinishing. Avoid pre-treated dust mops, vacuums with beater bars, and abrasives.

The poly finish limits what you can use to clean. Water is ok, but you don't want it to sit on the floor for a while and have a chance to soak through. Any kind of a solvent based cleaner will likely damage the finish on your floor. As a product you make at home, a weak solution of vinegar and water can be effective. The best bet is to go to a flooring store and ask them to recommend a cleaner for poly finished hardwood floors. Might be a little on the spendy side, but you shouldn't need to use it very often.

What is the best thing for cleaning dog urine of laminate or real hardwood. We have both and 2 yorkies. And I'm looking to build a new house and would like to know the most durable against Dog urine.

Properly sealed hardwood will be more durable, but the dogs could still easily ruin it. Keep in mind that laminate flooring really isn't wood, it's bascially a picture of wood glued to a cardboard-like substrate.

When my pups were young I used a small amount of vinegar or ammonia to clean laminate. If it is on hardwood use vinegar.