Water is the number one natural enemy of wood. Since water leakage between boards can cause stains or swelling, it is better that you avoid wet-mopping your wood floor and using water base waxes on your wood floor.

Usually, dry mop or vacuum clean your wooden flooring weekly once or when you vacuum carpeting. It is a better practice to wax your wood floors once in a year or twice a year.

They finish the wood flooring with a surface finish or a penetrating sealer.

Your manufacturer specifies whether the wood has been finished with a penetrating sealer or a surface finish if your wooden flooring is one with a factory-applied finish. Assume a surface finish was used if you do not know how your floor was finished and treating a penetrating sealer as a surface finish can do no harm to your floor.

Cleaning floors finished with penetrating sealers : Use mineral spirits and steel wool, for occasional cleaning up of spots. Buff the floor lightly after wiping the area with a clean, soft rag.

Clean a small area at a time with a mineral base cleaner, when the floor shows signs of excessive wear, going over the area with rags or number 3 steel wool. After a few hours, buff the floor with a bristle buffing pad after wiping off any excess cleaner with a clean rag.

Now, buff the floor after finishing with a good paste wax one intended for use on hardwood floors.

Cleaning surface-finished floors : Go over the floor with a barely damp sponge mop for periodic cleaning of spots and stains. If any of the stains remain, use a mild cleanser, such as ammonia or white vinegar, to remove them. To remove any residue, rinse the floor with a clean, damp but not wet, sponge mop. You can buff it lightly to restore the floor's luster.

Use a mineral base cleaner in the same way as described for floors finished with penetrating sealers for a more thorough cleaning.

Floor care experts agree you'll get better wear and appearance if you wax the surface once in a year or twice a year though manufacturers of polyurethane finishes claim no waxing is necessary.

Buff the surface to a luster using a buffing machine or clean, soft rags after applying a light coat of paste wax suitable for use on hardwood floors.