Preventive maintenance is important: be sure to tend to any spills or messes immediately.
Every other day, use a broom or a soft, dry dust mop and sweep high-traffic areas of your home (exterior doorways, stairs, and in front of the sink, stove and refrigerator if your kitchen has a wood floor).
Although sweeping should be the primary method of cleaning your wood floor, you can also vacuum once a week or so in order to pick up the fine particles that the broom doesn’t get. Don’t use an upright or canister vacuum on a wood floor – they can be damaging. You can use a bare-floor brush attachment. Pull it toward you, keeping the handle raised so that the edge won’t scratch the floor’s surface.
Never use water to clean a wood floor. It can cause warping, and in extreme cases, even cause the floor to rot. Be cautious of too much water and water-based cleaning products even if your floor is protected by wax. Water damage can be very costly to repair! If you’re trying to clean up a mess and must use water, use this method: dampen a soft cloth, wring it out well, and wrap it around the head of a sponge mop. Go over a small section of the floor at a time, and be sure to wipe that section dry with a second cloth before moving on to the next part.
If your hardwood floor has a polyurethane finish and you want to remove a greasy film or dirt buildup, you can damp-mop with a nonabrasive, non-streaking solution: either one part ammonia to 20 parts warm water, or a mix of one cup of white vinegar and one gallon of warm water. Remember to thoroughly wring out your mop before you put it to the floor; it should be half dry. If you do end up with a puddle, take care of it right away to avoid water damage.