Most new floors are surface-sealed with polyurethane, urethane, or a polyacrylic coating, all of which are water- and stain-resistant and therefore easy to clean. Older floors that haven’t been refinished usually have a shellac, lacquer, or varnish finish, and while these are technically also “surface-seals,” they aren’t nearly as durable as the more modern finishes; for the purposes of this article, they will, therefore, be placed under the “other” category alongside unfinished and waxed floors. Although prefinished floors are coated with a durable surface seal, the fact that each board is coated separately (as opposed to pressed up against one another on-site) means that the unsealed cracks between the boards are prone to water damage; for this reason, pre-finished floors also belong in the “other” category. When in doubt, choose the gentler method; a hardwood floor isn’t something you want to take chances with.

Also use the “bare floor” setting on your vacuum to prevent scratching the floor. Most vacuums have attached bristles to kick up dust, but these can ruin hardwood floors.

Hardwood floors are generally easy to keep clean, as there is nothing to trap dirt or dust. A simple sweep or vacuum should cover most messes.

Specific hardwood floor cleaners, of course, are your safest bet. Don’t use bleach, ammonia, abrasive cleaners, or anything that will leave a residue (ex. oil, furniture spray, wax). Not only will they damage the hardwood, but a few will even void the warranty on your floor.

Wring the mop dry, rub it over the wet floor until it’s saturated, and repeat until the floor is fairly dry. Do not postpone this step: though modern surface seals are water-resistant, they will not tolerate being wet for long periods. When you’re done, rinse the mop and refill the bucket with plain water.

Be sure to spot-test the mineral spirits on an inconspicuous area first. To do so, rub a small dot into the floor in an inconspicuous area (like under a couch). Return after 5-10 minutes to see if there is any damage to the floor. [4] X Research source