Don't forget that it also depends on the type of wood you have...some take stain better than others...I have red oak... I decided to do English Chestnut. In theory I love a dark floor but I worried about dust and maintenance and scratches showing. Another BIG factor was that I always do very dark funiture...so I wanted some contrast....The color did come out a little lighter than I thought, but I definitely don't think it's red bc I hate reddish floors...I'd say it's a nice medium, neutral tone...the dark tones really work well with the dark furniture. Here are some pix: This is when we first moved in...with our temporary old loveseat and rug, etc..it looks pathetic LOL..but it shows the floor with natural light which is how it usually looks...oh, it's a satin finish top coat

Thank you Flash407 for bumping this thread back to page 1. Now I've got it bookmarked. One of those things I meant to read but didn't get around to. What a lot of good info. This is better than epinions! :) Have to say I too am sorry about spending $400 on a Dyson, (EVERY time I use it!) for a number of reasons. Strong suction but it ends there. However, mine is not a 'ball', so maybe that one is different. Considered the Roomba, and from what you're all saying it really does sound great, still not sure about the cat reaction though??? The other name coming up again and again seems to be *Miele*. Particularly for the canister vacs for hardwood and kitchens? (The backpack sounds cool but unfortunately my 'back' is beyond that :) Have to go check these Mieles out. Anything has to be better than lugging that Dyson around OR trying to use it's attachments. Speaking of smells...you're all lucky not to live in eastern PA. A new invasive species arrived in a cargo container in 2000, according to Rutgers Univ. in Allentown PA, called the Brown marmorated Stink Bug. They got to my area (just north of Philadelphia) a couple years ago and it's a war zone! Vacumm one of these things and the smell (an oil they can spray) will be everywhere plus in the vacuum itself for days. :(

Anything that says "multisurface" is not good enough for wood. I can guarantee it. And these "natural cleaners" are AAAAAALLLLLL oil-based cleaners. https://www.mrsmeyers.ca/basil-multi-surface-concentrate/ Notice the ingredients list: I count 6 oils in the ingredients (a "surfactant" comes from oil). The main ingredient = coconut oil. So I'm correct in saying this is a VERY expensive version of "Murphy's Oil soap" ... it just has plenty of pretty smell. That's the only difference. Both will destroy your hardwood in the same way. The basic maintenance for hardwood floors finished in polyurethane: I recommend purchasing 2 microfibre mops; 1 for 'damp' and 1 for 'dry' cleaning: 1. Sweep or dry dust mop (or vacuum without the beater-bar) 2-3 times per week 2. Water-damp mop (slightly damp = almost dry) once per week (no cleaner) 3. pH Neutral hardwood floor cleaner used 1-2 per MONTH (in lieu of damp mop) These pH neutral cleaners are made up MOSTLY of alcohol. They will clearly state on the label "does not leave a residue". The chemicals present in these formulas are MUCH LESS than the chemicals in your current cleaner. I would speak with your flooring professional to find out the BRAND of the oil based polyurethane (which has HUGE amounts of chemicals = ++++off gassing) to find out if the brand of finish has a recommended cleaning product (some do....but not all). Companies like Armstrong and Bruce create their own pH neutral hardwood floor cleaners for their hardwoods. They are quite safe for hardwoods and for air quality in the home. If you don't like the over-the counter stuff, stick with water...you will be just fine.

At this point, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do nothing. This is a brand new finish. It will not perform to the level of the old finish for a little bit of time. An old oil finish (lets say 15 years of 'hardening') is going to be much HARDER than a fresh water based finish. You must be patient with this. Whomsoever 'let' you back in on that floor after ONE DAY is the one you need to speak with. Bona MEGA needs 10 days to reach a full cure (that means it is no longer soft enough to peel back with a fingernail). Bona Traffic HD cures in 5 days (again no longer soft enough to peel back with a fingernail). Please respect the youth that is this finish. If it took 15 years for the old finish to perform the way you say it did, you will need to allow this finish the same amount of patience for this new finish. Remember: a floor finish is a floor finish. It's chemical characteristics will not change. The laws of physics and chemistry will not change. The only part of this equation that can 'change' is the human being. Either accept the finish for what it is (super young and needing time and patience) or pay for another finish that will suit YOU.