I'm replying to this old thread instead of starting a new one with the hopes that someone can clarify things for me on this topic. We're renting a house built in the early 1800s; well, part of it was. One room I know has the original wood floor because of the unevenly-sized very wide boards used. But in the living room and dining room it is newer, relatively. Thinner boards that have more consistent sizing. We were told that most tenants put in carpeting (either an oriental room-sized rug or a carpet remnant) in the living room and perhaps that has led to the wood floor in there appearing to be even more dull and almost dirty. We'll be here another 15 months at least but I'm not sure about buying carpet pieces yet. Either way, I gotta clean this. Cat puke that we didn't find til morning; husband dropping a greasy piece of food; a bunch of things have happened that have left stains that just look like it's wet but it's not. I tried to cover the grease spots with salt right after it happened, I read that that might draw it out of the wood but it didn't work. I tried the Swiffer wet jet for wood floors on part of the living room - it didn't do anything bad but I don't think it did anything good, either. So what can we do to : 1. Remove the stains 2. Make it shinier (bc the way it is now, it looks dusty & dirty even during the short time it's not!!) 3. Make it easier to prevent/clean up stains in the future Thank you!!!

Keeping my wood and porcelain/stone floors have never been easier. This is one of those products that I don't ever want to be without again! You've probably seen it advertised on TV...Mint Automatic Cleaner. It dry sweeps and wet mops. I had the white (4200 model) at first but upgraded to the black (5200 model). Well worth it imo. It's not a vacuum, it uses microfiber clothes (included for wet and dry) or you can use Swiffer cloths. Personally, I think the Swiffers work better. I double them for an even thicker padding and then turn the cloth over to use the other side. When wet mopping, I use a combo of water/alcohol (for tile only!) sprayed on the cloth and also squirt it on the floor. I know it's expensive but when I think of the time I have to do other things, the pain in my back from dry dusting and mopping and my always clean floors, I made it a priority purchase. It's been WELL worth it! 4.5 stars on Amazon. It's less expensive at Bed Bath and Beyond tho with a 20% off coupon. Here is a link that might be useful: Mint

My 1934 old house had had a fire before I bought it. I was told to use terpentine and linseed oil mixture, it looked really beautiful..I sanded it first. Danish oil also looks beauriful on old wood. Stains? You just have to sand first, then use a stain darker than the original. Use a wood conditioner first, then hand stain the wood, trying to blend around the stain until the spot on the floor blends in better. Apply 2 coats of poly. Keep the room as dust free as possible. I still have a dark spot on my living room floor that was burned. Doesn't bother me, just reminds me that this old house has a story to tell.

Another Bona user here. My housekeepers don't clean under the pad often, so about twice a year (well, sometimes it ends up about once a year), I roll up the area rug (even the big ones), vacuum the pad well on both sides, roll it up and clean under it with Bona. When thoroughly dry, replace pad and rug. I was told you shouldn't use vinegar with water as it will eventually wear off the finish. The Bona mop (the one with the refillable reservoir) is great because you can fill the reservoir, snap it in, spray and mop with the pad attached with Velcro. Then wash the pads when done and you are ready for next time. I just replaced my Bona mop after about 15 years of use, so worth the investment. Pads last a long time too.