This isn't exactly about cleaning floors, more about keeping them nice once they ARE clean. I have dark walnut (think chocolate bars . . . ) engineered hardwood floors throughout the house, except for kitchen, baths, entry. They don't get 'dirty' per se, but, honestly, I don't think there is a person on this planet who could keep them dust-free. They get dusty in just a couple of days. Perfect solution? Roomba. He chugs all over, all by his little self. His HEPA filters catch ALL the dust. There is even noticeably less on the furniture. I guess that's because Roomba vacuums it up instead of just flinging it around everywhere the way a regular vacuum does. This is, of course, starting with a floor that's basically clean. If someone comes through and leaves a footprint, a damp cloth takes it right up. The tile is dealt with by Braava, Roomba's sister. As for the OP's question, I vote for taking up as much of the Murphy's as possible with warm water. Rinse, rinse again, then follow with the Glass Plus. Skate around on towels to wipe up the leavings.

Willinak, interesting that you want less contrast. I'm guessing that a lot of people here are putting in a plug one way or another for clearly delineated color contrasts if you're going to do it. I think I agree with that if there is sharp horizontal linearity going on. But I liked that 2-toned wood kitchen with just slightly darker wood around the range too. that was an exception, though, with vertical color lines. And Janelle Millers kitchen was different, too, with playful color changes in the drawer fronts; ditto cooks46. Fun! plllog -- I'm not so sure that the success of the countertop color is linked to its being the same as the uppers as that it be similar to either upper or lowers -- that is, if there's horizontal linearity, stick with fewer rather than more color contrasts. I think dark counters matching dark bottoms works when there isn't too much contrast between them. I think the thing is, having that strong horizontal line created by cabinet-color difference is a really strong statement and you use up your ability to do much more with color. I think echoing the contrast up top in the molding (thinly) is about all your color budget might be able to hold at that point. A colorful line of counter *also* may just fizz the whole thing. Which might be a bummer for my idea of green-veined soapstone.... In any event, I take your point that doing this might make the selection of countertop more important than ordinarily (though you'd probably say it is *always* super-important! It just isn't, like all these myriad other decisions, anything I'd ever considered at all hard enough). Look at that corner island sink, rayle: bingo. Thanks! I like the molding in that picture too, though I'd want one a little simpler. plllog -- I'm wondering now whether you're right, and the countertop linked to the uppers is preferentially important. I think it nestles the whole countertop space with the uppers and makes a cozy connected space. It pulls the lower and uppers together that would otherwise be disconnected by color-line. When instead you relegate the counter to the bottom in terms of color, the horizontal lines don't get tied together and it's all less of a piece. But that's mostly possible with painted cabinets. How could one mimic that in 2-toned wood stains? Except go with wooden counters which I wouldn't want to do? At the least, I suppose, keep any BS lines long and the same lighter color as the uppers. Don't know if that would accomplish the tieing-together though.

Oh! Can I play? I just found this and am relating to it in an extreme way. We just removed everything from three bedrooms to have the floors refinished and I am forcing myself to downsize before I put everything back. I was fortunate to start reorganizing my filing system a week before the move, and purged a lot of paper at that time. I'll confess the oldest thing I found was a secretarial civil certification from 1977, and medical records from two dogs ago that have long since died. (Filing is Not my favorite thing to do.) It helped when I read that 80% of what we file is never looked at again...and yes, that is true in my case! Before I bring anything back into my home office, I'm making da*n sure that I need it or I love it. When in doubt, toss it out! I've wanted to do this for such a long time, but apparently I needed an extreme makeover to push me into it all the way. My goal is NO SURFACE CLUTTER. I've always had a fair amount of that, so this has been a challenge. I want my surfaces clear for anything I want to use them for at any moment, and to be easy to maintain. My office is all hardwoods (floors and furniture) and the dust is too hard to deal with, so I'm endeavoring to get 95% of it all under cover (drawers or closets.) We ditched a large armoire in the bedroom that wasn't utilized well, and a recliner we didn't use much to create some breathing room. I am dealing with everything you've mentioned and can relate to it all...from throwing out pens to bathroom/bedroom stuff. (I'm now down to a small box of pens where every last one works. How nice to go for what you need, knowing it still writes. I threw away more than I kept!) I've also purged gift wrap (Oh boy, do I relate!) along with the stupid gift wrap organizer which never worked very well for me. Instead, I have a beautiful old antique paper holder which holds two rolls; I'm also a total fan of white and brown butcher paper. (Along with a stash of tissue, which takes up less space than bubble wrap and makes great padding.) I saved a couple rolls of wallpaper which I like to use for drawer liner (or gift wrap) but I'm not saving Christmas paper any longer either. I did our bathroom potions/lotions when we finished the bathroom remodel, and the extra is stored in a small, two shelf nightstand cupboard. I refuse to buy anymore until that stuff is gone, and won't keep more than two on hand after that. No more Stocking Up excessively! Tomorrow, I'm putting some of my books back on the shelves, and considering a former cd rack for my next garage sale. (It's not under cover!) When we added a media cabinet in the kitchen, I allowed a couple of drawers for those and when they fill up, it's time to purge. I finally let go of all the cards I had saved (years worth) and frankly, I don't miss them one little bit. It's been a lot of work, but I'm enjoying the freedom that a little space brings. I've started a To Go list for the next garage sale with the items I no longer need and their location, so I'll know what to drag out when the time comes. Isn't it fun? Now if I could only brainwash myself into thinking organizing the garage would be fun...I'm not there yet!

Yes, positive thoughts! Re facial moisturizer: I know many have recommended Neutragena Hydro Boost. I'm working on a jar now of the gel and I'm not impressed. Doesn't really moisturize as much as I need and I do not like the smell...to me it smells like glue. I prefer their Moisture Rich Day Cream instead. Nicer smell and better moisturizing. And I recently bought a small travel size of Ponds and I liked that too. I'm using Dove bar soap now but in the winter I like Nivea Care and Coconut liquid soap..seems to moisturize a little better. Shampoo? No favorites...they all do the job, although I will look into sulphate free when I need to replenish. In the last year or so my hair has gotten frizzy and John Frieda anti frizz has helped. I work a small amount through my hair after shampooing. Body lotion? No favorites here either. Right now I'm using Vanicream and it's fine. I never notice much difference among brands. Hair products? Specifically volumizers and root lifters....I've tried too many to count on my thin, fine hair and have finally come to the conclusion my hair hates them all and I hate them for not keeping their promises!