This isn't even close to "low" gloss LOL. Dull is more like it. Any product recommendations to help with the cleaning process?

What have you used on it so far?

Were you there when they were installing the floor? If you were, was it obvious it did not look like what is in the store? The reason I asked what you have used on your floor so far is that if you have used anything with wax, you make have contributed to the issue.

Bona for WoodFloor cleaner, Shark for wood floor cleaner.

OK...so you have only applied cleaners (please throw the shark to the sharks....steam cleanser shouldn't be used on wood). Excellent. We are in good shape. You haven't ruined the finish by applying a polish.

Now the bad news: there is no fix. None. All you can do is "hope" it buffs up to a slightly higher gloss level. Even if this happens (and most do not...as it is a chemical dulling and not a physically dull/gritty surface), the MOST you can expect would be a "low gloss satin". Which is about 1/2 step "shinier". That's it. End of story. Nothing more to be done.

It is *possible (but no probable...sigh..thanks "Statistics 101" I never knew I would need you) that you received the wrong gloss level from the store or that the store's sample was mislabeled (happens more than you want to know) as "matte" when in fact it was a satin.

On the VERY SMALL chance that you have the wrong floor, I would ask to borrow the sample board once more and put it down over top of your floor and "watch it" over the entire day. See if you can reproduce the same dull effect as your floor. If so, then you are stuck with your floor.

This is your only hope of getting a shinier floor for "Zero" money. No matter what the problem is, the only way to get a shinier floor is to remove this one and put in a new one.

I'm so sorry this has happened. The matte, supermatte and "low-gloss" finishes are very disappointing to those who wish for a bit of shine.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I see products in the store that claim to make your dull floors look shiny (rejuvenate, for one) and wasn't sure if that was even safe to try. I appreciate the help, even though it appears it's just something I'm going to have to live with.

Are your floors engineered hardwood, or hardwood?

And the products you have been using - are they are for engineered hardwood, or hardwood?

There are no products that differentiate that I've seen. They just say hardwood.

I can tell you that I’ve used Bona, and it was horrible...it left a dull film. I used it one time on a small area of floor, and never used it again.

I have hardwood floors and use Bona which is recommended for hardwood. I wonder if there is something in it (oil, for instance) that makes real wood shine (because the wood absorbs it) but makes engineered surfaces, like Pergo or laminate, dull because it simply sits on top as a film? Bona makes my hardwood shine.

I'm no chemist, though.

nidnay, did you find a product that worked well? Thanks littlebug - that makes sense if it works that well for you.

I use water only (slightly damp sponge/sponge mop)....works like a charm.

Please do NOT use Rejuvenate or Mop N Glow or Orange Glow or any POLISH on your floors. These "restores your floor's finish to a healthy glow" type of products are temporary polymer products that are considered a "floor polish".

Bona produces a 'cleaner' (which sounds like the product you are using) as well as a "polish" with "restorative" properties. The polishes are to be avoided like the plague. While the short term benefit of added sheen is a bonus, the LONG TERM difficulties are the massive down side to these products.

If you start down the road to "polishing" you will be caught in a horrible "wax-on; wax-off" situation. You will need to apply the product every 6 months or so. The product "builds up" and looks waxy or plasticky after awhile. And then you need to STRIP the product every fifth or sixth application (every 2-3 years). That means a chemical stripper and "hands and knees" scrubbing for hours and hours and hours. And then you have your dull floor once again. You get to start the whole cycle all over again.

Whew. It is exhausting. And this is why we say "No polishes!" on your hardwood. They are far more trouble then they are worth.

If your floor has a matte finish by the manufacturer, adding a polish or wax (from cleaners or additional finishes) will add to your haze already on the floor. The only way to 'clean' the haze would be wearing it off (by constant traffic) or replacing the product.

matte doesn't get any duller than that unless using oil. if you want sheen buff and recoat with higher sheen finish.

DON'T USE BONA on hardwood floors! It leaves a dull haze that can only be removed with ammonia and water and a lot of elbow grease.

There are many different Bona products. Make sure you're not using one that has a wax or polish in it.

Note that the label says "no dulling residue".