I was a *house cleaner* for 26 years.
 
I've cleaned, waxed, vacuumed, mopped about every floor surface known to
man.
 
This is what I learned about the newer types of flooring the last few
years.
 
Two of my family's put in new hardwood (oak) Kitchen too.  I was there
when we discussed cleaning, maintaining, etc.  Vacuum regularly, *damp
mop* as needed.  This floor had a varathane sealer.
 
The family had two big dogs that tracked in dirt/mud.  I vacuumed and
damp rag mopped once a week.  In less than a year the floors looked
chalky, and the kitchen area was down to wood.
 
The other family had their floors waxed.  They had one dog, and 3
children.
 
Those floors I vacuumed every two weeks, the home owner dust mopped in
between.  We would spot damp mop as needed.
 
I also buffed traffic areas every two weeks, and applied another coat
of wax/buffed every 6 months.  These floors were always beautiful, and
very easy to *spot repair*.
 
I do believe the varathane would have held up better had the home owner
maintained between my cleanings.
 
Ardith
[Posted in FML issue 5326]