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]