Bump.

I ALWAYS recommend the HOMEOWNER purchase/provide all cleaning supplies for their hardwood floors. The needs of the floor come before the needs/wants of the human being doing the cleaning.

Materials: 2 Micro Fibre Mop heads. One for "dry" dust mopping. One for damp cleaning. Clearly mark the DAMP cleaning mop with BLUE tape (blue for water...). Don't mix up the mops (it isn't catastrophic...it just means you have to launder both objects to get them back to their original purpose).

Purchase: pH neutral hardwood flooring cleaner that has been recommend by the manufacturer (be aware there are "polishes" out there that promise to 'rejuvenate' the look of your floors or to 'bring back the life to your hardwood floors'; these are to be avoided like the plague). The "recommended by" is double-speak for "required by". Do NOT use "eco-friendly" products. They are oil based products that can and will reduce the life of your floor's finish ('nother story altogether...I won't get into it).

Maintenance Schedule:

1. Dust-mop/sweep/vacuum (no beater bar) multiple times per week

2. Damp-mop (water ONLY) once per week

3. "Clean-mop" (with cleaning product in lieu of weekly damp mop) every 2 weeks

I would recommend a schedule that is kept in the cupboard for the cleaning person. It will have dates with the "clean-mop" dates clearly marked. Have him/her sign off on the schedule that the cleaning days have been accomplished.

And to be clear, "damp-mopping" means the mop head holds SO LITTLE water that it almost feels like it is dry.

And another clarification: the cleaning solution is to be sprayed onto the MOP HEAD...and not onto the floor. Nothing should be "sprayed" onto a hardwood floor other than champagne during a party! (tongue firmly in cheek).

Good luck. Keep a CLOSE eye on the cleaners for the first few visits. I've seen dozens of floors ruined by cleaning companies during my career as a flooring sales person/technical support. It is heart breaking. Education. Explanation. Understanding of what the PURPOSE is behind each step. Hopefully there is minimal language barrier between yourself and your cleaning crew.

Manufacturer has not recommended any specific brands. This is what they say:

Using any of the
following items to maintain your wood floor will void all manufacturer
warranties!

Water

Wax

Oil Soap

Furniture Polish

Vinegar, Ammonia

Dust Control Sprays

Household Detergent

Cleaners that leave an acrylic
finish

So, what cleaning product wouldn't void my warranty?? Is Bona ok? Would a "damp mop" be considered "water"?

"Water" would be (or should be) considered "standing water". That's a "pour the bucket on the floor and mop it dry" type cleaning regime.

You are looking on the "warranty" information. See if there is a location for "care and maintenance". A website should have a link for your product. If you have a link to the company website, we might be able to spot it for you. They ALWAYS have "care and maintenance" information. They have to. It covers their butt, legally speaking.

The above post says to clean on a regular schedule of vacuuming and mopping, I'll disagree on that point.

That is a best guess or a suggestion from past experiences. The manufacturer’s instructions are what should drive this. What I believe turns people away from this is most of the manufacturers state 'clean as often as necessary' which is left open to interpretation.

How do you tell how often is necessary? If you can see dirt, or if you hear or feel something under your feet or shoes, it's well past necessary.

Here's one way to tell, which involves some individual preference: Get an LED flashlight. Turn it on and lay it on the floor. Look at the light pattern and shadows across the floor boards, move it around in different directions and in different locations and observe things. Or show your cleaning service to do this, or do it with them.

Keep in mind what you want to do here, not make the floor clean enough to eat off of it (although for some people...). Abrasion is what you are trying to avoid, it's caused by dirt and debris particles under shoes and feet, by moving furniture and rugs, etc (essentially from all of life in a home). Abrasion is a main cause of surface finishes to wearing out. Maintenance and care manuals should explain all this and more.

Extra credit: Do the floor boards have micro bevels on their edges? If yes look closely in the V shaped depression space formed by the beveled edges of two adjacent boards. Is there some/none/a lot of/any dirt, dust or debris in there? Some manufacturers say these bevels are added, in addition to get a desired look and pattern, to trap dirt and debris. The movement of feet and shoes across a floor surface moves small particles into the depressions and the debris therefore is less likely to act as an abrasive on the top flat surface of the boards. This sounds good in theory, and I suspect it may be true to a certain extent.