Yes, you can use it to deep clean once a month.

What's the finish on the floors? Is it a traditional poly/urethane finish? Factory finished or site finished?

Vinegar is acidic - even when watered down. If used too often (a couple/three times a year is fine) it can cause the new finishes to haze/etch. And that's very upsetting.

As long as your finish isn't shellac. I use it on my poly finished floors. Which have shellac under the poly.

It has a polyurethane semi gloss finish. I've never used anything on it. Just use Miele vac and norwex microfiber on it. But traffic areas in kitchen are kinda dull looking and under kitchen table. Areas with no traffic can take microfiber over and they still pretty shine.

And my floors were sanded and finished on site.

Some stuff that I've read says a little dishwashing liquid in warm water. So is it a little vinegar or a little dish soap? And I know it is just damp not wet mopping. I'm thinking micro fiber cloth wring out good.

In my opinion, definitely no vinegar. Any amount whatsoever will have an oxidizing effect on the finish.

Assuming your floors are prefinished, if you know the manufacturer then obtain (call their customer support dept if you have to) and follow their maintenance instructions.

If you don't know the manufacturer then go to the Bona website and read up (Wood Floors 101). Better yet go to the National Wood Flooring Association's website, look for the 'for consumers' section and read up.

If you want your hardwood floors to last 35+ years then follow the manufacturers maintenance instructions exactly. I'll bet you'll never find a manufacturer of prefinished hardwood that that says yes, it's ok to use vinegar on the finish.

My hardwood floors are not prefinished. They were raw unfinished wood, sanded and finished on site. No factory finishing.

> My hardwood floors are not prefinished.

If I were you I'd track down the finish used, get the manufacturer's maintenance specifications and follow exactly. That is the key to getting as as long a life as possible from the finish.

Still, I'm guessing no manufacturer will specify it's ok to use vinegar on a residential hardwood floor finish.

MrsD you are looking for a product that states:

pH Neutral Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Armstrong, Bona, etc make great products that you can purchase either on line or in stores.

Do NOT purchase "polish" or any product that says "will renew/rejuvenate the look of your floors". Those types of products WILL damage your floors.

Do NOT purchase 'all purpose' cleaners. Do NOT purchase product that states "good for all flooring surfaces". That's the same as an all purpose cleaner.

Do NOT use oil based soaps like Murphy's Oil Soap. Murphy's absolutely WILL damage any hardwood floor on the market. To the point it cannot be refinished - ever.

I've heard 'a drop of Dawn' in a BUCKET of water is all a hardwood floor needs. This works nicely for now. And when we talk about 'damp' mopping we mean WATER ONLY once per week.

When we talk about 'damp cleaning' we mean "a drop of Dawn" once per MONTH.

For nasty oily stains (or foot prints, etc) go ahead and spot clean with a spritz of Windex. It will work just fine for basic oily clean-up.