If you’re using the wrong products you may be. Mass-marketed products like Swiffer, actually work against you by leaving an oily residue that builds up on your hardwood floors and also attracts dirt, dust and floor-scratching grit.

We recommend using one of the many chemical-free, non-toxic cleaners on the market today, combined with a microfiber applicator pad. We use environmentally-friendly Bona products, which are wax- and silicone-free. These cleaners also contain a drying agent to speed up the drying process, a real plus because moisture and wood don’t mix.

Microfiber pads pick up dirt, dust and moisture instead of just pushing it around. Even better, they’re machine washable, so you can use them again and again.

We like Bona Cleaners so much we give every client an introductory supply and sell it too. It’s also available at Lowe’s, Do It Best Hardware and Target stores.