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"Everyone thinks wood floors are delicate and require special TLC, but nothing could be further from the truth. A polyurethane (not wax)-finished wood floor is a cinch to maintain, if you follow just a few easy guidelines. Rule #1: Shoes Off I am a firm believer in taking my shoes off as soon as I come in the door, and thankfully, my husband is, too. This simple act goes a long way to eliminating virtually all of the tracked-in dirt that can wreak havoc on a wood floor&amp;#039;s finish. Dirt and grit are abrasive and over time these particles leave behind fine scratches that make your floors look dull. This brings us to the next rule of good wood floor care: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Rule #2: Vacuum Often Nothing removes dirt and fine debris from the cracks and crevices of a wood floor like a good vacuum cleaner. The best choice is a canister vacuum with its long, oval floor brush attached. If you only have an upright model, be sure to turn off the rotating brush to keep the bristles from scratching your floors. RELATED: 7 Mistakes You&amp;#039;re Making With Your Wood Floor Rules #3: Attack Spills and Scuffs Promptly Spills will happen, but let them dry on the floor, and they dull the finish and attract additional dirt. Blot spills immediately with an absorbent cloth. Follow up with a damp paper towel to remove any residue and buff dry. When you see a light scuff, buff it out with your sock; even a clean, fuzzy tennis ball will often erase it. To remove heavier scuffs, apply a little baking soda to a damp cloth and gently rub the mark until it disappears. Rinse with a damp paper towel and buff dry.  Rule #4: Don&amp;#039;t Overwet If you follow rules #1 through #3, you may never need this rule. But if wet cleaning becomes necessary, the worst thing you can do is let water puddle on the floor. To clean traffic aisles or brighten dull areas, use a product specifically formulated for surface-treated wood floors. Simply spray a small 3-foot by 3-foot area with the cleaner and go over it with the microfiber mop to pick up the dissolved dirt. Work your way around the floor, cleaning one area at a time. RELATED: Use These Top-Tested Cleaners on Your Wood Floor Carolyn Forte is the director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Department. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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