How do I clean a dark refinished hardwood floor?

Hi Buzzy, I have 100 year old hardwoods in my house which I refinished with dark walnut stain and then with several coats of a satin polycrylic. All I use is a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water with a splash of any essential oil. It works amazing, my floors come out gleaming every time.

I generally use orange, lemongrass, eucalyptus or tea tree oil because it all smells good and its good against bacteria.

Also I have a good mop specific for hardwood floors.

If you have hard water perhaps there’s a fine film of lime deposit on it. Maybe a wash solution with some vinegar will remove the film. Could also be whatever the floor was finished with was not meant to get wet. You wouldn’t wash your good varnished furniture with soap & water after all.... if you do get your fine furniture wet, often there is a white spot left behind.

I have always used 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp blue dawn, 2 gallons warm water with the mop well wrung since 2001 and my floors look amazing and shiny, no film. You are probably seeing a film from the chemicals in your water.