If you refinish your floors with a polyurethane finish, you will be amazed at how much easier they are to maintain.
If there is any waxy or greasy residue on the floor, then mopping with water or vinegar will not work because vinegar cannot dissolve wax or grease. Also, soaps like Murphy's or Bronners can also leave soapy residues. Wax, grease, or soap residues will be dirt magnets.
Citrus oil solvents or a mild ammonia solution are excellent for removing residues, and will leave floors much cleaner. Do not use sudsy ammonia!
I like
Jeff Campbell's techniques - he explains them really well in his book. He recommends the Sh-mop with several removable washable covers. Put a few inches of hot water in your kitchen sink. Add a small amount of ammonia. Wet a shmop cover and mop with it. When it is dirty, put it in the wash (do not put the dirty cover in the clean ammonia solution!). Keep using new covers until the floor is clean. No dirty pail, cleans your sink, covers get super clean in the laundry, you can see if your floor is getting clean, and NO residues.
Ammonia should be used in a well ventilated area and it should be kept away from children. Although it is a strong chemical, it is environmentally friendly and pure
.
I am, however, considering the roomba and scooba because I don't do the above often enough
.
