Same process as you.... best thing I found was a steam cleaner. It was the ONLY thing I've used that didn't leave some kind of residue or streaks. If you go to the cleaning forum, there is probably a post on it, as they bring this up periodically. Amazon has some good reviews on the various options for steam cleaners.

We have very hard water here, so I've resigned myself to the fact that a steam cleaner only lasts about a year for us. The biggest difference between the various ones I've tried is whether or not it includes a trigger. On the one hand, not having a trigger is easier because you don't have to hold it down the entire time. On the other hand if you need to stop to pick something up, move something, etc. you can damage your floors by leaving the steamcleaner in one place too long while you do that. I damaged the laminate in the kitchen (twice, ugh!) doing just that. I don't know whether you could inflict the same kind of damage on hardwood -but I don't think it would be good for it. Another thing I really like about the steamcleaner is that I can go from the laminate in the kitchen to the hardwoods to the tile in bathroom.... it does it all!

The only real criticism I've heard from people is "Ohmygosh you can't put WATER on a wood floor!" The reaity is that there is some amount of water in virtually every cleaner, and because the steam dissipates very quickly, it is on the floor for precious few seconds.

I heard that steam cleaning is a no-no? that it pushes water into the seams etc, several people have reported damag to the flooring? I was actually thinking about buyingteh Shark steam cleaner, but did not after reading up...

Water I al less oncerned with, as you say everything has water and if I turn on all the fans, it dries up in an instant

Surprised about the Bona cleaner. I have been using it on my very dark mahogany floors for the last 6 years and they look and feel like new.

creksha, I've been doing it for years.... no damage here. I do it once a week.

Yeah, I read reviews for teh Bona before buying, but as soon as I clean with it, I get footprints. I suspect the type of finish on the floor affects this.

I might try steam cleaning...I will check the warranty first, may people mention that the warranty is voided if we use steam

Have you ever waxed your floors? That would leave foot prints. Mine are dark also but no prints unless they're from the dogs with wet paws.

I wish someone would tell me an easy way to wash drool so I don't break my back. :)

You can buy special pens to color in scratches on the floor.

I have very dark wood floors too. Though, mine have a matte finish. I only use one of those large flat head mops and just dampen it. Naturally, I have to dampen a few times when I'm doing all my floors.
I do sweep the floor first to get the dog hair, etc. off then I just use the mop.
You may have some residue left over from some of the cleaners you've tried - or if you have shiny floors and you may have to go over them w/a dry mop head to keep them from smearing.
I find my floors super easy to clean and they never show much except the dog hair..yuck..
If you know the brand, etc. you may want to check thier website for the mfg. recommendations. I would steer clear of any vinegar.

Meant to add - it could be your water. I would try bottled spring water or distilled water to see if it makes any difference.

My floors were just installed. No wax, etc, prefinished. I only used Bruce once and Bona a couple of times, so I know its not the cleaning products. They are not very glossy, but not completely matte though.

Their recommendation is Bruce which made it super sticky!!

When I moved into my new house, I invested in a LadyBug steamer. I have LOTS of tile and dark hardwood. I dust mop or vacuum first and then steam clean. It dries almost immediately, no residue and they are UNBELIEVABLY clean. The steam volume is adjustable, so on the hardwoods, I turn it down very low and they dry almost immediately. I use RO water only in mine.

Every once in a while, (when I'm too lazy to drag out the steamer) I use a damp microfiber cloth and Pledge hardwood cleaner. It never streaks.

I also meant to mention that the more chemicals you have used on your floor in the past, the longer it will take to get it all of and be free of residue or streaks. No matter what the product says, I think they all leave something behind. That's one of the reasons I try to ONLY steam clean.

With my hardwood floor (Mohawk Winchester Oak) I was instructed to wet a Schmop, wring it out really good, put it on the Schmop handle, spray it with Bona Mannington UltraClean Cleaner for Hard Wood and Laminate floors and then swipe away. I've been doing it that way for the past couple years and it works great. Cleans up the spots and the floor looks great.