Don't worry too much about water spills, but wipe them up as soon as possible. He emphasizes the need for proper maintenance. If there are a lot of people who use the floor, then it should be waxed every five or seven months. It is just like waxing a car, but you have to buy wood wax that you can get in any hardware store. Then it is you, a cloth and the floor, a very easy process.
Homeowners can rent a sander and use sandpaper for the edges of the floor.
Make the brushstrokes uniform, and if you don't feel comfortable, hire someone. For light scratches on your wooden floor caused by dust, you can use baby oil. That will make the floor look better and make the dust go away. Slevarakis is a fan of hardwood floors, but he stresses the basics. Please, don't use nails or screws, and don't use soap on the floor.