I wish I had actual hardwood floors. We have wood laminate Pergo stuff, with large rugs by the front and patio doors and one in the living room. But I do home daycare...so I have alot of rules and do my share of cleaning.
Popsicles? Outside only! We do not eat or drink anything unless seated at the table. Period. When my own daughter was little (under 10?) it was this way as well. We still don't do anything but lightly sweetened ice tea/hot tea or water here, so not a ton of worry about other sticky drinks with my 16 year old!
Shoes are removed at the rugs (that I can vacuum..and I do once or twice a day from the kids, parent traffic and the shedding cats). If the kids feet (inside the shoes) are gross..we remove shoes on the outside steps and do a quickie foot wash. Its a PITA, but saves me the inside mess.
When I do clean my wood laminate, I use a washable, micro-fiber (wide head) mopping pad I got at Menard's. I got 2 of them so I always have a clean one. I use cleaner mixed with water in a spray bottle. Squirt, squirt...mop, mop (and for the laminate to not be smeary, I have to use paper towels and dry it right away as I go along...not sure real wood has that issue?). I am not sure why I never tried the spray bottle application before...dang, but it makes it so much easier than a bucket or filling the sink with water and cleaner!
So between rules that are common sense and easy to follow for my daycare kids (all under age 4)..and an easy-for-me cleaning routine...It just gets done!
Good luck!