To find the best hardwood floor cleaners, we spent hours researching the market while considering factors such as type, application style, and formula. We also asked Kathy Cohoon, operations manager of Two Maids & A Mop, for tips on what to look for when buying the right cleaner for your hardwood floors. Our top pick is the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner for its impressive cleaning power, fast drying time, and unscented formula made with plant-derived ingredients. Here, the best hardwood floor cleaners to keep your floors in tip-top shape. Who it isn’t for: People who want a concentrated or scented cleaner. With a newly improved formula, quick drying time, plant-based formula, and overall effectiveness, our top pick for the best cleaner for hardwood floors is Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. This EPA Safer Choice-certified cleaner is unscented, residue-free, and works to gently but efficiently remove dust, grime, and dirt to reveal your floor’s natural shine. We also love that this impressive cleaner comes completely ready to use—just spray and mop. This expert-approved pick is for unwaxed, unoiled, and polyurethane-finished wood floors. The pH-neutral formula is free of parabens, ammonia, phosphates, and phthalates and is ideal for maintaining your floor’s finish and protecting it from discoloration. Product Details:
Type: SpraySize: 32 ounces
Price at time of publish: $10 Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to dilute their cleaning products. With an A rating from the EWG and a Leaping Bunny Certification, Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Floor Cleaner is our pick for the best eco-friendly hardwood floor cleaner. This natural cleaner can be diluted and used on various sealed floors, including hardwood, tile, concrete, linoleum, sealed stone, and more, making this product one of the most versatile on our list. It’s formulated with natural ingredients like vinegar and essential oils, and it’s available in three scents (lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender). This cleaner is odor neutralizing, tough on grime and stains, and pet-safe and kid-friendly when used properly. For best results, dilute a half cup of the concentrate in two gallons of water. You can use it in a mop bucket, floor cleaning machine, or spray bottle. With a 32-ounce bottle, a little can go a long way to keep your hardwood floors shiny and naturally clean. Product Details:
Type: LiquidSize: 32 ounces
Price at time of publish: $11 Who it isn’t for: People who want a cleaner with a plant-based formula. Finding a hardworking product that’s capable of deep cleaning your floors without causing irreparable damage can be challenging, but Zep’s Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner fits the bill. This powerful, ready-to-use spray is versatile and effective at removing scuff marks, stains, dirt, grime, and dust. It’s safe for varnish, acrylic, and polyurethane-finished wood and laminate floors, baseboards, and cabinet doors. It also does not require dilution and leaves a fresh yet subtle scent. Aside from deep cleaning your floors, this cleaner also dries quickly and restores shine. For those who need to deep clean regularly, this cleaner comes in a refillable gallon that you can use without a spray bottle. While the label recommends using a dry cloth or towel with this cleaner, you can also use a microfiber cloth or a disposable dry-sweeping cloth. Product Details:
Type: SpraySize: 32 ounces
Price at time of publish: $15 Who it isn’t for: People who want something more budget-friendly. Concentrates allow you to tailor the strength of your hardwood floor cleaner and reduce product waste in the process. For those who prefer concentrated cleaners, we recommend Branch Basics Concentrate for its natural, fragrance-free formula. This cleaning concentrate has an A rating from the EWG and is Leaping Bunny Certified. Just add water and the Branch Basics concentrate to a spray bottle, and you’ll be able to use it on various surfaces throughout your home. Branch Basics products are plant and mineral-based, cruelty-free, and made without harmful preservatives or chemicals, which make them safe to use around children and pets. With this concentrate, you might be able to clean every part of your home with just one product. Product Details:
Type: LiquidSize: 33.8 ounces
Price at time of publish: $55 Who it isn’t for: People with waxed or unfinished hardwood floors. Scratched and dull hardwood floors can make a room, even an entire house, look dingey. To restore a naturally high gloss and add protection from future scratches, we love Weiman’s Hardwood Polish and Restorer. This cleaner fades existing scuffs on high-traffic hardwood floors while forming a protective, scratch-resistant layer. It also leaves a brilliant sheen without any streaks or sticky residue. The manufacturer recommends using more than one coat for an even layer and extra shine, but cautions against using too much, which can create a waxy buildup. While this polish is safe for finished hardwood floors, it should not be used on waxed, oiled, unfinished, or unsealed wood floors. With the right amount of this polish, your hardwood floors can look as good as new. Product Details:
Type: LiquidSize: 32 ounces
Price at time of publish: $14 Who it isn’t for: People who want a concentrated hardwood floor cleaner. Citrus and herbal scents are commonplace in most household cleaners, but the Method Squirt and Mop Wood Floor Cleaner offers a pleasant update from these typical scents with its soothing, sweet, and nutty almond aroma. This cleaner smells so good, guests might think you’re baking an almond cake instead of cleaning. While also available in lemon ginger and spearmint sage, the almond option is a clear winner for the best-scented hardwood floor cleaner. Not only is this cleaner made with plant-based ingredients, but it’s also tough on dust and grime without harming wood surfaces. This hardwood wood cleaner leaves a light, streak-free shine without any sticky residue—and unlike many others, it doesn’t require diluting or rinsing. Product Details:
Type: LiquidSize: 25 ounces
Price at time of publish: $6 Who it isn’t for: People who want a floor cleaner that leaves a glossy finish. Although laminate and hardwood floors can look similar, they can scarcely be cleaned with the same product. Laminate is human-made with a photographic layer, while hardwood is made of natural, durable wood such as oak or maple. Finding a cleaner that’s effective on both materials can be a challenge, which is why we narrowed it down to our favorite: Black Diamond’s Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner. This biodegradable cleaner is effective at removing spills, stains, dirt, dust, oil, and footprints from both surface types. The manufacturer recommends using a microfiber mop to avoid streaks and excess moisture. This cleaner also has a matte finish, so if you want your floors to glisten and shine you may want to opt for another product on our list. While this is one of the pricier cleaners we selected, it’s ideal for those who want a versatile and efficient product to maintain the finish on laminate floors or bring hardwood back to its former glory. Product Details:
Type: SpraySize: 32 ounces
Price at time of publish: $15 Who it isn’t for: People who would rather have a spray mop that dispenses cleaning solution. This durable and affordable mop features a 360-degree maneuverable swivel and a stainless steel adjustable handle for a comfortable grip. It also comes with three reusable and dual-sided microfiber mop pads and a dirt removal scrubber for clearing debris off the mop pad or scrubbing grime from the floor. This microfiber mop is safe and effective on hardwood, laminate, marble, tile, and vinyl. The blue microfiber side of the mop pads attracts fine dust and hair while effectively absorbing water, while the beige side works for waxing. Pair it with your favorite hardwood floor cleaner for a spotless shine and thorough cleaning. Product Details:
Type: Microfiber mopSize: 59.45 x 5.12 x 16.54 inches
Price at time of publish: $29
How to Shop for Hardwood Floor Cleaners Like a Pro
Type
Most hardwood floor cleaners come in a liquid, spray, cream, or concentrate form. Cleaning machines can include mops, scrubbing machines, wet-dry vacuums, and robot vacuums. Cohoon recommends sprays or squirt-and-mop cleaners for small areas and wood soap or concentrates diluted with warm water for large areas.
Application Style
Application style depends on your preferred cleaner. For example, a concentrated cleaner will require dilution before you can spray it on the floor, while a squirt-and-mop cleaner is ready to use. Either way, Cohoon says you should ensure your hardwood floor is free of dust and dirt before using any type of cleaner. “Vacuum or sweep away any debris so as to not nick or scratch floors,” she says. “Wipe down the floor surface using a soft, dry cloth and avoid oversaturating the surface and be sure to refill your cleaning solution often so you’re not cleaning with dirty water.”
Formula
Hardwood floors require plenty of maintenance, so choosing a cleaner with safe yet effective ingredients is imperative. Cohoon suggests avoiding any products with harsh ingredients (like those designed for other types of surfaces) that can damage floors and cause irritation. “To preserve the finish of the floor, be sure to avoid bleach and any cleaning agents with bleach or brighteners,” says Cohoon. “Be sure to also avoid abrasive cleaners and chemicals such as ammonia as its harshness will damage wood floors.” If you want to try an all-purpose cleaner meant for several types of floor, always do a spot test in an inconspicuous area.
Questions You Might Ask
What is the best way to clean and shine hardwood floors?
While there are plenty of safe and effective commercial cleaners for hardwood floors, a simple DIY solution using household ingredients can get the job done with a bit more elbow grease. Cohoon prefers a mixture of water and vinegar since it freshens and cleans floors, is easy to make, and can suit any budget. If you’re using a commercial cleaner, be sure to follow the instructions on the label. To get the most thorough clean, avoid using more solution than needed to prevent warping or waxy buildup.
How often should you clean hardwood floors?
While there is no hard and fast rule on how often you should clean your hardwood floors, Cohoon recommends considering factors such as foot traffic and how often you want to polish or wax your floors. “How often you should mop depends more on foot traffic,” says Cohoon. “A mudroom where the whole family kicks off their shoes and pets may trample in from the outdoors will probably need to be mopped much more often than a hardwood floored guest bedroom that isn’t often occupied. A good general rule is to mop all floors at least biweekly. Gentle wood wax can be used annually for high polish jobs.”
Can you use hardwood floor cleaners on engineered hardwood and laminate floors?
Hardwood floor cleaners are gentle enough to condition and clean while not damaging the wood. Because of this, hardwood floor cleaners are not strong enough to deep clean engineered or laminate floors, according to Cohoon. She suggests choosing cleaning agents specific to the type of flooring in your space to ensure a quality clean and high shine finish.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews. To compile this list, she spent hours researching hardwood floor cleaners and comparing them for formula, application style, effectiveness, and type. She also received tips on how to shop for hardwood floor cleaners from Kathy Cohoon, operations manager with Two Maids & A Mop.
