--- title: "The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners, Vetted" description: "Maintaining the lustre of wood floors starts with the cleaner. See our guide for our top picks for the best hardwood floor cleaner." date: "2020-01-05" modified: "2023-06-21" authors: - name: "Manasa Reddigari" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/manasa-reddigari/" - name: "Tony Carrick" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-hardwood-floor-cleaner/" categories: - "Cleaning Supplies" - "Flooring" - "Interior" - "Reviews" tags: - "choose" - "cleaning" - "Commerce" - "flooring" - "healthy home" - "kids" - "MPR" - "pets" - "Product Category Reviews" - "tools" - "wood" --- # The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners, Vetted ![A person using the best hardwood floor cleaner option and a microfiber towel to clean a hardwood floor]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Hardwood flooring gets acclaim for its natural beauty, but it requires varying degrees of attention to maintain its good looks. In large part, the maintenance requirements for hardwood depends on its finish. Floors with penetrating finishes and wax top coats can be a chore because they easily absorb water and require solvent-based cleansers. Other hardwood floors have polyurethane, urethane, or other finishes that form a waterproof barrier for protection. If your floors, like many, are surface sealed, read on to learn what to look for in an effective [wood cleaner](). Plus, don’t miss our list of the best hardwood floor cleaners available. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner]() 2. **RUNNER-UP:** [Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner]() 3. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Better Life Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner]() 4. **BEST PET-FRIENDLY:** [Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner]() 5. **BEST ECO-FRIENDLY:** [Bona PowerPlus Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner]() 6. **BEST HEAVY-DUTY:** [Pledge Clean It Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner]() 7. **BEST FOR SPOT CLEANING:** [Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood/Laminate Floor Cleaner]() 8. **BEST FOR STAIN REMOVAL:** [Zep Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner]() ![A bucket of cleaning supplies, including the best hardwood floor cleaner option, sits on a set of hardwood stairs]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## Before You Buy a Hardwood Floor Cleaner Before buying a hardwood floor cleaner, there are some important considerations to take into account. Different flooring types require different cleaning solutions, and a product designed to clean hardwood floors may not be suitable for laminate flooring, vinyl flooring, or tiles. If your home consists of varied flooring types, a hardwood floor cleaner may not be the most effective or appropriate cleaning solution. It's also worth noting that even within hardwood, there are variations. The type of wood, finish, and degree of soiling can influence the wood cleaner's effectiveness. Therefore, what works wonders on one hardwood floor might not have the same impact on another. A well-informed choice can save your floor from potential damage and maintain its natural beauty for years to come. ## How We Chose the Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners We researched the most sought-after hardwood floor cleaners in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their type, application type, ingredients, scent, compatibility with multiple surfaces, and other special features included by select brands. While searching for the best cleaner for wood floors on the market, it appeared that the water and plant-based formulas were the most popular among users for their ease of use as well as peace of mind. While not as popular, chemical-based cleaners with surfactants are viable options for deep cleaning and a streak-free [polished finish](). No matter the type, each of the above picks cleans floors effectively and comes in a variety of spray or squirt bottles plus refill bottles to satisfy your personal cleaning solutions and preferences. Though some unscented options are listed above, many picks come with popular scents like lemon, almond, and citrus mint giving your space a clean-smelling feel. While some are meant for hardwood floors only, select picks also accommodate leather, plastic, metal, vinyl, sealed cork, wood cabinets, and furniture as well as ceramic, vinyl, bamboo, marble, tile, and laminate floors. ## Our Top Picks The [best products for wood floor cleaning]() are available in many types for your personal cleaning solutions. Grab [your mop]() and read on to discover our top picks in their respective categories. Clean your hardwood floors affordably with this plant-based, biodegradable formula. Considered on this list as the best hardwood cleaner, Method Squirt + Mop wood floor cleaner can also be used on laminate flooring if needed. To use, simply squeeze a small amount from the squirt bottle’s ergonomically designed shower nozzle and mop it up—no rinsing required. Note that this option does come with a fresh almond scent and is 100 percent cruelty-free. **Get the Method hardwood floor cleaner at [Target]() or [Amazon]().** When you’ve got a lot of floor space to clean, you can load Bona into the fluid cartridge of your spray mop and be on your way. This wax- and oil-free cleaner contains floor-friendly ingredients like water, citric acid, and hydrogen peroxide, all of which work against dust, dirt, and grime. After mopping, there’s no need to rinse any remaining cleaner; it will dry without leaving residue. **Get the Bona hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]() or [Target]().** For those in need of a budget-friendly option, this two-pack of Better Life Dirt-Destroying floor cleaner is 100 percent plant-based for homes with children and pets. Within each 32-ounce bottle is a citrus mint cleaning solution that works on hardwoods, bamboo, marble, laminate, vinyl, and tile. Better Life’s cruelty-free formula also contains no dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and other unnecessary chemicals. Simply apply to the floor through the squirt nozzle and then mop. **Get the Better Life hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]().** With pets running around the house, it can be hard to keep your wood floors clean. When you are fighting paw prints from outings and dirt from playing, the Murphy Oil Soap concentrated wood cleaner has been trusted for over 100 years and may be just the ticket. Made with plant-based ingredients, this cleaner has a natural citronella fragrance and can be used on wood cabinets and furniture as well as hardwood, laminate, ceramic, and vinyl floors. As this is a concentrated formula, you will need to dilute ¼ cup in a gallon of water before use. For those that use a spray mop, less product will be required depending upon the size of your mop’s water tank. **Get the Murphy Oil Soap hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]() (3-pack) or [Target]().** Made for those who prefer not to use chemicals to clean their flooring, the Bona PowerPlus hardwood floor cleaner is a good choice. This water-based, oxygenated, and unscented formula penetrates wood to bring back its smooth, shiny luster and leaves no residue behind. For added reliability, this wood floor cleaner is Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice certified. Simply apply to the floor and mop—no rinsing needed. **Get the Bona PowerPlus hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]() or [The Home Depot]().** While a “gentle wood floor cleaner” may make you think this option is mild when cleaning, this heavy-duty formula tackles dirt, grime, and stains with ease. As Pledge is one of the most trusted cleaning brands on the market, the Pledge wood floor cleaner measures up to the task with multiple cleaning agents, including a powerful surfactant for a residue- and streak-free finish. Leaving behind a fresh, lemon scent, this cleaner requires no dilution before use and can be poured directly on the floor and mopped—no rinsing required. **Get the Pledge hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]().** For spot cleaning, consider a spray-bottle formulation like this favorite from Black Diamond Stoneworks. Made with water and biodegradable surfactants, this eco-friendly and hypoallergenic cleaner helps clean food and drink spills, dirt, dust, and foot- or fingerprints with spray-and-wipe simplicity. Also, thanks to an additive, the cleaner works to prevent new debris from sticking to the floor surface, reducing cleanup efforts in the future. **Get the Black Diamond Stoneworks hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]().** To clean heavily dirt-laden and discolored floors, Zep hardwood and laminate floor cleaner is a worthy option. Made with water, surfactants, and methanol, the Zep formula packs an extra-strong punch on spots, stains, and scuff marks. Simply sweep or vacuum the floor, spray down the stained area, wipe or mop, and then dry wipe or mop the wet surface. Whatever liquid is left will dry quickly, so there’s no reason to rinse. One important thing to note is that this product is an eye irritant, and users should avoid prolonged skin contact with the formula. It should only be used in well-ventilated spaces for optimal safety. **Get the Zep hardwood floor cleaner at [Amazon]() or [The Home Depot]().** ## Or, DIY Your Own Hardwood Floor Cleaner While many great hardwood floor cleaners are available on the market, making your own hardwood floor cleaner can be both economical and environmentally friendly. With just a few simple household ingredients, you can create an effective and gentle cleaner for your floor. Start by creating a diluted soap-and-water solution. Choose a gentle pH-neutral liquid soap to ensure that it is not too harsh on your floors. Mix a few drops of the soap into a gallon of warm water, creating a very mild cleaning solution. This will be sufficient to clean the floors without risking any damage. Consider adding a few drops of essential oils to your mixture to add a pleasant scent. Remember, before using any homemade cleaner, it's best to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't discolor your floor. ## [Jump to Our Top Picks](<#recap>) ## Our Verdict When it comes to cleaning and polishing hardwood floors, products like [Mop & Glo Professional Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner]() and [Orange Glo Hardwood Floor 4-in-1]() are popular. However, these products fall short of our sustainability guidelines. We don't recommend them in our top picks due to concerns about their environmental impact, harmful chemical ingredients, and potential health hazards. ## What to Consider When Choosing a Hardwood Floor Cleaner Before selecting the best cleaner for wood floors in your home, consider the type, application method, and whether you prefer a scented or unscented option. Read on for some more information and shopping considerations to consider when navigating the wide and varied range of hardwood floor cleaners. ### Ingredients Whether your wood floor cleaner contains cleaning detergents called “surfactants” or are water- and plant-based, knowing what is in today’s cleaning products helps you determine which is best for your flooring. Look for cleaners that include noncorrosive ingredients—water, weak acids (such as citric acid), or weak bases (such as sodium bicarbonate), otherwise known as surfactants. Avoid products containing strong acids or bases, such as nitric acid or sodium hydroxide, as these can strip the finish of surface-sealed floors. Also avoid hardwood floor cleaners containing oil, which can leave a sticky residue. While chemical-based options are popular, natural hardwood floor cleaners are water- and plant-based, making them safe for homes with children and pets. ### Concentration You’ll generally find hardwood floor cleaners in one of two formulations: - **Premixed hardwood floor cleaners** can be applied to the floor straight out of the bottle because they contain all the necessary ingredients premixed. They minimize overall time and effort, which makes them great for everyday or last-minute cleaning jobs. - **Floor cleaner concentrate** products contain a potent cleaning fluid that must be diluted in water prior to use. While they take more time to prepare, they let you adjust the potency (and pungency) by adding more or less water. ### Application Type Hardwood floor cleaner is usually sold in one of three types of application methods, each with their own benefits: - **Spray bottles** feature a built-in trigger that dispenses a fine mist of cleaning solution onto the floor. You then either wipe down or mop the floor, which makes this packaging option good for spot cleaning or cleaning small areas. - **Squirt bottles** dispense a small pool of cleaner onto the floor, which can then be mopped. This option is versatile enough to use on small or large floor areas. - **Refill bottles** contain larger quantities, which you can pour into either a spray bottle or the fluid cartridge of a reusable spray mop. Avoid pouring cleaner from refill bottles directly onto the floor because it’s easy to accidentally dispense more than intended—potentially causing floors to absorb the fluid and swell. This is a worthy option for larger cleaning jobs of one or more floors. ### Scented vs. Unscented For those who have children and pets that constantly dirty the floors and leave dirt behind, scented wood floor cleaning products can help to make your home smell fresh again. Most brands will include a light scent in their cleaners like lemon, floral, almond, or citrus. In the interest of variety and personal preference, some brands choose to make their hardwood floor cleaners unscented, but each option still provides ample cleaning power no matter the scent. ## FAQs Now that you’ve learned about some of the important factors to consider when choosing the best hardwood floor cleaner, questions may still remain. Additional information about choosing the best cleaner for your hardwood floors appears below. ## Author Manasa Reddigari has tackled topics ranging from computer software to home remodeling in her decade-plus career as a writer and editor. During her stint as a scribe, she's been featured by leading outlets in the real estate, home improvement, and lifestyle niches such as [Trulia](), [Stikwood](), and [Brit + Co](). Her design philosophy is, if you can dream it, you can DIY it! ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()