--- title: "How to Make Your Own Homemade Hardwood Floor Cleaner" description: "Store-bought hardwood floor cleaner is expensive. Learn how to whip up your own homemade hardwood floor cleaner, and use it properly." date: "2017-11-21" modified: "2024-09-04" authors: - name: "Ayn Monique Klahre" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/ayn-monique-klahre/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-hardwood-floor-cleaner/" categories: - "Cleaning & Organizing" - "DIY" - "Flooring" - "Interior" tags: - "How To" - "News" --- # How to Make Your Own Homemade Hardwood Floor Cleaner ![Materials needed to make homemade floor cleaner and apply it to hardwood floors, including spray bottle, mop, and castile soap.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Whether newly installed or more than a hundred years old, [hardwood floors]() are a striking feature in many homes. Wood is a naturally resilient material, and sealed with a urethane finish hardwood flooring can take even the heaviest use for many years before needing to be refinished or, in rarer cases, replaced. Yet while wood floors are on many a “must” list for their traditional elegance underfoot, they do demand more finicky care and maintenance than such materials as [laminate, vinyl, or tile](), which resist scuffs and are easier to clean. While hardwood floor cleaners abound on the market, there are several smart reasons to make your own. Some commercial products contain chemicals that can irritate the eyes, skin, or respiratory system, or be toxic if ingested. If you have young children or pets often playing on (or eating off) the floor—or you simply appreciate the health and environmental benefits of a “green” home—you may wish to avoid commercial cleaners in favor of an all-natural approach. Plus, store-bought products specifically formulated for hardwood floors can be pricey, around $7 to $20 for a 32-ounce bottle, while the homemade hardwood floor cleaner recipe here can get you nearly 200 32-ounce mixtures from a single $16, 32-ounce bottle of [castile soap](). That being said, not all natural cleaning products are appropriate for hardwood floors. Harsh acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon can strip the urethane finish, making floors appear cloudy and dull. And too-vigorous scrubbing—either with a cleaning tool or by adding an abrasive ingredient like [baking soda]() to a cleaning solution—can also damage the finish. The best homemade hardwood floor cleaner will remove dirt without harming the finish of the floors below. Our recipe relies on castile soap, an eco-conscious alternative to dish detergent or other cleansers, and a microfiber pad to clean gently. Before using the formula, sweep or vacuum flooring well to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then simply mix, mop, and admire your handsome hardwood! ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Spray bottle]() - [Pure castile soap]() - [Essential oil (optional)]() ### Step 1: Mix the cleaner. ![Woman wearing purple gloves measures castile soap into a funnel.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Mix 1 teaspoon castile soap, 4 cups water, and—if you'd like a light scent—5 to 10 drops of essential oil (peppermint, orange, or lavender are all good choices) to a spray bottle. Screw the top on tightly and shake well to mix. ### Step 2: Test the formula. ![Woman sprays hardwood floor under an area rug, and wipes with a microfiber cloth.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Before using any new cleanser on your entire floor—this one included—test it on an out-of-the-way spot, such as under a piece of furniture. Apply following the directions below and rinse, then check for any hint of damage before continuing with the rest of the floor. ### Step 3: Spray the cleaner on the wood floor. ![Woman sprays cleaner onto wood floor, a microfiber mop nearby for mopping.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Working in small areas (about 3 square feet at a time), spritz the cleaning mixture onto the floor. Be careful not to spray too much of the homemade hardwood floor cleaner at once to avoid water sitting too long on the surface. Excess moisture can penetrate the wood and [cause serious damage]() to the boards along the lines of swelling, cupping, warping, and even separating. ### Step 4: Mop the floors. ![A dry mop wrapped in a microfiber cloth is being used to clean hardwood floors.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Using back and forth motions along the grain of the wood, work in the cleaning solution with a dry [microfiber mop](), or a Swiffer-type mop wrapped in a microfiber cloth. (Avoid pre-dampened pads; there’s ample moisture in the spray). Continue working in small patches, rinsing and squeezing excess water off your mop as it becomes soiled until you’ve done the whole floor. ## Author Ayn-Monique Klahre is a writer, editor, and content director. She spent 12 years as a magazine editor at titles including [Woman's Day](), [FamilyFun](), and [Good Housekeeping]() working on stories about all things home, DIY, and lifestyle—from decorating and entertaining to home improvement and organization. In 2017, Ayn-Monique said goodbye to NYC and moved with her husband and two daughters to North Carolina. Now based in Raleigh, she advises brands and businesses on creative strategy and corporate content. She also continues to create editorial, e-commerce, and branded content for media outlets, such as [Real Simple](), [Business Insider](), [The Kitchn](), and [The New York Times](). ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()