The 9 Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners of 2024

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner because it’s an expert-approved formula that dries quickly and maintains your floor’s finish. If you want a budget option and don’t mind a strong scent, we recommend the Fabuloso Lavender Purple Liquid Multipurpose Cleaner.

Our Testing Process 

To find the best hardwood floor cleaners, we tested 20 formulas in our lab. To begin, we applied tomato paste, red crayon, dark soda, and dirt to the hardwood floor and let it sit for one hour. 

Next, we read the cleaning solution’s instructions for proper use. For products that required dilution, we followed their recommended ratio of water to formula. Once the stains had fully set, we applied the solution and used a microfiber cloth to wipe it up. We used a new microfiber cloth for each stain to ensure that we could fairly assess how well the solution performed. If we needed more scrubbing power, we switched to a sponge. 

While cleaning, we considered how easily the stains dissipated, the scent, and whether it lingered. After our cleaning process was complete, we set a timer for 2 minutes, then touched the surface of the most recent stain we cleaned to see how dry the area was and if the surface felt sticky or greasy. Then, we wiped each area with a dry paper towel and inspected it for any residue from the cleaner or staining agents. 

After this initial cleaning process, we repeated these steps while using Dawn dish soap as a comparison. Finally, we reviewed and rated each product on categories including effectiveness, ease of use, scent, and value.

How to Shop for Hardwood Floor Cleaners Like a Pro

Type

Hardwood floor cleaners come in various forms and tools. Cohoon recommends a cleaning spray or squirt-and-mop cleaner for small areas and wood soap or concentrates for large areas. 

• Liquid: Most hardwood floor cleaners are pre-mixed liquid, usually in a spray bottle. You can pour or spray the recommended amount of liquid directly onto your floors and mop over it, making this the most convenient option. 
• Concentrate: Cleaning concentrates are diluted with water based on each product's instructions. While this adds an extra step to cleaning, a large bottle can last several months or longer.
• Oil: Although oils can be hit or miss due to their risk of residue, they can add shine and a protective layer to your hardwood floors. Oil cleaners are versatile and often safe for other wood furniture.
• Cream: Cream cleaners are typically meant for polishing your hardwood floors and are not necessarily for cleaning stains and grime. Use a microfiber towel with cream products for a smooth application. 
• Vacuums: Unless your vacuum has a hardwood setting, both Cohoon and Kou suggest investing in a vacuum compatible with your floor type to avoid irreversible damage. Shop vacs, or wet-dry vacuums, work on surfaces including carpets and hardwood floors. Many robot vacuums also work on hardwood floors. 
• Mops: From spin mops to spray mops, you can also choose a tool for cleaning your hardwood floors. Kou recommends a mop with a microfiber head that’s gentle on your floors and effective at wiping up stains. He warns against steam and spin mops, which usually carry a lot of water and can damage hardwood floors.

Application Style

Your application style depends on your preferred hardwood floor cleaner. For example, a concentrated cleaner will require dilution before you 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 cleaner. 

“Vacuum or sweep away any debris 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.”

Kou recommends sweeping or dusting your floors daily or multiple times weekly and wiping up spills immediately, especially if they tend to stain—like coffee and wine. As for how often to mop your hardwood floors, this depends on foot traffic level and pets, but mopping at least once a week is a good rule of thumb.

Formula

Hardwood floors require plenty of maintenance, so choosing a cleaner with safe yet effective ingredients is imperative. Cohoon suggests avoiding 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 for several types of surfaces, do a spot test in an inconspicuous area first.

More Hardwood Floor Cleaners to Consider

Mr. Clean Finished Floor Cleaner: We liked this cleaner's clean lemon scent and ability to remove light stains on tile and hardwood floors. However, it wasn't the most effective on heavy-duty stains, as it requires extra effort, hand scrubbing, and the added step of dilution. Still, it was effective on light stains, and we appreciated its refreshing fragrance.

Black Diamond Floor Cleaner: If you have a mix of laminate and hardwood floors in your home, this biodegradable cleaner does the trick on multiple surfaces. It has a subtle scent, leaves no residue, and removes most stains. However, it’s priced higher than comparable products.

Questions You Might Ask

What is the best way to clean and shine hardwood floors?

The best way to clean and shine your hardwood floors is with the help of a hardwood floor cleaner, which is formulated to clean stains, protect your floors, and create shine. Your method of use should depend on the type of cleaner and label instructions. To get the most thorough clean, avoid using more solution than needed to prevent warping or waxy buildup. 

And while there are plenty of safe and effective hardwood floor cleaners, a simple DIY solution using household ingredients can also 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.

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 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 sparkling, high-shine finish. 

However, if you want a cleaner that works on hardwood and laminate floors, multi-surface products like the Pine-Sol All Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner are safe for both surface types.

What products should you not use on a hardwood floor?

While you may think several cleaning agents, although revered for their effectiveness, can be used on any surface in your home. When it comes to your hardwood floors, however, you should be extra careful when choosing the ingredients to clean them thoroughly and maintain their quality. According to Kou, some ingredients, such as vinegar, are effective at cutting down grease and eliminating odors but can dull your floors if they aren’t diluted properly.

“Several products and product ingredients should never come into contact with your hardwood floor,” he says. “Always check the label. If the cleaning product contains ammonia, peroxide, or bleach, it’s a no from me.”

Additionally, Kou advises against steam mops on hardwood floors since excess moisture can warp the wood, along with abrasive scrubbing tools and certain vacuums that can scratch the floors.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Real Simple with 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; and Josh Kou, operations manager at North Castle Hardwoods.