The 9 Top Hardwood Floor Cleaners You Need to Know About

Best Overall Hardwood Floor Cleaner

With its improved formula, quick drying time, plant-based ingredients, and excellent testing performance, the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner takes the top spot. This EPA Safer Choice-certified solution is unscented, leaves no residue, and effectively lifts dust, grime, and dirt to restore your floor's natural shine. We appreciate that it's ready to use—simply spray and mop with no need for dilution or mixing. During our tests, it removed even stubborn stains, like tomato paste and crayons, on the first try. 

This expert-recommended choice is designed for unwaxed, unoiled, and polyurethane-finished wood floors, so you may need additional cleaning products for other types of flooring in your home. That said, we love that this cleaner boasts a pH-neutral formula that’s free of parabens, ammonia, phosphates, and phthalates. It’s perfect for maintaining your floor's finish and protecting it from discoloration. 

Form: Spray | Size: 32 ounces

Best Budget-Friendly Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Fabuloso Lavender Multipurpose Cleaner is recognized for its strong cleaning power and slightly floral, yet industrial scent. We consider it the best value hardwood floor cleaner, particularly when bought in the 128-ounce bottle, which makes a staggering 64 gallons of solution, enough to last you over a year. This cleaner is versatile, working on wood, porcelain, linoleum, and other hard surfaces. In testing, we found that it dried quickly (within two minutes) without leaving any sticky residue, and it did a fantastic job removing stains like dirt and soda. 

Despite its potent scent, this cleaner is highly effective, multipurpose, and very reasonably priced when compared to other options. We even experimented by slightly altering the dilution instructions to tone down the fragrance and still found that it worked excellently on various surfaces. 

Form: Liquid concentrate | Size: 128 ounces

Best Eco-Friendly Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Many cleaning products, including floor cleaners, contain harsh chemicals. If you're looking for an eco-friendly alternative that still gets the job done, we recommend the Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate. We loved its light, refreshing lemon chamomile fragrance and its ability to clean dirt spots easily, leaving no sticky residue behind. Like most cleaning concentrates, you’ll need to mix it with water, adding an extra step to your routine. However, we appreciate that it's safe for multiple surfaces, including hardwood floors, kitchen counters, and bathroom areas. 

While this floor cleaner was effective on dirt during our tests, it needed extra soaking and scrubbing for tougher stains like tomato paste. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty cleaner, this might not be the best choice. However, for light to moderate cleaning, especially if you prefer an eco-friendly option, this is an excellent pick. 

Form: Liquid concentrate | Size: 23.1 ounces

Top Hardwood Floor Cleaner Concentrate

Floor cleaner concentrates are a smart choice for making your cleaning solution last longer, and the Pallmann Hardwood Floor Cleaner Concentrate performed particularly well in our tests. We appreciate its versatility for use on different hard surfaces, its fresh lemon scent, and the fact that one gallon of this concentrate can be mixed into 8 gallons of cleaning solution. During testing, it cleaned stains effectively, although the results varied depending on the type of stain. For example, while tomato paste was mostly removed, a slight red tint remained after wiping with a paper towel.

It’s worth mentioning that this concentrate comes at a higher price compared to other options. However, if you’re looking for a formula with powerful cleaning capabilities, versatility, and a mild citrus scent, it could be the right choice for you.

Form: Liquid concentrate | Size: 1 gallon

Top Multi-Surface Hardwood Floor Cleaner

If you’re tired of managing multiple cleaning products for different surfaces, Pine-Sol All Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner is your solution. We loved how it performed on hardwood floors and other non-porous surfaces like kitchen countertops, bathroom tiles, and stovetops. It quickly wiped away dirt, soda stains, and crayon marks without leaving any sticky residue. Plus, it made the floors shine beautifully, all while emitting a gentle citrus fragrance.

Because this cleaner needs to be diluted, you’ll need to calculate the right amount based on your floor’s surface area, so it’s not the most instant or convenient option. Still, its value, versatility, and cleaning power make it well worth the effort.

Form: Liquid | Size: 24 ounces

Best Quick-Drying Hardwood Floor Cleaner

If you're tired of avoiding damp spots on your hardwood floors after cleaning, Quick Shine Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner is the solution. It dries in under two minutes, is made with plant-based ingredients, is EPA Safer Choice-certified, and has a refreshing citrus scent. No dilution is needed. During our tests, it was easy to apply and efficiently removed light stains, though some scrubbing was necessary.

While this is an excellent choice for cleaning hardwood, laminate, and tile, it does leave a bit of residue on grout, so you might need additional products for tile cleaning. Additionally, the nozzle only offers a mist setting, which slightly delayed our cleaning process. Despite this, we still believe this floor cleaner is the best option for a fast-drying clean.

Form: Spray | Size: 24 ounces

Best Hardwood Floor Cleaner for Shine

If you're looking to restore shine and cleanliness to your floors, we suggest trying Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner. Its ability to tackle everything from dirt marks to crayon stains stood out during testing. Most importantly, it left a visible shine on our floors. This all-in-one cleaner works across various floor types, including laminate, vinyl, tile, and other sealed surfaces.

Unlike many other cleaners with added fragrances, this spray comes pre-mixed and doesn't require dilution. While this can be convenient, the scent may be too strong for those with sensitivities. If you don’t mind the intense fragrance and want gleaming floors, this product is a great choice to add to your cleaning routine.

Form: Spray | Size: 24 fl. oz.

Best Oil-Based Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Oil-based cleaners for hardwood floors can be divisive due to the potential for leaving residue. However, Murphy Oil Soap provides a great solution by effectively cleaning your hardwood while leaving a smooth, shiny finish—without any unwanted residue. Additionally, it's versatile enough for cleaning wood furniture, including cabinets and tables, and can handle tough stains like dirt, soda, and tomato paste. We also appreciate that it's made mostly from natural ingredients and has a mild, fresh citronella fragrance.

Remember, this concentrated formula needs to be diluted before use, which adds an extra step to your cleaning routine. Its thick consistency can make it somewhat messy to work with. Additionally, it comes at a higher price point compared to other options, but for those who prefer oil-based hardwood floor cleaners, it's definitely the top choice.

Form: Oil | Size: 16 ounces

Best Fragrant Hardwood Floor Cleaner

After cleaning your hardwood floors, a light and fresh scent can make you feel like you’ve accomplished a job well done. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate offers a range of scents such as cool basil, floral lavender, and limited edition fragrances like mint and lilac. Our top choice is the invigorating lemon verbena, which fills your space with the scent of a blooming garden. Besides its pleasing fragrance, it effectively tackled mud and soda stains during testing without leaving behind any residue. However, for stubborn stains like tomato paste, it required extra effort and repeated applications.

While the cleaner’s cleaning power might not fully justify its higher price, it still provides good value due to its versatility, as it works on all non-porous surfaces around your home.

Form: Spray | Size: 16 ounces

Final Verdict

Our top choice is the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, as it features a professional-grade formula that dries quickly while preserving your floor's shine. For those seeking a more affordable alternative and don't mind a stronger fragrance, we suggest the Fabuloso Lavender Purple Liquid Multipurpose Cleaner.

Our Testing Process 

To determine the best hardwood floor cleaners, we tested 20 different products in our lab. The first step involved applying stains such as tomato paste, red crayon, dark soda, and dirt to a hardwood floor, allowing them to sit for an hour.

Next, we followed the instructions on the cleaning solutions, ensuring we used the correct dilution ratio for products that required it. After the stains had set, we applied the cleaner and used a microfiber cloth to wipe away the mess. We used fresh microfiber cloths for each stain to ensure a fair evaluation of each product's performance. For tougher stains, we switched to a sponge for more scrubbing power.

During cleaning, we evaluated how quickly the stains were removed, the scent of the cleaner, and how long it lingered. After finishing, we set a timer for 2 minutes, then touched the surface of the cleaned area to assess dryness and check for any stickiness or greasiness. Finally, we wiped each area with a dry paper towel and checked for any leftover residue from the cleaner or stains.

Following this initial cleaning process, we repeated the same steps using Dawn dish soap as a benchmark for comparison. We then rated each product based on its effectiveness, ease of use, scent, and value.

Expert Guide to Choosing Hardwood Floor Cleaners

Category

Hardwood floor cleaners come in different forms and tools. Cohoon suggests using a spray cleaner or squirt-and-mop solution for smaller spaces, while opting for wood soap or concentrated formulas for larger areas.

• Liquid: The majority of hardwood floor cleaners are ready-to-use liquids, typically found in spray bottles. Simply pour or spray the recommended amount onto your floor, then mop it up. This is the easiest and most convenient method.
• Concentrate: Concentrates need to be diluted with water following the product instructions. While this requires an extra step, a large bottle can last several months or longer.
• Oil: Oil-based cleaners may leave residue, but they can enhance shine and provide a protective layer for your hardwood floors. They are also generally safe for other wood furniture.
• Cream: Cream cleaners are primarily used for polishing hardwood floors rather than cleaning tough stains or dirt. To apply, use a microfiber cloth for a smooth finish.
• Vacuums: If your vacuum does not feature a hardwood setting, both Cohoon and Kou recommend using a vacuum that is suitable for hardwood floors to avoid damage. Wet-dry vacuums (or shop vacs) work well on both carpets and hardwood. Many robot vacuums are also compatible with hardwood floors.
• Mops: There are several types of mops to choose from, such as spin mops and spray mops, for cleaning your hardwood floors. Kou advises using a microfiber mop head that is gentle on your floor while being effective at cleaning stains. He cautions against steam or spin mops, as these can hold excessive water and potentially damage hardwood floors.

Method of Application

The way you apply your cleaner depends on the type you choose. For concentrated cleaners, dilution is required before spraying it on your floor, while squirt-and-mop solutions are ready to use right away. Regardless of the product, Cohoon emphasizes the importance of cleaning any dust and dirt off your hardwood before applying the cleaner.

"Vacuum or sweep the floor to avoid scratches or nicks," she advises. "Wipe down the surface with a soft, dry cloth, avoiding excess moisture. Also, make sure to change your cleaning solution regularly to prevent cleaning with dirty water."

Kou suggests cleaning your floors by sweeping or dusting them daily or several times a week and promptly cleaning up spills—especially those that might stain, like coffee or wine. When it comes to mopping, it depends on the amount of foot traffic and whether you have pets, but generally mopping once a week is a good guideline.

Cleaning Solution

Maintaining hardwood floors requires regular care, so selecting a cleaner with both safe and effective ingredients is crucial. Cohoon advises against using products with harsh ingredients (especially those meant for other surfaces) as they can cause damage and irritation to the floors.

"To maintain the floor’s finish, avoid using bleach or any cleaning products that contain bleach or brighteners," Cohoon advises. "It's also important to stay away from abrasive cleaners and chemicals like ammonia, as they can harm wood floors with their intense strength."

If you plan on using an all-purpose cleaner for various surfaces, always perform a spot test in an inconspicuous area first.

Other Hardwood Floor Cleaners Worth Considering

Mr. Clean Finished Floor Cleaner: We appreciated the fresh lemon fragrance and its ability to handle light stains on both tile and hardwood surfaces. However, it wasn’t as effective with tougher stains, requiring additional scrubbing, hand effort, and the extra step of dilution. Despite this, it was still effective on lighter stains, and the pleasant scent was a welcome bonus.

Black Diamond Floor Cleaner: This eco-friendly cleaner is ideal for homes with both laminate and hardwood floors. It boasts a light, pleasant fragrance, leaves no sticky residue, and effectively tackles most stains. However, it does come at a higher price point compared to similar alternatives.

Common Questions

How can I effectively clean and polish my hardwood floors?

The most effective way to clean and shine your hardwood floors is by using a cleaner specifically designed for the job. These cleaners are crafted to tackle stains, preserve the wood, and provide a brilliant shine. The method you use should follow the instructions on the cleaner's label. To avoid warping or waxy build-up, be cautious not to use too much solution.

While there are many trustworthy and efficient hardwood floor cleaners on the market, a simple DIY solution made with common household items can also do the job, albeit with a little extra elbow grease. Cohoon recommends a simple mixture of water and vinegar, which not only freshens and cleans but is also easy to prepare and budget-friendly.

How often should you clean hardwood floors?

There’s no set schedule for cleaning hardwood floors, but Cohoon advises factoring in elements like foot traffic and how frequently you polish or wax your floors.

“How often you mop really depends on the level of foot traffic,” says Cohoon. “For example, a mudroom where everyone kicks off their shoes and pets track dirt from outside will need more frequent mopping than a guest bedroom with hardwood floors that’s rarely used. A solid guideline is to mop at least every two weeks. For a high-gloss finish, a gentle wood wax can be applied annually.”

Can you use hardwood floor cleaners on engineered hardwood and laminate floors?

While hardwood floor cleaners are formulated to gently clean and condition your wood floors without causing harm, they aren’t powerful enough to deep clean engineered or laminate floors, according to Cohoon. She recommends selecting cleaners that are specifically made for the type of flooring in your home to ensure a brilliant, glossy finish.

If you're looking for a cleaner that can be used on both hardwood and laminate floors, multi-surface options like the Pine-Sol All Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner are safe for use on both types of surfaces.

What cleaning products should you avoid on hardwood floors?

Although you may believe many cleaning products, famous for their power, can be used on any surface in your home, special care should be taken when selecting ingredients for cleaning your hardwood floors to keep their quality intact. Kou explains that some ingredients, like vinegar, are great for cutting grease and neutralizing odors, but they can dull your floors if not properly diluted.

“There are certain products and ingredients that should never touch your hardwood floor,” says Kou. “Be sure to read the label. If a cleaner contains ammonia, peroxide, or bleach, it’s best to avoid it.”

Kou also advises against the use of steam mops on hardwood floors, as the excessive moisture can cause warping. Additionally, abrasive scrubbing tools and certain vacuums could scratch the surface of the floors.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Mytour, who has three years of experience covering lifestyle topics and product reviews. In compiling this list, she dedicated hours to researching and comparing hardwood floor cleaners based on their formula, application method, effectiveness, and type. She also gathered shopping advice for hardwood floor cleaners from Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids & A Mop, and Josh Kou, operations manager at North Castle Hardwoods.