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7 Best Hardwood Floor Cleaning Solutions of 2024

Updated
Shiny hardwood floors don’t have to be a far-fetched dream.

Damaged hardwood floors are a tragedy that no homeowner should ever have to deal with.

So how do you make sure that you’re cleaning your hardwood floors appropriately? If you’re using water or generic detergents, you could be contributing to the problem.

We found the seven best hardwood floor cleaning solutions so that you don’t have to worry. Our quick and easy guide will show you how to restore your floors to their pristine condition and keep them that way.

Our Top Picks

We independently assess, research, and evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Best for Sealed Wood: Method Squirt + Mop Cleaner
  • Cruelty-free and plant-based
  • Non-toxic
  • Good for laminate flooring
Best for All Surfaces: Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface
  • Multi-purpose for hard surfaces
  • Kills bacteria and viruses
  • Deodorizes
Best for Unwaxed Floors: Bona Hardwood Floor Spray
  • Water-based
  • Certified green alternative to harsh substances
  • Quick drying
Best for Allergies: Bona Free & Simple Cleaner
  • Removes more than 93.3% of allergens
  • Great for all unwaxed wood floors
  • Free of dyes and scents
Best Child-Friendly: Babyganics Cleaner
  • Dermatologists & pediatrician-approved formula
  • No harsh chemicals
  • Multi-purpose
Best for Waxed Floors: Pledge Gentle Cleaner
  • Preserves natural sheen of wood
  • Pleasant and refreshing scent
  • Ready to use
Best for Shine: Orange Glo Hardwood Spray
  • Value for money
  • Convenient spray bottle
  • Excellent for daily use


Product Reviews

Let your floors sparkle and shine with these seven cleaners.

Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner

Best Cleaning Solution for Sealed Wood Floors

This product is a favorite for hardwood floors because it’s suitable for sealed wood.

It’s particularly popular because it is plant-based and environmentally friendly. Each of its components is non-toxic and biodegradable.

All you have to do is squirt some onto your floor and mop it up. There’s no need to rinse or pre-treat your floors, so this saves you time and effort.

An added benefit is the convenient packaging so that you can use it as a spray bottle.

Pros

  • Environmentally friendly — plant-based and cruelty-free.
  • Non-toxic since it doesn’t have harmful additives.
  • Good for laminate, wood, vinyl, tile, and linoleum flooring.
  • If you like almond scents, then this product is for you.
  • Easy to apply. Simply squirt and mop it up. No rinsing is required.

Cons

  • Some customers experienced white residue or haze after cleaning.
  • If you have dark floors, the haze it leaves behind is very obvious.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? No
Suitable for wax? Yes
Fragrance Almond
Features Plant-based, cruelty-free, 100 percent recycled plastic packaging
Volume 25 ounces

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4 / 5
Safety
4.5 / 5
Eco-friendliness
5 / 5
Cost
4 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Lysol Clean and Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner

Best Floor Cleaning Solution for All Surfaces

We recommend this product if you’re a multi-tasker. You can use it to clean all of your hard surfaces, from tiles and wood floors to kitchen countertops.

On top of this, you can simply apply it directly to stains or dilute it in water for easier mopping.

It’s antibacterial and antiviral, killing almost 100 percent of germs, even when diluted. It works on grease and grime and removes odors too.

Pros

  • Multi-purpose for hard surfaces, stubborn grit, grime, and grease.
  • Cleans and sanitizes by killing bacteria and viruses.
  • Deodorizes for a pleasant, fresher environment.
  • One 40-ounce bottle makes 14 gallons of cleaner when diluted.
  • Leaves behind a long-lasting fresh lemon scent.

Cons

  • Some customers found their bottles leaked or didn’t have a safety seal.
  • The smell isn’t as strong as some people would like.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? Yes
Suitable for wax? No
Fragrance Lemon and sunflower
Features Sanitizes, deodorizes, suitable for all hard surfaces
Volume 40 ounces (pack of 3)

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4.5 / 5
Safety
4 / 5
Eco-friendliness
3 / 5
Cost
4.5 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray

Best Cleaning Solution for Unwaxed Hardwood Floors

Here’s a hassle-free cleaner for you. It’s water-based, residue-free, and comes in a handy spray bottle for your convenience. Just spritz some onto your floors and then mop; there’s no need to mix, dilute or pre-treat with this cleaner.

This is best suited for all unwaxed wood floors.

We love that this product is certified and produces very few chemical emissions. As a result, it’s safe around pets and children and is deemed environmentally friendly.

Pros

  • Water-based, so it won’t leave a residue on your finished wood floors.
  • Certified as a green alternative to harsh substances and emits little gaseous chemical pollution.
  • Consider this product if you have allergies or sensitivities (1).
  • Comes in a handy spray bottle, making it ready-to-use.
  • Formula is designed to remove dust, dirt, grime, and grease.
  • It dries fast, so you don’t have to wait ages to go back into the room.

Cons

  • While it is effective at cleaning, you won’t be able to polish your floors with this one.
  • Customers found the spray bottle was flimsy and hard to use.
  • It can be difficult to spread it around evenly with your mop.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? No
Suitable for wax? No
Fragrance Unscented or cedar wood
Features Water-based, low VOC emission, ready-to-use spray
Volume 32 ounces

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4.5 / 5
Safety
4.5 / 5
Eco-friendliness
4.5 / 5
Cost
4 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Bona Free and Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Best Hardwood Floor Cleaning Solution for Allergies

This cleaner stands out because its gentle formula is hypo-allergenic. It removes more than 93 percent of allergens and is free of toxic dyes and harsh odors.

Further, and as expected from Bona, it’s water-based. This means it dries fast, leaves no residue behind, and is safer for pets and kids.

You can use this on all unwaxed hardwood floors. Just spray it on and mop it up. It’s safe for the environment because it leaves a small chemical footprint, just like with our previous Bona selection.

Pros

  • Removes more than 93.3 percent of allergens and is free of unnecessary chemical additives.
  • Suitable for use on all unwaxed wood floors.
  • No mixing or diluting and is packaged in a handy spray bottle.
  • Hypoallergenic formula is kinder on people with allergies.
  • Dries fast, which is great for kids and pets to get back to playing.

Cons

  • May leave a slight residue.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? No
Suitable for wax? No
Fragrance None
Features Water-based, low VOC emissions, spray bottle, hypo-allergenic, dye-free, scent-free
Volume 36 ounces

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4 / 5
Safety
4.5 / 5
Eco-friendliness
4.5 / 5
Cost
4 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Babyganics Multi Surface Cleaner

Best Child-Friendly Hardwood Floor Cleaning Solution

How about a cleaner that’s specially formulated to be child-friendly? Our kids are playing on the floor all day long, so it’s important we choose something that’s got them in mind.

This product from Babyganics is free from all harsh chemicals and fragrances.

It’s a multi-surface cleaner that you can use on vinyl, tiles, glass, stainless steel, granite, porcelain, or even walls and cabinets. What’s more, it’s plant-based and fragrance-free.

Pros

  • Babyganics boasts that pediatricians and dermatologists approve of this formula.
  • No harsh or toxic chemicals added to this cleaner.
  • It cleans the floor, glass, and appliances, all with safe formula.
  • Comes in a handy spray bottle, so it’s ready to use.
  • This product isn’t tested on animals.
  • Customers loved that it removed stubborn stains.

Cons

  • More expensive than other products.
  • The bottle tends to leak, which is inconvenient and messy.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? Yes
Suitable for wax? Not specified
Fragrance None
Features Plant-based, glass and electronic cleaner compatible, scent-free,
Volume 32 ounces (pack of 3)

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4 / 5
Safety
5 / 5
Eco-friendliness
5 / 5
Cost
3.5 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Pledge Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner

Best Hardwood Cleaning Solution for Waxed Floors

If you have waxed wood floors, Pledge has a product for you. This cleaner won’t leave streaks or residue and is intended for sealed, finished surfaces.

As a solution that’s ready to use, there’s no extra hassle needed. Just squirt some onto your floors, and mop it up. Apply it directly to stains for extra power.

It’s designed to preserve your hardwood floor’s shine and freshen your home with a pleasant lemon scent. Pledge is a customer favorite, and it’s no surprise this product is so popular.

Pros

  • Preserves the natural sheen of your finished and sealed wood.
  • Apply it directly to your floors before you mop.
  • The lemon scent of this product is pleasant and refreshing.
  • Removes dirt and grime without leaving behind a residue.
  • Fantastic at reviving floors that have started to look dull.

Cons

  • A highly effective cleaner, but does contain some toxic components.
  • Customers wish it left a more glossy shine.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? No
Suitable for wax? Yes
Fragrance Lemon
Features Ready to use, residue and streak-free
Volume 27 ounces (pack of 3)

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4 / 5
Safety
3.5 / 5
Eco-friendliness
3 / 5
Cost
4.5 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

Orange Glo Hardwood Everyday Cleaner Spray

Best Cleaning Solution for A Shiny Hardwood Floor

This cleaner is engineered to strip away dirt, oil, and stains without affecting the sheen of your finished floors.

The formula is gentle enough for daily use and comes ready to use in a handy spray bottle.

It won’t leave any streaks or residue and doesn’t leave a glossy film on your floors. We recommend it if you’re looking to preserve your floor’s shine and condition.

Pros

  • This formula attacks dirt while maintaining your floor’s finish.
  • Convenient spray bottle saves time and is hassle-free.
  • Excellent for daily use without wearing down your floors.
  • Dries fast so you can get back to the room as soon as possible.
  • It won’t dull down your floor even if you use it daily.

Cons

  • Some buyers report faulty packaging.

Product Specs

Multi-purpose? No
Suitable for wax? Yes
Fragrance Orange
Features Ready to use, suitable for everyday use, residue, and streak-free
Volume 22 ounces (pack of 2)

Our Ratings

Effectiveness
4 / 5
Safety
4 / 5
Eco-friendliness
3.5 / 5
Cost
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

Product Comparison Chart

Product Best Multi-purpose? Suitable for wax? Fragrance Volume
Method Squirt + Mop Cleaner For Wood Floors No Yes Almond 25 ounces
Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface For All Surfaces Yes No Lemon and sunflower 40 ounces (pack of 3)
Bona Hardwood Floor Spray For Unwaxed Floors No No Original 32 ounces
Bona Free & Simple Cleaner For Allergies No No None 36 ounces
Babyganics Cleaner Child-Friendly Yes Yes None 32 ounces (pack of 3)
Pledge Gentle Cleaner For Waxed Floors No Yes Lemon 27 ounces (pack of 3)
Orange Glo Hardwood Spray For Shine No Yes Orange 22 ounces (pack of 2)

Why Buy Hardwood Floor Cleaning Solutions?

Here’s the thing about hardwood floors: they accumulate a lot of dirt. Even if your floors look clean, there’s a good chance they’re harboring unseen germs. One study found that in high traffic areas, bacterial recontamination of hardwood floors occurred within an hour of deep cleaning (2).

How is that possible? Well, to put it simply, life happens. Your shoes and pets track dirt over your floors every time you walk on them.

Hardwood floor cleaners can help with this mess.

Consider these important features:

They Disinfect Your Floors

Most hardwood floor cleaning solutions will combat tough dirt and grime to kill germs and bacteria.

Water Doesn’t Cut It

Water isn’t anti-bacterial unless it’s at a searing 212 degrees Fahrenheit — so hot it will ruin your wood floors. Cleaning solutions, in comparison, work on dirt and germs. And, they still preserve the condition of your hardwood floor, no matter its style or material.

Detergents Cause Damage

Generic detergents aren’t made for floors. They could ruin or dull your wood. Many people use dish soap as an alternative to cleaning solutions, but we don’t recommend it. Dish soap and other detergents leave residue or trails that are tricky to remove.

They’re Affordable

A good cleaning solution can save you money and last a long time. You can easily find them in your department or hardware store. This is a cost-effective method of floor cleaning.

Your Floors Will Shine

Hardwood floor cleaners can polish, too. If your floors are dull from wear and tear, buying a good cleaner could restore their shine.

Quick Tip

To preserve the condition of your hardwood floor, leave your shoes at the door. If possible, stop your pets from walking over them for an even greater effect.

Things to Consider

Picking a hardwood floor cleaner is easy, but you don’t want to settle for the first one you find. Make sure you’re investing in a good product that will work for you by keeping the following in mind:

Wax is Special

Not all cleaners are appropriate for wax-coated floors. These cleaners might break down and ruin your floor’s protective layer, which does more harm than good (3). So, read the labels, and make sure the cleaners suit your floors to avoid this mistake.

Disinfectants Are Better

If possible, buy a cleaning solution that will disinfect your floor. This way, your floors will look good, and your home environment will be healthier. This is necessary if you’re looking to deep clean.

Review the Ingredients

If you have allergies or sensitivities, check out the components of your cleaner. Remember that they often contain strong chemicals. Generally, these are safe when used properly, but take care as some people are still sensitive to such ingredients.

Be Aware

Some people use vinegar to clean their hardwood floors, but this can cause further damage. Vinegar can disinfect your floor, but it’s highly acidic and may deteriorate the integrity of wood and wax. It might also leave an unsightly residue that’s difficult to remove. (4)

FAQs

How Can I Make My Wood Floors Look New Again?

The best way to make your wood floors look new again is to clean them like you mean it. Vacuum or sweep away surface dust and then use a flat mop like this Mr. Siga Microfiber Mop to remove ground-in dirt.

Finally, use floor wax to restore the shine. This Daddy Van’s All-Natural Beeswax is a favorite because it polishes and restores natural wood grain.

What Will Ruin Hardwood Floors?

Many things will ruin hardwood floors, including furniture, high heels, pet claws, over mopping, leaving water to pool, using the wrong detergents like bleach, and not sweeping regularly. Dust and dirt are abrasive, so it scars your floor when walked upon.

Can You Use Pine-Sol on Hardwood Floors?

You can use Pine-Sol on hardwood floors, provided you dilute it correctly. The manufacturer recommends 1/4 of a cup of Pine-Sol in one gallon of water.

Is Murphy’s Oil Soap Good for Hardwood Floors?

Murphy’s Oil Soap is good for hardwood floors, provided the floor is sealed and finished. If not, it could damage the floor and cause the boards to warp. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on dilution and different floor types.


No More Hard Times

Cleaning your hardwood floors is effortless if you choose the right cleaner. It’s essential to choose the best hardwood floor cleaning solutions based on your floor finish. This is the best chance to get your flooring restored to its best condition, as well as sanitized and spotless.

Out of our seven guesses, we’re sure one of them has caught your eye. Whether you need something for shiny floors, something hypoallergenic, or multi-surface, we’ve brought you seven excellent options.

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About the Author

Amy Anthony

Amy Anthony is a cleaning expert, author, and contributing writer for Oh So Spotless, a leading online resource for all things related to cleaning, organizing, and maintaining a spotless home. With over 15 years of experience in the cleaning industry, Amy has gained extensive knowledge and expertise that have made her a trusted authority on best practices, efficient techniques, and innovative cleaning solutions.