Here’s How To Keep Hardwood Floors Clean
I never needed to know the best way to clean hardwood floors before we had hardwood floors installed in our main living area a few years ago. I had only ever had laminate flooring to worry about before that, and if you’re familiar with laminate floors, you know the best thing about them is how easy they are to clean!
Once I (finally!) got the hardwood floors of my dreams, I realized I didn’t know the first thing about how to keep hardwood floors clean! It took me a lot of trial and error to figure it out, because a lot of what I tried at first was either ineffective, too expensive, or did more harm than good!
But I hope to pass on that hard-won wisdom to you in this post. Learn how to mop wood floors, the best cleaning solution for hardwood floors, and much more below!
A Note About Finishes
This post focuses on how to clean wood floors with a polyurethane finish. This is the most common type of finish used on modern wood floors, so as long as your floors were installed within the past 10 years or so, it’s likely they have a polyurethane finish.
Older wood floors may have a waxed finish and require different cleaning and care. For more information about waxed wood floors, check out this article from Bob Vila.
How To Clean Hardwood Floors In 2 Steps
There are two important facets of keeping hardwood floors clean: dry mopping and wet mopping. Here, we’ll explore the ins and outs of each method, including how often you should do them, and which tools will help you get the job(s) done!
1. Dry Mopping
Dry mopping (or dust mopping) picks up loose dust, dirt, and debris from the surface of your floors, and it’s the bread and butter of cleaning hardwood floors. You should dry mop your floors frequently, even as often as daily depending on how dirty your floors get!
The ideal tool for dry mopping hardwood floors is a dust mop with a removable cloth or microfiber cover. Another good option it to use your vacuum’s hard floor setting, if it has one. (You can technically use a standard broom to clean hardwood floors too, but they just don’t work nearly as effectively as the other options.)
One important thing to remember about dry mopping is that while you can do it at any time, you should always do it before wet mopping. Otherwise, you run the risk of accidentally pushing dirt into your floors, instead of pulling it out!
2. Wet Mopping
The other half of the hardwood floor cleaning equation is wet mopping. Wet mopping involves using a damp mop and some sort of cleaning solution to wipe up messes that are stuck to the floor, like spills, muddy shoe prints, etc.
Because hardwood floors can be finicky, it’s important to choose both your mop and your cleaning solution carefully. It’s also important to avoid getting your floors too wet while you’re wet mopping them, because excessive moisture can cause serious damage.
Related: Avoid These 7 Steam Mop Mistakes
One way to avoid this is taking a few minutes to dry your floors after wet mopping them. Use a soft, clean towel to dry off any lingering moisture, or go over your floors again with a dry dust mop.
Which Mop Should I Use?
Here are a couple of different mops that work well for wet mopping hardwood floors:
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- Turbo Microfiber Floor Mop: This is an ideal mop for cleaning hardwood floors because you can use it dry or wet. So instead of having to switch tools halfway through cleaning your floors, you can simply switch out the microfiber mop cover for a clean one and keep cruising!
- O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop: If you prefer the traditional mop-and-bucket system, consider a set like this one that features a built-in wringer to squeeze excess water out of the mop. This will help prevent problems that can arise due to excess water seeping into hardwood floors, like bubbling and warping.
What Is The Best Cleaning Solution For Hardwood Floors?
Unfortunately, picking the right cleaning product for your hardwood floors can feel like navigating a minefield! Products like oil soaps, wax cleaners, and soap-based cleaners can leave a sticky or hazy residue behind on hardwood floors, while acidic cleaners like vinegar can eat away at your floor’s protective finish over time.
Here are a few products that are widely considered effective and safe for cleaning hardwood flooring. None of them need to be rinsed off, nor will they leave behind a film or residue:
- Method Squirt + Mop: Like other Method brand products, this hardwood floor cleaner is plant-based and biodegradable, so it’s good for the environment as well as your floors. Simply squirt it onto your floors and mop for beautifully clean floors!
- Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner: Bona is a trusted name when it comes to products that work well for hardwood floors. This is a simple and effective water-based cleaner, and it’s also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it’s safe to use in homes with kids and pets.
- Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner: This floor cleaner from Zep is a good option for cleaning dirt-laden and discolored floors, as it packs an extra strong punch on spots, stains, and scuff marks.
Related: The Best DIY Mopping Solution For Shiny Wood Floors
How To Remove Hazy Residue From Hardwood Floors
If your hardwood floors are already plagued by a buildup of hazy residue, a standard routine of dry mopping and wet mopping won’t do you much good. You’ll need to remove the residue first, but afterward, you’ll find it much easier to clean your floors (and keep them clean too!)
To do it, you’ll need ammonia-free glass cleaner, a non-scratch scrubber, and a few microfiber cloths. Start by spraying a section of the floor with the glass cleaner, then let it sit for a minute. Scrub the area to cut through the loosened buildup, then wipe with a microfiber cloth to remove the grime and cleaner.
Continue the process of spraying, scrubbing, and wiping until your hardwood floor is clean and residue free. (It’s not a quick process by any means, but I can tell you from experience that it is extremely effective!)
Related: How to Remove Hazy Residue From Hardwood Floors
How To Protect And Maintain Hardwood Floors: 3 Tips
Dry mopping and wet mopping will keep your floors clean, but they aren’t the only things you can do to care for your wood floors. The three tips below are simple things you can do every day to help keep your hardwood floors looking great for years to come!
Tip #1: Take Your Shoes Off
Instituting a “no shoes in the house” rule is the best way to keep wood floors clean. Because when you walk on a wood floor with dirty shoes, the particles of dirt on your shoes are rubbing abrasively against the floor.
As surprising as it sounds, those abrasive dirt particles can actually ruin your wood floors over time! Place door mats both outside and inside your home’s exterior doors to help prevent dirt from getting tracked inside, and provide a rack or tray where people can store their dirty shoes.
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Tip #2: Don’t Ignore Spills
Don’t ignore wet or sticky spills on your wood floors. Not only is it easier to clean up a fresh mess than an old one, but you’ll have a better chance of avoiding secondary problems like moisture damage and stains.
When you drop an ice cube or see a glob of jelly slide off your spoon, take a few seconds to clean it up right away.
Tip #3: Repair Scratches
Eventually, your wood floors are going to show signs of wear, including scratches (especially if your kids have dogs that aren’t particularly coordinated on slick surfaces!) ;-)
It’s a good idea to address and repair scratches as soon as you notice them, even if they aren’t very deep. Otherwise, they’ll collect dirt and grime and wind up even more noticeable than they were originally!
Here’s an easy way to “repair” a scratch in your hardwood floors:
- Find a crayon that matches the color of your floor.
- Rub it on the scratch to fill in the gap.
- Turn your blow dryer on high and use it to heat up the wax.
- Buff the area with a soft, clean cloth.
As long as you give your hardwood floors the proper cleaning and care they deserve, they’ll continue to look great and serve you well for years to come!
What’s your best cleaning tip for hardwood floors?
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Please log in or create a free account to comment.Per your recommendation, I purchased the O’Cedar mop. OMG! This is the best item I’ve purchased in a long time. It’s like a salad spinner for your mop. My floor dries so quickly and I don’t have to touch the water. Absolutely love.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So glad you love it, Tamara! I couldn’t live without mine!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Rubber Broom and vacuum not bad for cleaning hardwood floor. Why didn’t you mention about hardwood floor i don’t know and i use vacuum to keep clean my hardwood floor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.https://idealchoose.com/best-vacuum-for-pet-hair-and-hardwood-floors/
another easy way to fix scratched is rubbing a walnut over them. The oil nourishes the wood and the color subtle. Thank you for the tea-tip
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What flavor the tea?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you very much for sharing this tips. I appreciate it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Simple but very effective tips for wooden floor care. Hardwood floors are very expensive. Proper care must be done not only to save their value but also to ensure the safety of the environment using safe cleaning products.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for
Please log in or create a free account to comment.cleaning hardwood floors
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I usually use Vacuum cleaner with steam mop to clean the floor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.First I use the vacuum to remove all dust and small rubbish then use steam mop uses to kill bacteria.
Because my son was younger, he often lies on the floor so steam mop is really helpful.
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I have Anderson hand scrapped hickory hardwood flooring. I only use Clear Green hardwood cleaner. That is what Anderson recommends for their floors. It is also good for laminate. You can purchase it online. No streaks, just leaves the floors clean.
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I would like to say that three steps are really helpful in keeping clean the hardwood floor. Every home owner can use these steps.
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Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are the Uighurs, Han Chinese or Retro Jordans for cheap being forced to clean hardwood floors?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My hardwood foyer is not a “sealed” hardwood. Can vinegar be used to clean non-sealed hardwood flooring??
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use Murphy’s oil soap on my laminate flooting floor and it does great.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been at my wits end since Christmas. We have a new house and beautiful cherry floors throughout. The Sunday after Christmas we had 10 people for dinner. There was ice melt outdoors and our guest came in after stepping in the wet ice melt with treaded soles on theirboots. Needless to say we were appalled, but decided to get through dinner.
Once everyone left I proceeded to do my usual after-company cleaning and lastly wash the floors. We have been in the hous almost four years and have also instructed our cleaning people that Bona is what the builder recommended so for all this time Bona is all we’ve used. When I washed the floor with Bona it dried with a whitesh haze and loked terrible. I tried the Bona again, white vinegar and water, murphy’s floor soap (no oil), plain water and the haze would not dissappear. I called Bona and they sent me a polish remover thinking that maybe there was buildup on the floor. I knew there was no buildup but I used it anyway……..disaster. The floors were I thought destroyed.
I took it upon myself to dampen a microfiber cloth with straight ammonia. I washed the floors twice with two clean cloths and I now have the most beautiful mirror shine on all the floors. What I think happened was that the ice melt and water from under the boots just spread on the floor and made them hazy. The ammonia cut through the haze and I now have my beautiful floors back.
I don’t recommend using ammonia unless, as in my case, it is a one shot application. Leaason learned..shoes off, nothing more than a combination of four parts clear water and one part Windex, which has amonia in it, but when mixed with water it’s just enough to clean the floors and make them mirror shine.
Hope this helps!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I cannot wait to try this. Also going to have to tell people to take thrie shoes off from now on. Who knew?!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Jillee!!!!
Love you, love your blog!
Be careful using cleaners (even natural) on your wood floors. Years ago wood floors were waxed, etc. but the fact is that today, they are not. Most (real) wood floors today are sealed and finished with natural (green) products such as a well known product in the wood flooring business called Bona. This is a really good thing because it’s been around for many years and is generally safe for your family and pets to be around. Using acidic products even if they are natural can adventually eat away your floors finish or start to collect dirt and dust which eventually dulls your finish and can cost you more money.. *sigh* Yes, vinegar in moderate use is fine on wood floors if you ring out your mop very well. My advise is to use the Bona hardwood floor cleaner.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.***Laminate floors should NEVER have water used to clean them!!! Bona also makes a cleaning product for your laminate flooring that is safe and does not generally void your warranties… Plus, since laminate floors dull or look dirty easily, this cuts down that problem and dries very quickly.
Thanks so much for posting this!!!! My house has original hardwood floor throughout!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have used the tea tip and it made the shine again. I wouldn’t do this every week but will do it a few times a year.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wood floors are a lifetime investment, and decisions concerning them should not be taken lightly. The best thing you can do is to place furniture slides on all furniture to avoid scratching the floor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We have very dark Handscraped Laminate floors. which means they have a sort of wave to them to make them look more “real”. For 4 years I have searched and searched for a cleaner that won’t streak. vinegar/water did not work for me(left streaks). what does work for me is: Sweep with a good old fashioned broom really good. mix 1/2 teaspoon of dawn in a sink of warm water. (here comes my lazy) lol- two old washcloths wet and ring out excess. Then I turn my 6 year old loose “skating” through the house on the rags. She loves it, floor is clean, and I get to finish my one alotted Mt.Dew for the day!! lol
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do have the rugs outside and immediately inside the door but I have plantar fasciaitis and have to wear my tennies with inserts at all times…how bad is this for my floors?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Me too Dawn! Maybe I should have only “inside shoes” to wear! I’m wondering what others do in this situation!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have bad arthritis and need to wear sneakers in the house, as well. I keep a pair for inside use only and it works out great.
I have a confession to make. I’m lazy. Incredibly lazy. So when it comes time to clean my wood floors, I take the lazy approach. I sweep twice (because I live in the country and have a L O T of dirt and dust), then mop once. And by mopping I mean I do small areas at a time with one of those microfiber rags attached to a swiffer-like pole while spraying each area with the foamy window cleaner from the dollar store. (Seriously, I use that stuff on everything!) I’ve been doing this since I got my floor installed 4 years ago and its still as shiny as the day it was put in. About once every two months I stop being lazy and actually clean the floor on my hands and knees with a rag and bucket of soapy water just to get off any residue that my fake swiffer may leave behind.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.First I sweep and then use my steam cleaner.. If guests are coming or a VIP (my mum or mummy inlaw!) then I use afterwards Method Hardwood floor cleaner… It is the best thing ever, the floor looks fantastic afterwards and the entire house smells of almonds. I would bath in it if I could I love the product so much…
Another good trick to keep your floors clean is to keep your children outside and not let them in….. EVER ;-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I want to try the Method one because I absolutely LOVE anything with an almond scent. Guess what castile soap I use? :) I had tried the vinegar & water method, but it left my floors streaky. I then added some alcohol and it helped, but I had to find another recipe due to other people in my household complaining of the smell! I found one on Pure Natural Diva’s website that personally worked better for my floors. The one I use is 2 TBPS CASTILE SOAP, 2 TBSP ALCOHOL & 24OZ OF WATER. Plus, I have to admit I added a little bit of organic almond extract to enhance the almond scent of the castile soap. It worked wonderfully! I just use the original Swiffer floor duster/mop with a microfiber cloth on it. (I use binder clips to hold the excess, although, you could cut them to size. you can get a huge bag of mirco cloths in Home Depot for less than $10) You can add 2TBSP of oil (grape seed, sunflower, etc..) if you need to condition the wood. She has another one on there too with I think vinegar, lemons & alcohol. Also, there was a similar recipe to Jillee’s with the tea trick. I haven’t needed to try it yet, but it’s something I keep in my pocket just in case. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When we moved into our new house the hardwood installer told us that they do a very simple and effective solution of 1:4 Windex (non-ammonia) and water. The ratio is 4 parts water to one part windex. I vacuum and then damp mop with this solution and the shine and beauty of the wood comes right back…and it is cheap!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I read and kept the instructions when we installed our laminate floors it said to only use vinegar. Our bamboo floors which have a polyurethane finish said the same. I did notice the bamboo was a little dull. We tried the Lysol (same as Swiffer) wipes on both surfaces and had horrible results. The floors were streaky and looked dirty. We refinished the bamboo with Orange Glow Hardwood Floor Refinishing system. The cleaner in there has been great for the bamboo but I have not used on the laminate.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great tips! We lived with hardwood floors in our last two apartments – even did the refinishing in the last one! They are relatively low-maintenance as long as you clean up spills quickly and keep them vacuumed.
DEFINITELY, take care with vinegar on hardwood, though. As I said, we refinished the floors before we moved into the last apartment. In the kitchen, there was sticky tile, thin plywood and old linoleum on top of the original hardwood. The linoleum was glued directly to the wood – I used hot water, vinegar and baking soda to get that glue off and watching that vinegar work – wow. DO NOT use undiluted unless you’re planning to refinish soon!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can weigh in here. One of the things you have to remember is that you’re cleaning whatever the top of the floor is finished with. If it’s a laminate floor, it’s plastic, just like laminate countertops. The same chemicals that take care of your countertops will also keep your floors clean. If it’s a sealed hardwood floor, what’s it sealed with? If it’s polyurethane, how would you clean a piece of furniture, say, a wooden bench, sealed with polyurethane? I use dish detergent water – 1t Dawn (or other) in a bucket of hot water. Soap and hot water cleans something. Imagine that! I also go over the floor again with a bucket of water that contains a cup of vinegar. Vinegar cuts the soap and rinses all of the residue off of the floor. Now, if it’s an old wood floor that has to be waxed, again, dishsoap water. What you DON’T want to use is anything that will cause wax to dissolve- avoid strong ammonia solutions and you won’t have to strip and wax as often. When the floor is dull, it’s because there is either dirt buildup or detergent buildup, or a mix of both. The way you tell is to rub the floor with a wet white cloth after you’ve mopped. If it comes up dirty, the floor is still dirty. If it comes up grayish, there’s a buildup of floor cleaner. TIP: when the mop water is still pretty clean after mopping, the floor is clean. If the mop is still picking up dirt, the floor is still dirty. Hard water will leave a filmy residue on the floor just like it does in the bathroom; dry the floor with an old towel and pick up the water before the minerals have a chance to re-crystalize on the floor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Laminate floors can take vinegar (mix it with water, a bit of alcohol to speed drying time, and a couple drops of dish detergent to take care of water surface tension).
For my hardwood floors, I only use Bona. Spray on the floor and then wipe up with a microfiber mop. I also did a ton a research looking for a homemade solution (tightwad that I am), but came up empty. For hardwood, Bona is best. (And I am not affiliated in any way with this company.)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you, Jillybean, for helping me to know how to deal with my new wood floors. I am anxious to try this. I couldn’t help but think…How the tide has turned! It used to be me telling you. ;-) Love you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think Swiffer has a liquid for wood floors. You could dry swiffer than use the wet one, with the wood solution.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t care for the Swiffer hardwood floor cleaner. It left a dull residue on the floor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to think vinegar was the way to go with wood flooring – that’s what the installer led us to believe. However, ten years later and my floor is very dull; no shine hardly at all. I have done a lot of research on this lately and I found this article and it explains how vinegar is acidid and can etch the coating on the wood of the floor. I have stopped using vinegar and use Bona floor cleaner now. It is easy and dries quickly. I want to use the wood floor polish and see if that helps.
Sorry to disagree with you, but my advice would be – NO vinegar.
http://woodsthebest.com/Flooring/Flooring_Maint.htm
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree with you, Marybeth. I tried vinegar several times only to have dull floors. I have used Bona on my floors for over 5 years. It’s water based and I love the luster it leaves behind. I have bought the polish by accident and decided to try. It clearly says on the bottle it’s not supposed to be used as a cleaner. More like a re-finisher. To be honest I was not very impressed with the results.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve had laminate floors for 2 years now. I follow much of this advice on my laminate floors, and they have stayed looking nice.
Everyone in my house, or visitors to my house, know that shoes come off at the door.
I use a Swiffer vacuum on my floors, then follow with a damp dust mop to pick up all of the dirt/dust that the Swiffer may have missed. To mop, I change the dust mop head, and spray it until just damp with a vinegar/water solution, and mop until clean. This helps cut down on the streaking. For deep cleaning, I use the same method, only a mop and a bucket instead. Then, I use a dry dust mop to “buff” so it doesn’t streak.
This takes me at most, 30 minutes a day to do. 10 minutes to Swiffer, 10 minutes to damp mop, and if I have to actually mop, another 10 minutes. It takes longer to pick the kids’ toys up, than it does to do my floors!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Mama T! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a solution that is 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup water adn 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol. I am not sure if the alcohol is really good for your laminate floors. but have read else where that it is ok. When I wash my lam floors it usually has a film over it. Mama T. do u have this problem? what do u suggest? How often do u do ur deep cleaning mop (actual mop)? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Agreed. I do all of that except using the tea. People are scared of wood floors but they’re actually very easy to take care of. I LOVE having wood floors.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is great information…. I have a question though…. is it the same for laminate floors? I keep finding info for wood floors but not laminate floors. I’ve read that I should use a steam mop, others say NOT to use a steam mop, etc. Does the vinegar ruin the finish on a laminate floor. UGH. Any tips or suggestions????
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Heidi, see Mama T’s advice below. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have hardwood floors as well-not laminate or the pressed wood pergo type) thanks so much for the info. One of the major conflicts in advice I’ve gotten is how often to clean the hardwood. When you were researching did you happen to come across this? I’ve heard at the most 3 times a year to once a month.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks! How about laminate flooring and tile?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much !!!
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