The best cheap cleaner for hardwood floors is a mixture of vinegar and water. This natural solution effectively cleans and disinfects without damaging the wood finish. Use a damp mop rather than soaking the floor, and always rinse the mop frequently.
Bona PowerPlus Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner Spray
Like our top overall pick from Bona, you do need to use a mop with this solution, but the heavy-duty formula performed so well during testing that it earned a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award.
You should absolutely NOT use oil or wax based products, like Murphy's Oil Soap, on SEALED hardwood floors. These products will ruin the finish of your wood. They react with the polyurethane seal, completely destroying it, or create an unsightly, sticky, oily residue that can make your floor cloudy or slippery.
To clean hardwood floors, it's best to use a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner specifically formulated for wood. Microfiber mops or soft cloths work well for dusting and light cleaning, while a damp mop can be used for deeper cleans. Avoid using harsh chemicals or excessive water, as these can damage the finish.
The ideal mixture typically involves a mild solution of diluted vinegar with just a few drops of Dawn. This blend ensures that the cleaning power is strong enough to clean the floors without leaving any harmful residues or damaging the wood.
You can use Pine-Sol® on wood floors, though it is not recommended for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn wood.
Conclusion. So, the Murphy's Oil Soap vs Bona debate is over, and Bona wins. These are some of the best hardwood floor cleaners, but the flooring market is full of competitors. Their hardwood floor cleaner is said to be overall better by all the homeowners who have been using it for years.
For Water Based Finishes
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Water based surfaces may be cleaned with a damp cloth or General Finishes Orange Oil.
Daily: Dry mop floors with a microfiber dusting pad and mop. Clean spills immediately. Weekly: Clean deeper with a vacuum designed for wood floors or use a microfiber spray mop and cleaner formulated for hardwood floors. Monthly: Polish wood floors every 2-6 months for extra shine and protection.
These methods include: Mopping: Using string, sponge, or microfiber mops combined with specialized solutions. Steam Cleaning: Utilizing gas-powered or electric steam cleaners for deep sanitization. Dry Vacuuming: Implemented alongside other methods for comprehensive dirt removal.
Is Fabuloso® Professional safe on wood? Yes, Fabuloso® Professional's formula works on all non porous hard surfaces.
And a quick Google search reveals that a lot of people still recommend using it. But vinegar should not be used as a hardwood floor cleaner because its acidity can lead to etching in the wood's surface. Avoid ammonia – Ammonia will discolor, deteriorate, and dull the finish.
For a cleaning solution, you can mix a few drops of dish soap or castile soap with warm water in a bucket. Avoid using harsh detergents that will damage the floor's wood and dull its finish. You should also not use products like vinyl floor cleaner or tile cleaner.
Bona Polish is NOT a hardwood floor cleaner. It is a cheap thin finish that you apply to your floors. Over time and repeated use the film gets thicker and it scuffs and scratches easily making the floors look unsightly.
Bona is a reputable brand known for its hardwood floor cleaners, and when used according to the manufacturer's instructions, it should not leave a residue on your floors. However, it's essential to follow proper cleaning techniques and ensure thorough rinsing to prevent residue buildup.
Please, PLEASE DON'T USE MURPHY'S OIL SOAP on any wood floor. I own a flooring store so I have experience with ton's of different types of wood flooring. It will damage the finish on the wood after using over time. It will start lifting the finish off the floor.
DON'T: Do not use anything with ammonia in it to clean your wood floors. Stay away from wax based products, acrylic finishes, detergents, bleaches, polishes, oil soaps, and vinegar. Instead, get a hardwood cleaning solution (you can pick them up at any big hardware store), spray it on a dust mop and go to town.
If you must use pine sol, I'd definitely follow with a clean water washing to remove residue especially for safety of animals and children.