Final Verdict. Our top pick is the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop for its strong spray output, lightweight design, and impressive maneuverability. If you're seeking a less-expensive option, we recommend the Swiffer PowerMop, which was effective on both grout and hardwood. Plus, it's portable.
The best way to sweep hardwood floors is to use a soft-bristle broom or a microfiber dust mop. This helps to avoid scratches and effectively removes dust and debris. It's also a good idea to sweep in the direction of the wood grain for a thorough clean. For more cleaning tips, check out my Quora Profile.
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.
Bona is recommended by the company that manufactured our floors. It's supposedly the best for cleaning & conditioning hardwoods!
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. Using ammonia to clean a wood floor will take years off of its life.
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.
Do not wet mop wood flooring. Damp is good. Dripping wet is bad. If you can ring out the mop or pad, you're working with too much water.
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. The only remedy to restore your floors is to strip the Bona Polish off.
With the vast array of cleaners available today, consumers need to be aware of how to properly use their products to avoid health hazards and damaging surfaces. Murphy® Oil Soap is one natural cleaner that's effective on hardwood floors and more when used as instructed.
Almost all of the mops on this list use microfiber heads, and our pick for best microfiber mop, the Oxo Good Grips Microfiber Spray Mop with Slide-Out Scrubber, was gentle on hardwood floors while still mopping up spills and cleaning debris like soil.
You can use a putty knife to gently scrape out grime, then gently spot clean anywhere that needs extra attention. It's optional, but if you want to go the extra mile, use an antibacterial wood floor cleaner to disinfect the floor with a mop. Focus on small areas at a time, rather than racing to be done.
Do you spray on the mop or on the floor? The Bona Premium Spray Mop sprays Bona Floor Cleaner directly onto the floor itself, and is designed to give you the perfect amount of floor cleaner with each spray.
You can use Pine-Sol® on wood floors, though it is not recommended for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn wood.
Use high-quality brooms and brush sets for efficient cleaning. Treat dirt spots or loose debris using a dry mop and a concentrated cleaner. Avoid bleach or excessive finishing products as they may discolor or damage your floors. For stubborn stains, use a damp cloth, ensuring it's wrung out properly.
From traditional mops to advanced steam cleaners, professionals employ diverse tools for cleaning floors. 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.
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.
Bona cleaners won't dull your floors or leave behind any residue. Find the perfect products to clean, shine and protect your floors.
Too much cleaning product used
This will often leave floors sticky. When you use too much cleaner, the excess creates a soapy residue that is sticky to the feet especially when you've not done enough rinsing. To tackle this potential cause of sticky floors: Try to follow the instructions on the label.
Is Fabuloso® Professional safe on wood? Yes, Fabuloso® Professional's formula works on all non porous hard surfaces.
Ensure that your mop is free from debris and thoroughly rinsed before each use. After mopping with your chosen cleaning product, you need to go over the floor again with a well-rinsed mop, to remove any residue left behind. By adhering to this method, you'll achieve a consistent, streak-free finish.
It is also more economical to mop with cold water, as you do not need to heat up water. Cold water evaporates less quickly and so will also leave fewer or no streaks when drying. For wooden floors and other delicate materials, cold water is safer to avoid heat damage. This is because wooden floors can warp or dry out.
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.