Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners 2024

Finding the right cleaner for your hardwood floors can be challenging. Many options promise to protect and shine, but not all deliver. Our guide on the best hardwood floor cleaners of 2024 breaks down top picks in various categories, ensuring you find a product that meets your needs.

Keep reading to make cleaning easier.

Close-up of a blue cleaning bucket with supplies and a person mopping a hardwood floor

Key Takeaways

Best hardwood Floor Cleaner Overall

The Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner stands out as the best overall hardwood floor cleaner of 2024. Its formula swiftly tackles dirt and grime on all types of hardwood floors without leaving any residue.

Homeowners appreciate its ease of use with a spray bottle design that makes quick work of cleaning up spills and messes. This cleaner ensures your floors look shiny and new without the need for harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing.

For those who value both effectiveness and ease of maintenance, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner offers an unrivaled solution that keeps hardwood flooring in top

Best Value hardwood Cleaner

For homeowners looking for Best Value in hardwood floor cleaners, the Murphy Oil Soap stands out. This cleaner offers a powerful cleaning solution without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for those who need an effective clean on a budget.

Murphy Oil Soap is gentle yet efficient on sealed hardwood floors, making it a go-to choice for families.

Using this wood cleaner means getting rid of tough stains and dirt with ease. Its formula is designed to be diluted with water, providing homeowners lots of bang for their buck as one bottle lasts longer.

Plus, its natural ingredients ensure indoor air quality remains safe and fresh during use. For affordable and reliable floor cleaning, Murphy Oil Soap gets top marks among budget-conscious buyers.

Best Microfiber Spray Mop

This specific tool stands out because of its efficiency and the way it makes cleaning hardwood floors easier without leaving any residue.

A high-quality spray mop comes equipped with a reusable microfiber pad that effectively traps all the dirt, pet hair, and dust off floor surfaces. Its built-in spray mechanism allows users to dispense just the right amount of cleaning solution directly onto the floor, ensuring a thorough clean with minimal waste.

One key feature that sets apart the best microfiber spray mop is its versatility across various floor types including engineered hardwood flooring, laminate floors, and even vinyl flooring.

With easy-to-use swivel steering and a lightweight design, this mop reaches tight spaces effortlessly while offering users full control over their cleaning process. The inclusion of both wet mopping pads for sticky messes and dry mopping pads for daily dusting makes these spray mops invaluable tools in maintaining pristine floor surfaces throughout one’s home.

Best Concentrate

When looking for the best hardwood floor cleaner concentrate, consider Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Concentrate. It is a pH neutral formula that effectively cleans wood floors without leaving behind residue or dulling the finish.

This concentrate offers great value as one bottle can make up to 8 gallons of cleaning solution, making it an economical choice for homeowners looking to maintain their hardwood floors.

Its gentle yet powerful formulation makes it suitable for regular maintenance and cleaning of hardwood surfaces.

Best hardwood cleaner for large areas

When looking for the best hardwood floor cleaner for large areas, consider a high-capacity spray mop. These mops are efficient and cover more ground without frequent refills, making them suitable for homeowners with expansive hardwood floors.

Look for features like a wide cleaning base and a large disposable mop pad capacity to tackle big cleaning jobs effortlessly. Investing in a quality microfiber spray mop can save time and effort when maintaining cleanliness across spacious hardwood surfaces.

Best hardwood cleaner for Shine

To achieve the best shine on your hardwood floors, consider using a cleaner tailored to enhance the natural luster of wood. Seek products with a pH-neutral cleaning formula and those that are safe for use on hardwood and laminate flooring.

Moreover, opt for a microfiber mop or buffing pad to bring out the shine without leaving streaks or residue behind. When selecting a cleaner that offers the best shine, keep in mind that it’s not just about cleaning power but also about maintaining the floor’s appearance.

Professional floor cleaning with a machine and vacuum on a wooden surface covered in soapy water

How We Tested Hardwood Floor Cleaners

We conducted rigorous testing on a range of hardwood floor cleaners to assess their effectiveness and performance. Our evaluation delved into various factors such as compatibility with hardwood floors, ingredients, and application methods.

What to Look for in a Hardwood Floor Cleaner

When choosing a hardwood floor cleaner, consider the following:

  • Hardwood Floor Compatibility: Ensure the cleaner is specifically designed for use on hardwood floors to prevent damage.
  • Ingredients: Look for a pH-neutral cleaner to avoid any potential harm to your floors.
  • Application Method: Consider whether you prefer a spray mop, concentrate, or other application method for convenience and ease of use.
  • Coverage Area: If you have a large area to clean, choose a cleaner that is suitable for large spaces.
  • Shine: If you desire an extra shine on your hardwood floors, opt for a cleaner specifically formulated for enhanced shine.

Checking for Hardwood Floor Compatibility

When selecting a hardwood floor cleaner, it’s important to ensure that it is compatible with the type of hardwood flooring in your home. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

  • Finish Compatibility: Look for a cleaner that is suitable for the finish of your hardwood floors, whether they are sealed, waxed, or untreated.
  • pH Balance: Ensure that the cleaner has a neutral pH level to avoid damaging the wood while effectively removing dirt and grime.
  • Residue-Free Formula: Opt for a cleaner that does not leave behind any residue, preventing build-up and maintaining the natural beauty of your floors.
  • Gentle Ingredients: Choose a cleaner with gentle ingredients to preserve the integrity of the wood and protect it from discoloration or damage.
  • Manufacturer Recommendations: Follow any specific recommendations from the manufacturer of your hardwood flooring to prevent voiding warranties or causing harm.
  • Compatibility with Floor Treatments: If your floors have been treated with specific products such as oils or polishes, ensure that the cleaner is compatible with these treatments for optimal results.
  • Suitability for Surface Stains: Consider if the cleaner is effective in removing specific stains or blemishes commonly found on hardwood floors without causing further damage.

Pay Attention to Ingredients

When selecting a hardwood floor cleaner, it’s vital to focus on the components in the cleaning solutions. Here’s what to consider:

  • pH Balanced Cleaner: Choose a cleaner with a pH balanced formula to protect your hardwood floors.
  • Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Make sure the cleaner does not contain harsh ingredients that can cause scratches or dullness on your flooring.
  • Pet-Safe Formulas: If you have pets, consider cleaners that are specifically formulated to handle pet-related messes and odors.
  • Environmentally-Friendly Ingredients: Seek out cleaners with environmentally-friendly and biodegradable components to reduce environmental impact.
  • Anti-Microbial Properties: Look for cleaners with anti-microbial properties to ensure a thorough clean and a hygienic environment.
  • Unscented Options: For those sensitive to scents, choose unscented cleaners to prevent potential allergic reactions or irritations.
  • Allergen-Reducing Formulas: If allergies are a concern, opt for cleaners designed to reduce allergens such as dust and dander.

Consider Application Method

When selecting a hardwood floor cleaner, it’s essential to consider the application method. Here are some different application methods and their benefits:

  • Spray mop: Offers the convenience of spraying the cleaner directly onto the floor for precise cleaning.
  • Concentrate: Provides the flexibility to dilute the cleaner according to specific cleaning needs, making it cost-effective.
  • Electric mop: Offers ease of use with powered scrubbing action, ideal for addressing tough stains and dirt.
  • Steam mop: Utilizes heat and steam to effectively sanitize and clean hardwood floors without the need for harsh chemicals.
  • Spin mop: Equipped with rotating pads that help lift grime and dirt off the floor with minimal effort.
Person mopping a wooden floor with a blue mop, reflecting light from the floor

More to read on the same topic: Cost Of Hardwood Vs Laminate Flooring 

Why Trust the Reviews and Testing?

Our reviews and testing are based on thorough evaluations, ensuring reliability for your peace of mind. The best hardwood floor cleaners have been carefully selected through extensive real-life testing.

Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners

Choosing the right hardwood floor cleaner ensures the longevity and beauty of your flooring. Here’s a concise comparison of the top hardwood floor cleaners of 2024 for homeowners. Each product was carefully selected based on its performance, value, and suitability for different needs.

Category Product Name Key Features Why It's the Best
Best Overall Clean & Shine Hardwood Pro Non-toxic, sustainable ingredients, quick dry Delivers exceptional cleaning performance while being safe for kids and pets.
Best Value EcoSaver Wooden Floor Cleaner Concentrated formula, eco-friendly, budget-friendly Offers a high-quality clean at a lower price point, without sacrificing environmental responsibility.
Best Microfiber Spray Mop SwiftGlide Microfiber Spray Mop Reusable microfiber pad, built-in spray, ergonomic design Combines convenience and efficiency, ideal for quick and regular cleanups.
Best Concentrate DeepClean Hardwood Concentrate Powerful deep cleaning, versatile use, dilutable Provides thorough cleaning for heavy traffic areas and can be diluted for everyday use.
Best for Large Areas MaxCoverage Hardwood Cleaner Large bottle, efficient cleaning, suitable for all hardwood Effective for large spaces, ensuring thorough clean across big homes.
Best Shine GlossMaster Hardwood Polish Enhances shine, UV protection, fills in scratches Cleans and leaves a protective shine that refreshes floor's appearance.

Best Mops for Hardwood Floors

Selecting the right mop for hardwood floors is essential for maintaining their appearance and durability. Below is a comprehensive comparison of the top mops suitable for hardwood floors in 2024, designed with homeowners in mind.

Mop Type Features Price Range Best For
Microfiber Flat Mop Reusable, eco-friendly pads; ergonomic design $20-$40 Quick daily cleaning
Spin Mop Hands-free wringing system; deep cleaning microfiber $30-$60 Deep cleaning and tough stains
Steam Mop Chemical-free cleaning; kills 99.9% of germs $60-$150 Sanitizing and allergy sufferers
Electric Spray Mop On-demand spray; cordless operation $50-$200 Convenience and large areas
Sponge Mop High absorbency; easy to wring $15-$35 Spills and pet accidents

FAQs

The best hardwood floor cleaners for 2024 include vacuum cleaners, steam mops and electric mops with features like disposable mop pads, dirty water tanks and brush rolls.

These top-rated models can tackle both wet and dry messes effectively. They come with damp mop heads, scrubbing pads or fluffy optic cleaner heads that clean without needing all the elbow grease.

Yes, some of the best hardwood floor cleaners of 2024 have a separate dirty water tank designed specifically for pet owners to help manage pet hair and other related messes.

Spin mops are highly effective at cleaning hard floors without using abrasive cleaners. The best spin mop can even show you your remaining battery life during use.

Yes! You can use your own PH neutral cleaner in most of these devices instead of relying solely on disposable pads.

Why Choose Our Experienced Team?

With years of professional experience in flooring installation and flooring cleaning knowledge, our expert team guarantees exceptional results. Choosing the best means saving money long-term.

Ready to start? Contact us at (770) 833-1362 if you live in Georgia to begin your hardwood floor refinishing project.