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The 8 Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners of 2024

These favorite formulas and trusted tools are all you need for shiny floors

Three wood floor cleaners we recommend displayed on a hardwood floor

The Spruce / Sharon Lehman

Properly maintaining your hardwood floors helps them look great and last longer. Plus, it can also buy you time between bigger maintenance projects like replacing or refinishing hardwood floors— a win-win situation when you have the correct supplies to streamline your chores.

Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), says that successful maintenance is easily attainable. Sweep or use a dry, soft microfiber dust mop on a daily basis, vacuum once a week on a bare floor setting, and use a professional-quality floor cleaner monthly. “But be sure to use the right cleaning solution, and avoid over-wetting or leaving behind a residue on the floor,” Miller adds.

We researched and tested dozens of hardwood floor cleaners at home and in The Lab, in product categories ranging from mops, brooms, cleansers, vacuums, and more. The result is our carefully considered list of top recommendations in multiple categories, to take the guesswork out your hardwood flooring care.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Better Life Floor Cleaner

Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner

Walmart

What We Like
  • Plant-derived cleaning agents

  • No rinsing required, dries quickly

  • Cleans basic dirt and grime

  • Suitable for multiple surfaces

What We Don't Like
  • Easy to use too much

  • Cap tends to leak

  • No spray applicator

After testing Better Life’s Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner, we loved that it's effective at cleaning hardwood floors, easy to use, and eco-friendly thanks to the plant-derived cleaning agents like corn, coconut, and palm oil. Grapefruit and peppermint essential oils, among others, give it a citrusy-mint smell that reminded us of a day at the spa. However, a peek at the ingredient list did confirm that there are synthetic preservatives included, too, as a heads-up.

To use this cleaner, you'll simply squirt it directly on your floors (or other surface of choice, since it's also suitable enough for marble, bamboo, and tile, to name a few), and give it a few passes with your mop of choice—string, sponge, or flat will all work. No rinsing is required, and we were impressed with how it dried in just a few minutes, leaving floors smooth and without any tackiness.

Now, we do see a few areas for improvement, specifically the packaging. The squirt nozzle isn't as easy to control as a spray bottle when it comes to both the amount you apply and the location that you apply it. So, if you want to be precise, you'll need to transfer it to a spare bottle or other container of your choosing. This comes down to personal preference, though. We think Better Life's impressive performance, delightful smell, and (mostly) sustainable ingredient list set it apart from the pack.

Price at time of publishing: $14

Product Type: Liquid | Amount: 32 fluid ounces | Scent: Citrus mint

Bottle of Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner next to a towel and a sink with suds

 The Spruce / Elizabeth Rago

Best Overall Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Runner-Up

Murphy Oil Soap

Murphy Oil Soap Concentrated Wood Cleaner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Largely plant-derived

  • Easy to use

  • No rinsing required

What We Don't Like
  • Requires dilution

  • Scent may be too strong for some

When a cleaner has been on the market for over 100 years, you're allowed to have high expectations. In the case of Murphy's Oil Soap, we think it'll live up to them. Beloved for its price point and its cleaning prowess, this solution is suitable for everyday cleaning, but it can also tackle built-up grime for a deeper clean. We like that the formula is largely plant-derived, too, with coconut as a prominent ingredient.

If you've never used an oil soap before, there's no need to be intimidated since the directions aren't much different than other formula types. In this case, you'll dilute the concentrate with water, and then mop with your—you guessed it!—mop of choice. Like with our other picks, there's no need to rinse it. Once it dries, you'll be left with squeaky clean hardwood floors and, as a bonus, the recognizable citronella lends a fresh scent that lingers, making your house smell just as clean as it looks. The smell might be too pungent for some, so if you're sensitive to scents, it may not be for you. For maximum mileage, you can also use the classic cleaner to refresh tile, linoleum, vinyl, and other flooring materials.

Price at time of publishing: $15 for 2-pack

Product Type: Liquid | Amount: 32 fluid ounces (two 16-ounce bottles) | Scent: Fresh

Best Eco-Friendly Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Walmart

What We Like
  • EPA Safer Choice product

  • Works on glazed or unglazed floors

  • Unscented

  • Leaves floors with a streak-free shine

What We Don't Like
  • Spray isn’t always consistent

  • Could be more moisturizing for wood

Bona, another brand with track record more than 100 years long, was an overwhelming favorite in a recent internal cleaning survey. Respondents raved about the clean, streak-free, easy results they get. We love that this cleaner is an EPA Safer Choice product, meaning that it meets standards for being both people- and planet-friendly, and offers an extra bit of reassurance if you have little ones (human or furry) that spend time on your floors.

It's super easy to use; just spritz using the bottle's mist or direct spray settings, wipe with a cloth or mop, and then watch as the fast-drying formula effortlessly eliminates dirt, dust, and stuck-on grime (nope, no diluting or rinsing required). Despite the shine, the product won’t leave floors slippery, and it doesn’t leave behind any residue that can leave floors tacky or looking cloudy and dull.

Since the Bona Hardwood Cleaner Spray formula is water-based, it’s safe for other types of flooring like porcelain and laminate, too. The cleaner's pH-balanced formula is also ideal, since experts like Miller, from the NWFA recommend pH neutral products (neither an acid nor a base) for hardwood floors.

Price at time of publishing: $9

Product Type: Liquid spray | Amount: 32 fluid ounces | Scent: Unscented

Person spraying Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner on wooden flooring

The Spruce / Sharon Lehman

Best Heavy-Duty Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Zep Commercial Hardwood & Laminate

ZEP Commercial Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner

Walmart

What We Like
  • A little goes a long way

  • Subtle fragrance

  • Works with spray mops

What We Don't Like
  • Not ideal in homes with kids or pets

If there’s lots of cleaning in your future, or when your whole house has wall-to-wall hardwood flooring in need of care, you might want to stock up on commercial solution like this one from Zep. The heavy-duty formula is made for high-traffic industrial spaces, but it works well in homes, too. You'll want to use caution if considering the product for a home with kids and pets, though.

The formula contains glycol ethers, which are chemical compounds used for their solvent, or dissolving, properties. It can be dangerous is ingested, if there's long-term exposure, or if products aren't used properly. You'll definitely want to ensure your space is properly ventilated, and you may also want protective gear for eyes and hands, too.

If it’s right for you, the professional-grade cleaner will tackle everything from spots and scuffs to set-in stains in a flash. You can also use it on hardwood or laminate flooring. The versatility is a plus since the commercial-sized container (128 ounces) will last a long time, but its price is still comparable to the smaller residential picks we also feature. Just spray it on (a little goes a long way, so be conservative), do a pass with your mop, and stand back to admire your clean floors in all of their glory. The light, fresh scent is a nice touch, and we also like that it's compatible with spray mops, too. Like with our other picks, you can also expect Zep Hardwood and Laminate Cleaner to fully dissolve and clean without requiring a rinse, leaving you with shiny floors after it dries.

Price at time of publishing: $13

Type: Liquid | Amount: 128 fluid ounces | Scent: Fresh

Best Microfiber Mop for Hardwood Floors

Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop

Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop

Amazon

What We Like
  • Suitable for dry and wet mopping

  • Generously sized mop pads

  • Reusable, washable mop pads

What We Don't Like
  • Mop handle felt loose at times

  • Not easy to wring out

Microfiber is a synthetic material that's great for lifting dirt and debris from floors and surfaces, making it an ideal choice for your hardwood floors. For mopping in particular, this pick from Microfiber Wholesale one of our favorite mops, sailing through our lab tests to prove itself easy to use and effective at both dry and wet cleaning. It can substitute for a broom when you're taking a pass at dust and debris, and it's more than sufficient when used damp with your solution of choice. We also like that it's an eco-friendly pick, since each microfiber mop head is machine-washable. It comes with three heads in total; two for wet mopping and one for dry.

We were especially impressed with this mop's practical design, and the telescoping handle that allows for adjustments (so if more than one person in your household mops, everyone can be comfortable). The only catch we noticed is that it was hard to keep the shaft tight after adjustments—but even so, this microfiber mop felt more durable than others that we tested. It's also tricky to wring out, but since you can ultimately machine-wash it, we didn't dock it too much for this.

Price at time of publish: $40

Product Type: Mop | Dimensions: 42 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Handle Length: Up to 70 inches | Mop Type: Flat

Best Spray Mop for Hardwood Floors

Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop

Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop

Amazon

What We Like
  • Dual zone microfiber mop pad

  • Cleaning solution included

  • Effective cleaning for spills and regular upkeep

What We Don't Like
  • Handle isn't adjustable

If you like to keep your cleaning routine as streamlined as possible, then a spray mop will be an ideal tool for you. It's just what it sounds like: a practical mop with a built-in spray mechanism that allows you to apply solution or water while you're mopping, with the press of a button or squeeze of a nozzle. Now, in general, spray mops are designed to work across most residential hard and finished floors, but for hardwood in particular, we like the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop.

Out of 16 different mops we tested, we loved that it had a thoughtful design made specifically for—you guessed it!— hardwood floors, and the fact that it comes with the very same Bona solution we raved about above, and named best eco-friendly hardwood floor cleaner.

The mop itself is easy to use, and we also like that the reusable and washable microfiber mop pad has dual-zone cleaning, which is a fancy way of saying that it has two different textures to optimize your cleaning of hardwood. The one downside we noticed with this spray mop is that the handle is not adjustable, but we feel that's a small concession for an otherwise efficient tool.

Price at time of publish: $42

Product Type: Spray Mop | Dimensions: 28.4 x 16.5 x 4.3 inches | Weight: 5.2 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine-Washable Head: Yes

Best Broom for Hardwood Floors

Swopt Straight Broom for Smooth Surfaces

Swopt Premium Straight Broom for Smooth Surfaces

Amazon

What We Like
  • Soft, poly fiber bristles

  • Lifetime warranty

  • Part of a clever cleaning set

What We Don't Like
  • Handles, dustpan sold separately

Not all brooms are created equal. For hardwood flooring we recommend one with poly fiber bristles that are soft enough to not scratch, but still strong enough to clean effectively. The Swopt Premium Smooth Surface Straight Broom is currently our pick for best broom for hardwood flooring for these very reasons. The 11-inch brush head is the ideal size for quick and easy clean-ups, without feeling too bulky or overwhelming. The soft bristles are great for delicate hardwood flooring, and in case you find this broom shedding bristles over time, the brand offers a lifetime warranty.

We suggest opting for the 48-inch steel handle, but part of the appeal is that it's interchangeable with other tools in the line (hence the brand's name, a play on "swapped"). The head and the handle can be replaced create a full set of cleaning supplies (all of which are sold separately), or kept together to be your next favorite cleaning tool. The downside is, however, that the dustpan is sold separately, too. That said, if you'd like to keep everything to one purchase, another option we like is the Yanxus Broom and Dustpan Set.

Price at time of publish: $10 (for broom head alone)

Product Type: Broom | Width: 11 inches | Handle Length: Varies | Bristle type: Poly Fiber

Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors

Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum

Shark Vertex IZ462H Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

Amazon

What We Like
  • Folds in half for easy storage

  • Self-propelling motor head

  • Long battery life

What We Don't Like
  • Top-heavy design

  • Smaller dust bin

We've tested hundreds of vacuums, and few can hold a candle to the Shark Vertex Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick, especially when it comes to its performance on hardwood flooring. It's lightweight, easy to maneuver, and most importantly, brings effective suction power. During testing, it made easy work of the messes we made in the lab, suctioning popcorn kernels and cereal in a single pass. Other convenient features that stood out are the 10.5-inch cleaning path, folding handle, and dual brush rolls (one with soft bristles, the other with rubbery fins). Plus, the battery can last an impressive 60 minutes long, which is more than enough time for most residential needs. It's powerful but not overbearing, and we found that it almost feels like it pushes itself when it's in use.

By design, stick vacuums are top heavy and the collection bins don't typically hold as much as canister and upright vacuums, but in our eyes, these are small concessions. If you want a trustworthy vacuum that you can consistently count on for hardwood (as well as carpets, rugs, and other hard flooring), it's a great pick. Though, if you're looking to spend a little less and are comfortable with a machine that's a bit bigger and hardier, then the Hoover Complete Performance Corded Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner is another vacuum we've tested and featured as a top performer for hardwood floors, too.

Price at time of publish: $415

Product Type: Cordless stick vacuum | Dimensions: 46.5 x 9.6 x 10.25 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Cord Length: Cordless | Battery Life: 60 minutes | Bin Volume: 1.4 quarts | Cleaning Path Width: 10 inches

Final Verdict

Our top pick for a hardwood floor cleaner is the Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner. Its versatile, plant-based formula works across a variety of sealed floor types. Plus, it's easy to use (there's no rinsing required), and it comes in recyclable packaging. It also goes well with our favorite mop for hardwood floors, the Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop.

What to Look for in a Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Type

Before purchasing a cleaner, consider how each product is used. For hardwood floor care and maintenance, you can use a variety of products, including mops, vacuums, and liquids. Mops and vacuums help you get debris off of the floor, while liquid cleaners remove any fine specks of dust and restore shine. You’ll likely need more than one type of floor cleaner, such as a vacuum cleaner that works well on hardwood floors, as well as a quality mop and liquid cleaner. A combo we especially like is the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop and Shark Vertex Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum.

Application Method

Some liquids require dilution. If you deviate from our list of suggestions, you might also run into some that require rinsing, too. If convenience is particularly important to you, consider the cleaner’s application method prior to purchasing. Floor-cleaning concentrate (usually sold in a 1-gallon container) may be economical, but you'll need to use a bucket or a separate container to mix the formula with water. You’ll also need to buy a mop to apply the cleaner to the floor. There are many squirt-and-clean options available that don’t need to be rinsed or diluted, such as the Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner, which we named best overall hardwood floor cleaner. Some will also need a mop or additional supplies, like cleaning cloths, to wipe the solution from your floors.

Ingredients

Though ingredients impact a cleaner’s effectiveness, they also contribute to a product's safety and floor compatibility. For example, you should not use products with bleach or ammonia on hardwood floors. Instead, Miller says it’s important to use a pH-balanced cleaner. In our experience, though, the pH level of consumer hardwood floor cleaners isn't always readily available (among our picks, just Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner makes their pH-neutral status obvious for shoppers).

What’s more, homes with young children or pets may was prioritize EPA Safer Choice products, which is another shoutout for Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, our best eco-friendly pick. Some floor cleaners are also formulated with heavy fragrances to add a freshly cleaned scent. If you're sensitive to strong smells, consider an unscented floor cleaner or one made from natural fragrances, like essential oils.

FAQ
  • What is the best way to clean and shine hardwood floors?

    To keep wood floors in tip-top shape, use a dry, soft microfiber (or similar) dust mop on wood floors on a daily basis, and supplement with a vacuum on the bare floor setting once a week, or as necessary, says Miller. You don’t need much product—you can get away with using a wood floor cleaner about once per month.

    “Shine is not something you should try to achieve with any wood floor cleaning product, as products that claim to add shine may be damaging to the floor’s finish,” Miller explains. “If a homeowner thinks their floors have started to look a little dull, they can instead be renewed through a simple maintenance coat—something the NWFA recommends doing every three to five years.”

  • What should you not put on a hardwood floor?

    Though it may seem counterintuitive, avoid products that promise to polish, restore luster, or add shine, says Miller. These solutions leave behind a temporary, non-protective, shiny film that can interfere with any future coats of professional wood floor finish. Keep in mind that wood and water don’t mix. You should never use straight water on wood floors. Applying high volumes of water in any form—liquid or vapor (like from a steam cleaner)—to a wood floor can cause permanent damage to the wood and the finish.

  • Can you use a steam cleaner on hardwood floors?

    Most steam cleaners state that they are safe for sealed hardwood flooring, but Miller cautions against using this type of floor-cleaning device. “Never use a steam mop on any real wood floor,” he says. “Steam is the vapor form of water, which means it can travel deeper and faster into and between the cracks and cells of the wood itself. This can permanently damage the wood and the floor’s finish.”

  • How often should you clean your hardwood floors?

    Routine maintenance for wood flooring is fairly simple. According to Miller, you should sweep with a broom or microfiber mop daily to prevent debris from scratching the floors, use a vacuum (on the bare floor setting) once a week or as necessary, and clean monthly with a professional wood floor-cleaning product.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was written by Dena Ogden, a lifestyle and commerce writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016 and has been with The Spruce since August 2022. She's written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. For this piece, she assessed the detailed reviews from our savvy product testers, combed through product descriptions and listings, and factored in additional features like product's ingredients, packaging, and performance.

For this roundup, we also collaborated with:

  • Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
  • Alicia Johnson, a cleaning expert and owner of Cleaning Green LLC.
  • Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience.
  • Emma Phelps, an associate editor at The Spruce, also contributed to this article by incorporating insights from testing in The Lab.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Glycol Ether Toxicology. National Library of Medicine.