With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Cleaning solution: A specialized cleaner, such as Method or Pledge, will work well here, as will a simple solution of liquid soap and water. For the best results, you can apply liquid cleaner to your floors and spread it with a mop. Clean wood floors with vinegar by adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to a gallon of lukewarm water. We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. Since commercial cleaners are often pricey and contain harsh chemicals that can lead to serious allergic reactions, a cheaper and safer alternative is to make your own DIY floor cleaner. Using a wood-specific liquid soap and warm water or for a more natural clean, mix one part white vinegar with 10 parts warm water and a soft cloth, dip the cloth into the bucket and wring until damp. This method also helps prevent excess moisture. Never allow water or any other liquidincluding the homemade wood floor cleaners weve listedto remain on the surface of your wood floor for long. If cleaning isn't cutting it, you might need to refinish the wood floors to help them look new. New around town? Tips for Keeping Your Home Social-Distanced Friendly. Once youre confident that the solution is safe for the surface, you can use it to mop, clean, and shine your hardwood floors. Aunt Fannie's Vinegar Wash Floor Cleaner. Especially with hardwood floors, scratch-causing heels and cleats should be left at the door. Certain types of cleaners could cause damage or be ineffective on certain types of flooring. Ideal for older floors that have been scuffed and faded over time, Rejuvenate helps fill in small scratches and get wood floors gleaming without making them slippery. Melanie is the senior home decor editor of Best Products, where she's been researching and testing out home and bedding products since 2015 her work can also be found on House Beautiful and Women's Health. Weve put together a handy guide on how to clean travertine floors like a pro! Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. To clean your wood floors with water and vinegar, do the following: Mix one part vinegar with three parts water. How to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink | American Home Shield, How to Fix a Clogged Sewer Line | American Home Shield, American Home Shield Natural Hazard Disclosure. Timing depends on how large your floor space is, as well as how much furniture and rug cover youll need to clear away. With an easy-to-use sprayer, this cleaner is ideal for quickly removing debris and messes on hardwood floors. Its Leaping Bunnycertified, meaning its never tested on animals, and its made with responsible , Aunt Fannie's is breaking new ground in the healthy home cleaning circle. Saturate a sponge or rag mop in the water, then wring it almost dry so it feels only slightly damp to the touch. Once the floors have been dry for at least 45 minutes, you can go in with the Hardwood Polish & Restorer keep in mind that this product needs to be applied evenly in one fell swoop and left to dry until it's set. 7 best floor cleaners for hardwood, laminate, and more. Looking for the process on how to clean laminate wood floors? But if your flooring isn't new, or you can't consult the manufacturer, pick a product that is specifically made for cleaning wood floors. When you choose a wood floor cleaner, look for a product thats free from harsh chemicals and is scented with essential oils rather than artificial fragrances. NO TWO HOMES ARE THE SAME. If applied and dried properly, it will fill in scratches and impart a glossy shine that will make decades-old floors look brand-new. Those who were happy with this cleaner said that it was easy to use and worked on multiple types of wood. Grove Co. Itll even work on other sealed surfaces if you have tiled or laminate floors that need a little extra attention. Learn more about hardwood floor costs and how to decide which type of new floor works best in your home. The 5 Best Solar Generators (2022 Review). In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best hardwood floor cleaners on Amazon to help you find the product thats right for you. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule. Youll use the mop to spread the solution you just sprayed on the floor, not to slop out a bunch more water from the bucket. Never use sandpaper, steel wool, or harsh chemicals because they can permanently damage the finish. Here are some hardwood floor maintenance tips: Sweep and vacuum regularly to make sure that any surface debris is removed before it can scratch your floors. AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein. Since you may find the smell of white vinegar unappealing, try adding a few drops of essential oil to the solution. For floors with a hard finish, wipe surface stains with a soft, clean cloth. Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner. Hardwood floor cleaners typically come in one of the following packaging options: Spray cleaners distribute mist directly onto the floor, which is then typically wiped with a paper towel, cloth, or mop. Satisfied reviewers said that this cleaner left a nice natural shine, had a fresh scent, and was usable on multiple types of floors. Once you have the right wood floor cleaners in your arsenal, you'll find that nothing is more satisfying than giving your hardwoods the deep clean they deserve. Before cleaning your floors, make sure that you first test the solution in an inconspicuous spot since vinegar can dull certain types of hardwood floor finishes. Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner. Old chalkboards are restored at the Dracut Centre School. Concrete floors are easy to clean, and using the right cleaners will help them last. Be sure that the cleaner you choose specifically lists your type of flooring as a safe surface to use it with. After diluting it with water, you can use it to clean almost every room of the house. The following remedies are for hardwood floors with soft oiled finishes. | AHS, 20 Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Every Room in the House. The crew discusses pocket doors and advises on painting. Once its cool, mop your hardwood floors with the tea, and let air dry. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The 20 best natural household cleaning products. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. In addition to that, Kathy suggests "deep cleaning your floors at least once every 3 months to keep them as shiny and clean as possible.". * Plastic-free and crafted to be sustainably powerful for a healthy home and planet. After 100 hours of research, talking with experts, and testing 23 sets, we recommend the WeatherTech FloorLiners as the best floor mats for most drivers. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. If the cleaning product requires it, rinse the surface with a clean mop dampened in clean water. Here, she breaks down the process in three easy steps: According to the cleaning guru, you should sweep or dust mop as often as you can. This type of cleaner is versatile and can be used on both small and large areas. The device then spreads the cleaner across your floor. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. These wood cleaners are made with natural ingredients that get your floors clean, polished, and ready to be admired for years to come. This Seventh Generation Wood Cleaner is made with essential oils and botanical ingredients and is safe for treated wood and hard, non-porous surfaces. Check out our guide on how to go green at home. Don't use vinyl or tile floor cleaners as these products might damage, rather than clean, wood floors. Otherwise, try the natural route with a homemade cleaning solution for your floors. To prevent floor scratches, its a good idea to keep your pets nails trimmed and any furniture on pads or rugs. Stay Grounded With These Nonslip Yoga Mats, 7 Best Wi-Fi Hotspots for Fast, Reliable Internet, Back-to-School Outfits for the Fashionable Teen, 7 All-in-One Desktop Computers for Home Offices, 11 Adorable Baby Dolls for Your Little One, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. When considering how to clean hardwood floors, don't overlook vacuuming. It could leak through to the materials under the floor or even warp the wood itself. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Notice to California Consumers: For your opt-out options, see: 3. method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner, 6. Even when the forecast doesn't call for precipitation, it's smart to remove shoes when coming indoors to avoid tracking dirt, grime, and germs all over the house. Reviewers say that it not only cleans but it imparts a shine and richness to a floors woodgrain that never seemed possible before. This method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner not only leaves behind a gleaming floor but imbues your home with the subtle scent of almond. This duo of wood floor cleaners from Weiman will help you clean, polish, and fade the imperfections of your cherished hardwoods. With its splashless opening, its easy to pour this bottles liquid into a spray bottle without spilling. The 5 Best Laminate Floor Cleaners (2022 Review), Tile Setting 101: Best Practices from an Expert, Has a biodegradable, plant-derived formula, Works on unwaxed, unoiled, and polyurethane-finished wood floors, Works on wood floors, wood cabinets, laminate floors, cars, vinyl, and more, Works on hardwood, ceramic, tile, stone, bamboo, vinyl, laminate, and other sealed floors, Works on finished hardwood, engineered wood, vinyl, and laminate floors, Has a biodegradable, hypoallergenic formula, Works on wood, laminate, and engineered floors. American Home Shield, AHS, Be sure with the Shield and the shield logo are registered trademarks of American Home Shield Corporation. Using the dampened mop, spread the cleaning solution over your floor using wide, easy strokes, and periodically wring out excess water as you go. There are many professional cleaning services that can clean, polish, sanitize, and renew your floors. After 125 hours researching and testing brooms, dustpans, and dust mops, weve found the best sweeping tools you can buy. Theres a lot of debate over what the best thing to use to clean wood floors is. Learn how to treat yours right with this helpful guide to vinyl plank flooring care. Use a soft towel to dry the floor thoroughly, as oversaturation or standing water can damage floor finishes.. Wood floors are the go-to choice for people who want timeless, elegant appeal they look fantastic with nearly any decor, theyre strong, durable, and provide better air quality than carpet but they require regular cleaning to stay in prime condition. This material is designed to trap dust and grime. For a greener clean, this pick from Dr. Bronner's is a concentrated solution made from plant-based ingredients and essential oils that can be used for nearly any home chore from doing laundry to washing dishes. Best for surface-sealed hardwood or engineered-wood floors, here are the eight best wood floor cleaners to have on hand. Some people say just water and a mop, others say white vinegar diluted with hot water, and if your wood floor is new, its likely that the company who installed it will have their own guidelines for how you should clean your hardwood. Plus, it works on non-wood surfaces as well. 50 Wirecutter Cleaning Picks Our Readers Love. Follow the tips for how to clean hardwood floors with a mop, above, to prevent water damage. Reviewers love that this all-in-one formula leaves no waxy, streaky, or slippery buildup. Many homeowners prefer the convenience of using items they already have around the house instead of spending time and money curating specialty cleaning products.