We researched and tested dozens of hardwood floor cleaners in The Lab, judging them on ease of use, effectiveness, and ingredients. Our top pick is the Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner, because it’s easy to use, it performs, and it’s made with a plant-based formula. Here are the best hardwood floor cleaners. The formula is plant-based and doesn’t require any dilution. Simply squirt and mop for clean floors without all of the elbow grease that other products require. Thanks to its essential oils, it doesn’t leave a strong scent behind. Instead, you’ll be left with a soft, clean citrus scent that our tester said reminded her of a day at the spa. She was also impressed with how quickly the cleaner dried and left a finish ready to be walked on: “Within minutes of cleaning one portion of the floor, the surface was dry as we began cleaning another. It left a smooth finish without any tackiness, too, which was a pleasant surprise." Price at time of publishing: $15 You do have to dilute the concentrate, but it’s simple: Just mix it with water, and follow the package instructions. Then, mop the floor with the solution—no need to rinse it. You’ll leave behind squeaky clean hardwood floors with an impressive look. As a bonus, the recognizable citronella—while too pungent for some—lends a fresh scent that lingers, making your house smell just as clean as it looks. For maximum mileage, you can also use the classic cleaner to refresh tile, linoleum, vinyl, and other flooring materials. Price at time of publishing: $12 Spritz and wipe, then watch as the fast-drying formula effortlessly eliminates dirt, dust, and stuck-on grime. 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. The cleaner is also an EPA Safer Choice product, meaning that it meets certain requirements for being people- and planet-friendly. Our product tester said that Bona not only cleaned her floors but also improved them: “We were also happy to notice some minor scuffs and surface scratches in our aged hardwoods were less noticeable after cleaning with Bona." Price at time of publishing: $9 Once it’s dry, you’re not just left with cleaner floors. The sweet almond scent is another huge draw to this cruelty-free cleaner. It’s pleasant enough to notice, but soft enough not to overpower, and it’s a welcome departure from the typical citrus scent you typically find in floor cleaners. Price at time of publishing: $15 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 use it on hardwood or laminate flooring. Just spray it on (a little goes a long way, so be conservative), mop, and stand back to admire your clean floors in all of their glory. The light citrus scent is a nice touch, too. Price at time of publishing: $17 A cordless construction allows you to venture wherever you need to, even in a large room. No need to worry about the battery life, either. After an overnight charge, our tester found it strong enough to complete several small tasks or one big deep clean of a townhouse. Do note, though, that you’ll need to purchase refill pads to continue using the VACMOP. Price at time of publishing: $100 This vacuum also has an impressive hour-long battery life, which can clean your whole home—or the majority of it—before needing to refresh the battery. An LED light on the floor head allows you to see your cleaning path and illuminates any hidden debris. This vacuum also folds in half for easy storage, if you’re cramped for closet space, or looking to optimize storage possibilities. Our testers pointed out this vacuum is slightly top-heavy, which makes it tricky to prop up between tasks. However, its quiet, powerful suction makes it a winner in our testing lab, especially when considering its lightweight design. Price at time of publish: $299 It’s a quality vacuum, too. The DEEBOT carefully maps its route and then shuffles along your floor while doing the hard work for you. During tests, it was very quiet when operating on hardwood—a great bonus if you have kids who nap or pets who spook easily. What’s more, it navigated around furniture very well, so you don’t have to worry about accidental dings and scratches. The price is high, yes, but it’s easy to use, easy to empty, and overall very effective on both settings. You can even add scented pods. So, if you don’t have the time or the energy to carefully clean and maintain your hardwood floors, this is an excellent autonomous option. Price at time of publishing: $650
Application Method
Some liquids require dilution. Some require rinsing. 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 is our top pick. Some will also need a mop or additional supplies, like cleaning cloths, to wipe the solution from your floors. If you opt for a vacuum or a robot mop, like the ECOVACS DEEBOT T10+ Robot Vacuum and Mop, you won’t need to buy additional supplies, but you’ll likely sacrifice cost for convenience.
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 on hardwood floors. Instead, Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), says it’s important to use a pH-balanced cleaner. What’s more, homes with young children or pets may prioritize EPA Safer Choice products like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. 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.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience. She has written extensively about cleaning products, including floor cleaners, for various publications. Her home is almost exclusively hardwood, and she has personally tested a whole host of the cleaning products featured on this list. To curate, she leaned on her own experience, reviewed bestseller lists, read hundreds of product reviews, and spoke to Alicia Johnson, a cleaning expert and owner of Cleaning Green LLC. Additional insight was provided by Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). “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.” Emma Phelps, a writer for The Spruce, also contributed to this article by incorporating insights from testing in The Lab.
What Is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
