For clean, polished-looking hardwood, remove grit before wiping, clean spills promptly, and use only a small amount of a cleaner approved for your floor’s finish. Avoid wet mops, steam, vinegar, and shine products unless the flooring or finish manufacturer specifically recommends them. If the floor stays dull after suitable cleaning, the finish may need professional attention rather than more polish.
How to clean hardwood floors safely
- Remove grit first. Use a soft-bristle broom, dry microfiber dust mop, or vacuum set for bare floors. Grit dragged across the surface can scratch or wear the finish. The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) recommends soft microfiber or similar dust mopping daily and bare-floor vacuuming weekly or as needed. NWFA consumer-care guidance
- Wipe spills promptly. Blot with a dry or slightly damp cloth; do not leave moisture standing on the floor. NWFA maintenance guidance
- Choose a finish-compatible cleaner. Use a wood-floor cleaner made for your particular finish, following both the product label and the flooring or finish manufacturer’s instructions. Apply no more liquid than directed, and do not leave the floor wet. NWFA maintenance guidance
- Reduce tracked-in dirt and scratches. Keep entry mats in place and add furniture floor-protector pads. NWFA consumer-care guidance
Match the cleaner to the floor’s finish
Hardwood floors do not all have the same finish. A surface film finish and a penetrating oil or hard-wax-oil finish are different categories, and a cleaner suitable for one may not be appropriate for another. If you do not know what finish your floor has, ask the installer or check with the flooring or finish manufacturer before choosing a product. See the NWFA’s overview of wood-floor finishes.
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NWFA consumer guidance suggests using a product made for the floor’s finish every month, alongside its daily dust-mopping and weekly-or-as-needed bare-floor vacuuming recommendations. These are general care intervals, not universal requirements: adjust for household traffic, wear, and the floor maker’s directions. NWFA consumer-care guidance
What not to use on hardwood floors
- Vinegar and water: NWFA warns that vinegar is acidic and can degrade floor finish. NWFA Technical Publication: Installation Guidelines, 2025 edition
- A wet mop and bucket: Excess or standing water can damage the finish and wood, contributing to problems such as cupping, warping, cracking, or splitting. NWFA maintenance guidance
- Steam cleaners: NWFA warns that vapor can penetrate wood fibers and cause irreversible damage to the flooring and finish. NWFA Technical Publication: Installation Guidelines, 2025 edition
- Tile or sheet-vinyl floor products: NWFA says not to use these products on wood floors. NWFA Technical Publication: Installation Guidelines, 2025 edition
- Wax or shine-restoring treatments: Do not apply wax to a non-waxed surface finish, or use products claiming to restore, rejuvenate, polish, renovate, or add shine unless the floor or finish manufacturer recommends them. NWFA Technical Publication: Installation Guidelines, 2025 edition
- Oil soap or an otherwise mismatched cleaner: Cleaner restrictions can depend on the finish; NWFA’s technical publication, for example, notes restrictions involving oil soaps, petroleum-based cleaners on waterborne finishes, and film-finish cleaners on natural-oil finishes. Confirm the exact product and finish before use. NWFA Technical Publication: Installation Guidelines, 2025 edition
When cleaning will not restore the polished look
If proper cleaning removes dirt but the floor still looks dull, the problem may be worn or damaged finish rather than residue. NWFA describes a maintenance coat as cleaning the finish, lightly sanding it, and applying fresh finish. Deep scratches, dents, or finish worn through to bare wood may require sanding and refinishing by a qualified professional. Ask the flooring or finish manufacturer, or a wood-flooring professional, which level of work fits the floor’s condition. NWFA refinishing guidance
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Easily refill any Bona floor cleaner spray bottle or mop cartridge
- Residue-free, fast drying solution that removes dust, dirt and grime to reveal the floor's natural shine
- Splashless technology and a wide handle provide extra control for a smooth pour
- Protect your floor from discoloration and harm with our pH-neutral formulation; Safe for all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors
- Formulation contains 95% USDA certified biobased content; Meets the U.S. EPA product standards and is Safer Choice Certified
Rank #4
- CLEANS & RESTORES SHINE: Pro formula removes stains & scuffs while maintaining a shine
- FAST DRYING: Formula is fast drying and does NOT require rinsing. Spray and wipe surface with dry mop or towel
- For use on: varnish, acrylic and polyurethane-finished wood and laminate floors, baseboards, cabinet doors and crown molding
- Not for use on: tile or floors with grout, oil finished wood floors and floors that require waxing
- FORMULA CAN BE USED WITH MOST REFILLABLE SPRAY MOPS
Rank #3
- Contains 1 - 25oz bottles of Method Squirt + Mop Hard Floor Cleaner, Almond.
- Brings your wood back to life without leaving residue or buildup.
- Inviting almond fragrance.
- Made from naturally derived fibers.
- 100% wax free.
Rank #2
- Easily refill any Bona floor cleaner spray bottle or mop cartridge
- Residue-free, fast drying solution that removes dust, dirt and grime to reveal the floor's natural shine
- Splashless technology and a wide handle provide extra control for a smooth pour
- Protect your floor from discoloration and harm with our pH-neutral formulation; Safe for all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors
- Formulation contains 95% USDA certified biobased content; Meets the U.S. EPA product standards and is Safer Choice Certified
#1 Best Overall
- Residue-free, fast drying solution that removes dust, dirt and grime to reveal the floor's natural shine
- Quick and easy to use. Just spray, mop, and refill
- Refill with any economy-size Bona floor cleaner refill or Bona concentrate packet
- Protect your floor from discoloration and harm with our pH-neutral formulation. Safe for all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors
- Formulation contains 95% USDA certified biobased content. Meets the U.S. EPA product standards and is Safer Choice Certified
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