Looking for the best wood floor cleaner? Smart thinking. Essential for keeping your home in shipshape, a wood floor cleaner can help maintain or restore your floorboards. Because of the wear and tear they undergo, floorboards need a little TLC every now and again. Whether it's scratches or worn-in dirt you want to take down, there's a solution that can help.
A quick search online and you'll be inundated with reams of products, each one professing the same quality as the other. So, rather than scrolling endlessly through seemingly infinite choices, take a tip or two from us. We've carefully selected some of the best wood floor cleaners you can buy, factoring in a whole range of criteria. Vegan, plant-based, non-slip or pH neutral – it's all there.
As you browse our top buys, be sure to check out the specs we've outlined. Bottle size varies between products, as does the style – some are sprays, some are screw-cap bottles, and there's even a squirt bottle, too. Plus, you'll want to make sure it's suitable for your specific flooring, be that varnished, lacquered, waxed or laminated. As well, we've been clear to designate each product its own speciality, from the best overall to an organic option, a restorative option and a pet-friendly, non-toxic option.
Oh, and if you need a few more pointers, check out some of the info and advice we have on our how to clean wooden floors guide. Don't miss our best mops roundup for help with this job.
What is the best wood floor cleaner?
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We think the best wood floor cleaner you can buy is the . However, if you're after something for every day cleaning to pop in your mop, opt for the .
The best wood floor cleaners
How to use a wood floor cleaner?
The majority of wood floor cleaners are strong so require diluting. More often than not, these can be used in a spray mop (or bucket) to spread the cleaner around the room with ease. Whatever you do, don't drench your floors.
Ones that don't require diluting can usually be squirted straight onto your floor and spread around using a mop too. You can go around the room after application to pat dry if need be.
Always check the bottle for instructions, and always do a patch test on a hidden part of your floor before full application.
The Bona Wood Floor Cleaner Spray is our best pick of wood floor cleaners to use while mopping your home.
What can it do?
Available in both a one litre spray and a four litre pourable cleaner, Bona Wood Floor Cleaner can be used for both small touch-ups and all-over jobs. It's a spray bottle so is great for targeting areas, too. It's also pH neutral, streak free, and a non-dulling formulation.
How to use
It's easy: you can use it along with a Bona Microfibre Spray Mop for general cleaning of floors.
The verdict...
This wood floor cleaner makes a quick job of cleaning wood floors, and it dries very quick. Reviewers also reported a quick and economical clean with no residue or streaks on either engineered or hardwood floors and say the resulting effect is less mirror-shine and more soft sheen.
Good to know
You can use this product along with basically any microfibre floor mop.
Made by a leading cruelty-free cleaning brand and it's vegan, the Astonish Wood Floor Cleaner certainly won't disappoint.
What can it do?
For use on everything from sealed wooden floors to ceramic tiles and even linoleum, it has never been easier, cheaper and more pleasant to clean your floors. All you need to do is dilute it before use!
How to use
Once diluted, pop some of this stuff in your spray mop or bucket and use it to clean your floors. You won't regret it.
The verdict...
For starters, it smells like jasmine & wild berry, so once you've cleaned there won't be any leftover unpleasant bleach-y smell. Not only does this cleaner remove dirt with ease, but it actually leaves a protective coating on your floors to prevent further staining.
Good to know
It's not only this product from the Astonish range that has caught our eye; we also love their Stain Remover and Mould & Mildew spray to name a few.
While Bona’s floor cleaner spray is our top pick for maintenance and touch-ups, this Rejuvenate Floor Restorer can't be faulted for its ability to bring past-their-best boards back to life.
What can it do?
As well as cleaning, buffing and adding a protective layer to wood, ceramic tile, marble, slate and linoleum floors, this clever cleaner fills small surface scratches on well-loved areas of flooring.
How to use
First of all, you need to ensure your floor is clean, recently mopped and dry. Then, pour a little solution directly onto your floor and begin mopping with a clean sponge mop. It's recommended that you work small areas at a time (around 4ft x 4ft).
Verdict...
This wood floor cleaner can be used on several different types of floor – a huge bonus. We're not over exaggerating when we say that it gives a new lease of life to floors as that is pretty much an understatement. Reviewers also rave that it's just as easy to do as giving your floors a quick mop with water; there's not much grafting required.
Good to know
You should mop in the same direction the planks run.
Looking for something that's non-toxic, easy to use and even easier to find in the supermarket? Enter: Method's Wood Floor Cleaner.
What can it do?
This wood floor cleaner brighten and clean your wood floors mess-free. It's made up of non-toxic and biodegradable cleaners (including our favourite, baking soda), so no hazardous residue stays behind on floor, making it safe for pets, people and (without being dramatic) the planet.
How to use
It's super easy: simply squirt some of this stuff on your floors and (dry) mop to spread it around. There's no water required!
The verdict...
It smells great, it's easy to use and it really does make a difference. It leaves floors looking super shiny and clean, and it's affordable. An easy replacement for your current floor cleaner, we think.
The Fiddes Floor Surface Cleaner is an easy to use fuss-free cleaner for those who simply just want to get the rejuvenating job done.
What can it do?
Specially formulated to give a gentle, non-abrasive clean on oiled, varnished, lacquered and waxed wooden floors, the Fiddes floor cleaner promises a thorough clean without any harshness or damage to natural finish of hardwood floors.
How to use
Simply add two capfuls to four litres of warm water and then apply evenly and sparingly to your floors with either a mop or cloth. Leave to dry.
The verdict...
First of all, we love this because it's rinse-free so after applying, you can just sit on the sofa until it's dry. We'd recommend this product as the best wood floor cleaner if you're wary of the results of cleaning a wooden floor. In other words, it's a safe option.
Good to know
It's hard to get hold of...
Not too dissimilar from our previous pick from Fiddes, this gentle, non-disruptive floor cleaner from Osmo is recommended for waxed and oiled wooden floors.
What can it do?
Not only can this floor cleaner revive old-looking wood floors, but it also works wonders on wood furniture, doors, wall and ceiling paneling too.
How to use
First of all you'll need to free your floors from debris and dust by using a vacuum or broom. Then, add some diluted Osmo Wash & Care Floor Cleaner to your spray mop bottle and using a damp microfibre head on the mop, spread the product around the surface evenly. Afterwards, go around the room to wipe any parts that aren't yet dry.
The verdict...
Reviewers were impressed by its effectiveness – specifically its ability to lift dirt out of real wood floors in high traffic areas – as well as its mildness, with sensitive users remarking that it didn’t sting their skin or eyes while using it.
Good to know
While Fiddes has the slight edge for its rinse-free formula, we think this is a great alternative if you like the finishing touch of a quick mop-and-bucket go-over.
Harness the power of naturally-derived cleaners for an Earth-friendly effect that doesn’t skimp on the efficacy with this Parker & Bailey Wood Floor Cleaner.
What can it do?
This wood floor cleaner has the power to remove stains from wood floors with ease. It also leaves a lovely shine so is a great quick-fix for smaller areas.
How to use
Simply spray onto the section you want to revive or clean and wipe with either a mop, a cloth or a paper towel. You could also spray it onto a dust mop to easily sweep up debris.
The verdict...
Testers over at Good Housekeeping found it was particularly good at removing scuff marks and loved its spray bottle for easy dispensing. For more eco-friendly cleaning, see our final pick below.
Good to know
Not recommended for use on previously waxed floors.
A ‘concentrated hard-surface all-purpose cleaner’, Sal Suds by Dr Bronner are a great option if you have a combination of wooden and tiled floors and want a one-product-fits-all cleaner.
What can it do?
This wood floor cleaner is just as good at the rest in terms of giving a good shine, however the thing that gives it an edge is that it's safe to use around babies and pets because it's made from plant-based surfactants and is free from synthetic dyes, fragrances and preservatives. However, we should note that it won't do anything in terms of rejuvenating old floors as it's just meant for cleaning.
How to use
Dilute in your mop bucket or bottle and use to mop your floors. It's that easy.
The verdict...
Organic and with a mild formula, it's a great option if you're environmentally conscious or for those with sensitive skin or asthma set off by harsh chemical cleaners. All in all, this is our top pick of the best wooden floor cleaner if you're eco-conscious.
Good to know
You can use it to clean almost anything including your clothes, dishes and even your bathroom.
How to buy the best wood floor cleaner?
Size
If you've not got much storage space for cleaning products, it's best to avoid products that come in huge bottles. Also, we suggest trying a product before purchasing a huge bottle in case it's not for you. The majority of wooden floor cleaners on our list are 500ml to one litre.
Type
Wooden floor cleaners come in screw-top bottles or spray bottles. We think it's easier to have a screw-top bottle, especially if you have a spray mop, but if you want to use it to clean wooden furniture too, then it's handy to have a spray bottle.
Suitable for
Some wooden floor cleaners aren't suitable for all types of wooden floors, so it's best to check before you buy.
How do you clean and shine hardwood floors?
Yep, this is always an important question. Firstly, steer clear of pure vinegar, regardless of anything you've heard. Due to its acidity, vinegar can harm the flooring, resulting in dullness. Of course, if vinegar has been integrated into a professionally made formula, like that from Parker & Bailey, then this is fine. Also, you should avoid using excessively harsh detergents as these can cause a sticky layer to form on your flooring, which makes footprints and smudges all the more visible. Our picks above should do just fine.
Before getting down to the cleaning process, though, you'll want to make sure you've properly cleared the floor of dirt and trash, for which a microfibre mop is always a smart idea. As for vacuums, it is wise to leave these in the cupboard as they can scratch hardwood. Once this is done, you can then get on with the deep-cleaning, a task for something like the . Once you've sprayed the floor, you can then begin to clean using a mop or cloth, going with the grain of the wood, taking down stains and buffing the surface. Also, it's definitely smart to dry your floor after doing this, as this will further prevent any smearing. Et voilà.
By this point, your floor will be looking far shinier. But if you want to take it a step further, it might be worth considering applying a liquid hardwood scratch concealer. Alternatively, polishing could be a smart move, too. All this takes is a flat-head mop, complete with a microfibre pad, and some wood floor polish like this from Weiman – sold at Amazon. Dealing with unsealed flooring or a tung-oil finish? Go for a wax, not a polish.
Not quite there yet? Read our guide on how to choose wood flooring.