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These cleaners will leave your floor looking pristine without damage them .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
Awell - maintained hardwood floorcan remain firm the test of clock time and look great for years to come . When it come tocleaning hardwood trading floor , opt the correct product is central — you do n’t want to utilize harsh chemicals that could damage the floor in the procedure .
Brian Shaunfield , Lowe ’s store manager , says there are a few details to keep in mind when grass for a hardwood floor cleansing agent . “ There are a variety of hardwood trading floor cleaners that boast different ingredient , from concentrated or quick - to - role , to all - natural or synthetic , ” he says .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
to avoid doing more harm than good to your hardwood , “ head off using water and acetum , soap - based cleanser , wax orsteam cleanerson your hardwood floor , ” Shaunfield advises . “ Over clip , acetum and water system will dull the flooring ’s finish , while soap or wax will leave a residue . ”
What We Tested
We appraise 19 hardwood floor cleaners on their effectualness , scent , and ease of use .
For more information on how we test hardwood floor cleaners in our lab , check outour examination processbelow .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
This hardwood base cleaner is an environmentally - safe choice and was good as cleaning during our examination .
This cleanser is unscented , which may not satisfy those who need to allow for the elbow room smelling clean after use .
The Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray instill us during test with its ease of use and strength when cleaning up even unregenerate stains like Lycopersicon esculentum spread . We put the cleaner to the examination by using it on dried stain like soda , dirt , and tomato spread . The soda and dirt were easy removed , while the tomato spread took a bit more scrubbing .
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Even though the Lycopersicon esculentum paste call for some elbow grease , the stain came out completely . We care that the bottle has two spray levels , a mist and a lineal spraying , which are both easy to use , and we get laid that the cleanser is environmentally well-disposed — it isGreenguard Gold certified , mean it ’s been strictly tested for chemical emissions .
It does n’t incorporate dyes , ammonia water , orthophosphate , parabens , or formaldehyde , so we think this would be a good selection for families with dearie or Kid . It contains factor like water system , citric acid , and atomic number 1 peroxide , and isSafer Choice certify , which mean the ingredients used were take for good for homo and the surroundings .
The Bona still managed to move us by performing just as well as cleaner that contain traditional cleaning chemicals . These are often more good than theirnatural cleaningcounterparts , but that was not the case with this hardwood floor cleanser . We also appreciated that this cleaner did n’t entrust any residue or streaks .
The Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray has two different spray settings: mist and direct.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
In gain to the effectiveness and ease of use of this ware , the price point was reasonable . While it ’s half the price of other cleaners we tested , we encounter it performed even better . Keep in psyche that this cleanser is unscented , so those who prefer a clean smell post - cleaning may be let down .
Product item : Ounces:32 fluid ounces|Scent : None|Concentrated : No
Key Terms To Know
Best Multi-Surface
Quick Shine Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
It pass on a run - free , residue - liberal close on both hardwood and tile after use .
It only has one setting for spraying , which is a mist .
If your house has differenttypes of floor , the multi - purpose Quick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner is our top plectron . The sportsmanlike impressed us by not only tackle hard - to - remove stains like tomato paste on hardwood floors , but by perform well on roofing tile , too .
During examination , it was able to easily remove soda and dirt stains with niggling travail , even tackle tomato paste with some added cubitus grease . We get hold that , though it clean both types of dump efficaciously , it did notclean groutquite as well — there were faint stains from the soda ash and tomato paste leave behind .
Two second after scavenge , we quiz the floor with a clean newspaper towel to determine if there was any residue or moisture go away behind . We were impressed to find that there was no rest left behind , nor was there any cleanup solution on the paper towel . We also like thefresh clean scent , which is noticeable and pleasant , but not too strong .
While theBona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Sprayhas three different spray scope , this one has only one spray setting . It provides a gracious mist , but it may not be suited for someone who prefers versatility . We did find that the mist provided an even coating of the product , which allowed for a quick covering and leisurely drying .
Product inside information : Ounces:24 fluid ounces |Scent : Clean breeze|Concentrated : No
Best Concentrated
Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner
It has a pleasant , citrus smell that deodourise as it cleans .
This hardwood floor cleanser required some elbow grease on difficult stains during testing .
Unlike the other two cleaners on our list , concentrated hardwood flooring cleaner need to be reduce with water supply before use . We found that the outgrowth of diluting the Lysol Multi - Surface Cleaner was simple . We fuse 2 ounces of sportsmanlike and 1 gallon of body of water in a nebulizer bottle ( you may need a funnel to do this ) .
The hardwood floor dry cleaner has a citrus feeling that we found to be very pleasant without being overwhelming . It lingered in the air and left a clean smell , but it was quite subtle . It also does n’t just mask your mess with a aroma , it deodorize so that the olfactory property disappear . It can be used on hard , non - poriferous surface , including tile .
Keep in psyche that , while the cleaner tackled the soda and stain stains with little effort , it expect more articulatio cubiti grease to cleanse the tomato paste brand . After checking with a clean newspaper towel to see whether or not there was any leftover blot or residue , we ground that this cleaner did not pick up all of the tomato paste in the cracks of the hardwood floor .
Product Details : Ounces:40 fluid ounces|Scent : Citrus|Concentrated : Yes
Best Eco-Friendly
Grove Co. Lavender Floor Cleaning Concentrate
The lavender fragrance , derived from innate all important oil colour , lend a spa - corresponding atmosphere that enhanced the cleaning experience .
The cleansing agent worked more or less easier on tile than hardwood , but it removed all stain from both floor types .
For a industrial plant - based formula , the Grove Co. story light print us enormously with its ability to remove all stains from hardwood and tile during testing . The toughest stain to clean was the Lycopersicon esculentum paste , which took about a minute to pass over up . Overall , the grease come off pretty easily .
We appreciate how promptly - dry out the pattern is , particularly on hardwood — it completely dried after two minute , with no residual left behind . The calming lavender scent is also a pro in our books , as it ’s pleasant and course sweet-smelling with essential crude ( keep in mind that it ’s unattackable , though it does n’t linger much ) .
One of the biggest perks is the recyclable glass bottle , which help salve you money long - terminus and is good for the environment than constantly tossing credit card . Though there ’s only one sprayer radiation diagram , the bottle is well - designed , with a silicone bottom and a recording label that shows the type of dry cleaner .
The mark on hardwood did require slenderly more study to remove than the stains on tile with this cleaner . We found that the Dawn dish soap removed dirt more easily on both floor type , but we remember the perfume , eco - friendliness , and tight drying meter make the Grove Co. worth it .
Credit: Amazon
ware Details : Ounces:16 fluid ounces|Scent : Lavender|Concentrated : Yes
Pallmann Hardwood Floor Cleaner Concentrate
The enceinte nursing bottle chip in you up to 8 Imperial gallon of cleaning resolution once load .
It left a tiny scrap of Lycopersicon esculentum residue behind that we picked up on the paper towel .
Cleaning products tote up up over clock time , which is why we appreciate the economic value that this Pallmann blank offers . It comes in a whopping 1 - gallon bottle ( by far the largest volume in our leaning ) so while it might cost a turn more upfront compare to other options , it will last you much longer , too .
The Quick Shine Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner comes out of the sprayer in a fine mist.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The concentrated formula needs to be stretch , which adds to the time value — you get about 8 gallons of cleaning solution with one feeding bottle , and you pay about 32 cents per ounce . The product has a elusive citrus lemon scent that we prefer to the chemical scent of some other cleaners .
We were impressed with how well the cleaner removed all the stain . Like many of the formulas we test , it struggled more with tomato spread than the other discolouration types — most total off the floor , but the unclouded left some tomato residue behind that make out off on the report towel .
But we really apprize that there was zero stickiness or grittiness on the floor once the cleaner dry .
intersection Details : Ounces:128 fluid ounces|Scent : Lemon|Concentrated : Yes
The Bottom Line
After thorough examination , we determined that the best hardwood floor cleaner was theBona Hardwood Floor Cleaner , because of its effectiveness and ease of it . We also wish that it is environmentally friendly and has three different nebulizer circumstance .
Our Testing Process
We put 19 product to the trial in our labs over 16 hours to determine their potency , simplicity of purpose , and strength . As a ascendance variable , we used adiluted solution of Dawn dish soapand water supply which , while effective , get out a streaky last .
First , we applied tomato paste , dour washing soda , and dirt to our test hardwood and tiled floor , and leave them to sit around for one 60 minutes . Once we were ready to start out clean , we read the instruction and prepared the solution if necessary , as some of the cleaner needed to be diluted before economic consumption .
Then , we used each cleaner withmicrofiber clothsto wipe up the first set of stains , using a raw microfiber cloth for each discolouration to determine how the root perform on each . If thestains require more cubitus grease , we switched to a sponge , submerge it in a pail of body of water and rack it out thoroughly before use .
During and after cleaning , we considered how well the grime add up out of the hardwood and tile , and we noted which were easier to clean than others . We also submit into consideration thesmell of each cleanerwe quiz , noting how strong the scent was , and whether or not it lingered after cleaning .
After wipe up the stains as apprize , we set a two - minute timer , and then touched the surface of the of late make clean stain to see how dry the field was , noting whether it find greasy or embarrassing . Then , we took a dry newspaper towel and pass over it over where the stain was , inspect it to determine if any residue from the cleaner or the stain itself remained .
Finally , once we test all of the hardwood base cleaner , we repeated our testing summons once more , this time using Dawn dish soap to check how the hardwood floor dry cleaner performed in comparability .
Then , we recorded our watching and experience , rating the hardwood level on a scale of one to five , scoring their effectualness , scent , ease of use , and value .
Others We Tested
Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner
TheRejuvenate All Floors Cleaneris made of a ready - to - use pattern that is ready for contiguous enjoyment and does not involve dilution , so it ’s a quick and gentle option for cleaning . It efficiently removed stains , including tomato paste , with minimum effort . We liked that it had a fainthearted citrus scent , which was pleasant but not too unattackable . Like theQuick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner , this light only has one spray setting to dispense the recipe .
What to Know About Hardwood Floor Cleaners Before Shopping
Ingredients
Knowing what ’s in your cleansing intersection always help you learn what ’s best for your flooring . You ’ll require to wait for cleaners that are n’t corrosive , like water , weaker acids likecitric acid , and weaker bases like sodium bicarbonate . These are known as surfactant that stir up natural action on the surface you are cleaning to help trap crap and withdraw it from the aerofoil .
caustic products will contain substantial acids and footing , like nitric window pane or atomic number 11 hydroxide , and these can rifle the conclusion of surface - sealed floor . Some people may prefer water- and plant - based cleaner , but those option will still have some form of chemical cleansing agent .
Becky Rapinchuk , laminitis of Clean Mama , specifically admonish against sure chemical . “ Bleach , ammonium hydroxide , and some artificial fragrance — these will damage your hardwood floors and can also be harmful in your home , ” she says .
Our pickax for best overall , Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray , is made without dyes , ammonia , phosphates , parabens , or formaldehyde .
Scent
The best ( or worst ) thing about cleaning the floor in your home base is that your house will often sense like it for at least a few 60 minutes . If you ’re sensitive to olfactory sensation , look for a scent - free cleaner like theBona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray , or lightly sweet-scented cleaner that will dissipate more promptly . If you do n’t mind a scent , however , you could discover a variety of options , like citrus , pine , rosemary , and almond .
TheLysol Multi - Surface Cleanerhas a slight and subtle citrus scent , and theFabuloso Lavender Purple Liquid Multipurpose Cleanerhas a strong lavender scent , which becomes less solid after dilution .
Concentration
storey cleansing agent come , for the most part , in one of two type . There are complete cleaners that can be enforce to the floor straight from the bottle . The other eccentric is a dressed ore formula , like theLysol Multi - Surface Cleaner , that must be diluted with urine before use .
“ When it comes to using saturated cleaners it is about lineament , not quantity , ” saysKathy Cohoon , an area spokesperson of Two Maids & A Mop . “ Concentrated cleaners apply a more concentrated chemical chemical compound and the user dilutes it with water so instead of using a capful of a sure dry cleaner you may only need a small-scale spoonful . ”
While they take a trivial more sentence , it ’s worth it for the cost savings as a little bit go a long way . Plus , you could adjust the strength for dirtier jobs .
Application
How you get your cleaner on the floor is an significant consideration as well , and most cleaners are useable in spray or spirt bottles . The majority of sodding cleaners ( the non - concentrate form ) are found in spray bottle , which create them comfortable to apply directly to floor . Our pick for the best multi - purpose cleanser , Quick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner , comes in an easy to utilize spray bottle .
Concentrates likeLysol Multi - Surface Cleanerare usually in spurt or pour bottles , so they can be teem into a bucket and dilute .
Your Questions, Answered
Can you use a steam cleaner with hardwood cleaner on wood floors?
The answer to this interrogative sentence mostly depends on the type of hardwood floors you have : sealed or unsealed . Before usinga steam swab , you ’ll require to ensure you are sure of which you have in your home .
“ Sealed hardwood floors can defy the heat and moisture from a steam cleaner , ” Shaunfield says . “ However , if your floor are unseal , steam cleaners can put passion and excessive weewee on your trading floor , which can lead to cupping and long - term impairment . ”
Can wood floor cleaners be used on other flooring types?
Some hardwood trading floor cleanser , like theQuick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner , can be used on both hardwood and other dump types , like tile . “ Before you use a cleaner for the first time , mark off the product educational activity cautiously to ensure it ’s suitable for your floor , ” Shaunfield enjoin .
Who We Are
Andrea Wurzburgeris a author for Better Homes & Gardens . For this news report , she spend several hours researching the best hardwood flooring cleaner and psychoanalyze the results from our research lab testing . She spoke withBrian Shaunfield , Lowe ’s store manager , andBecky Rapinchuk , founder of Clean Mama , about factor to view when pick out a hardwood floor cleaner . Kathy Cohoon , an area congressman of Two Maids & A Mop in Tennessee , gave us more insight into concentrated story cleaners .
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the intersection on this tilt , you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval . product that gain the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make certain they ’re worth a post in your home . We buy most of the products we test ourselves , but occasionally we are offer samples by companies if purchasing is n’t an alternative . In these pillowcase , we use the same testing criteria we use to try out the purchase products .
Credit: Amazon
Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner is concentrated and must be diluted with water before use.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon
We tested 19 cleaners in our labs to determine their effectiveness, ease of use, and durability.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We used each cleaner with a new microfiber cloth to wipe up stains during testing.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
