Our house in Tennessee has wood floors throughout a lot of it. And even though we’ve lived in quite a few different places over the last 11 years, we’ve never had wood floors.
So this is all new to me and I’m realizing quickly that I need to figure something out since not cleaning the floors isn’t exactly an option. 😉
I’d love your input and suggestions: what’s the best and most efficient way to clean and care for wood floors?
Thank you so very much for your help!
April @ A Simple Life says
If we could afford a Shark, we would use that, hands down.
Instead, we made due with a swiffer knock off. Instead of purchasing the disposable “sheets” (can’t think of the proper word right now), we attached rags to it and used vinegar and water mixture – 50 / 50. The secret was to follow up with a dry rag quickly after the mop – this is where the children come in handy:-)
Kalley Sadler says
I got into Norwex 2 years ago when I was looking for a non-toxic cleaning supplies for my family. We had also just moved to a home with all hardwood floors and my baby was crawling. Norwex is amazing…just use water. All the cloths are washable so I am helping the environment as well. It saves me money and time! And my kids can clean too!
Kristy says
We built a new house in the fall and this is my first wood floor as well. I was at a loss with all the contradicting information so I decided to go straight to the owner’s manual for my brand of floor. It definitely said no steam mop (which used to be my fav) and no vinegar (my other fave). It said to use Swiffer Wet Jet wood formula. I was less than impressed so I’ve since switched to the Method wood floor cleaner that others have mentioned (yummy almond oil smell) in a Freedom mop (has trigger switch/no batteries/fill with whatever you want) and I LOVE it. I’m going to follow their advice so I don’t void our warranty, but I do on occasion use vinegar and water on a cloth to wipe up messes.
Ed says
We had our house remodeled about 15 years ago with all hard wood floors thruout. The only thing we have used is Murphy Oil Soap. Never had a problem.
Rene Miller says
As the wife of a retired hardwood floor installer/refinsher and owner of hardwoods in my own home, the best way to keep the floors clean is to sweep daily and clean up spills/drops right away. (I know, boring stuff) For overall cleaning, a capful of vinegar in a gallon of water. Remember to wring out your mop and don’t let the water set on the floor. It can and does go through your finish over time and water and wood are not friends.
Also, use the sticky pads for all the bottoms of your chairs, couches, tables, etc. This helps prevent scuffing, scratching of the finish.
Anita Finn says
Our house has hardwood floors throughout…cleaning is easier than I thought it would be.
My vacuum has an option for wood floors that allows me to vacuum without the brush on and then I use my Bissell Steam Mop. I vacuum more often but use the Steam Mop at least once a week. I also once a month use the Spic ‘N Span with hot water. I’ve never had any trouble with the Spic ‘N Span leaving a residue or anything.
We have pets (2 cats & 2 dogs) so we have to vacuum regularly to keep hair at bay.
Hope this is helpful!
Jessie says
Norwex mopping system!
Diane says
I purchased hardwood floors 7 years ago from a local company that does a lot of hardwood floors for national events. They told me sold me a gal of cleaner(I am still using it) a spray bottle and I mix it with water. I use washable pads that Velcro on and off the floor mop, think janitors cleaning gym floors. My floors still looked great. I believe Bona Hardwood Floor cleaner would be very similar. Refinishing hardwood floors is messy and expensive. Enjoy your hardwood floors. i love mine.
Karen D. says
We have wood floors throughout our house. The best thing ever is a Bona Mop. Have the kind that does not have a bottle attached to the mop. You buy the Bona Hardwood Floor cleaner (Bed Bath and Beyond sells it as well as many other stores). The mop comes with blue pads that can be washed and reused. You spray a small area with the cleaner and mop with a damp pad. Very easy, very fast, non toxic and does not hurt the floor. Vinegar and water also works, but I never liked the smell and found the Bona to clean better. The mop also comes with a fluffy white pad that is a dust mop. The key to keeping wood floor shiny is to vacuum or dust mop often to keep the dust and dirt from scratching the floor as you walk over it.
samantha says
When we had our wood floors redone, the gentleman told us to only use vinegar mixed with warm water on them.
cheryl says
We had a wood floor refinished by a professional and he said he would guarantee it for 5 years if we only use water. That, that is the ONLY thing to use on wood. So I use a steam mop.
Bonnie Witte says
I use Basic H, a truly all natural cleaner that’s been around for about 50 years. My first bottle lasted me about 3 years. Its great for all purpose cleaning, windows, bathrooms, kitchen, and hard wood floors. It cleans them well, they are shiny and I don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals, especially with my two young daughters. See bpwitte.myshaklee.com for more info 🙂 Happy cleaning!
tori says
we have a Shark steam mop. I use it with vinegar…works great for us!!:)
Loretta says
A bit of Murphy’s Oil Soap mixed with water works well even with a wet/dry mop. Using that instead of the expensive cleaners designed for wood floors is not only cheaper, but easier. And it isn’t a overpowering scent either! I definitely wouldn’t recommend any type of Swiffer mops or cleaners. They tend to leave enough of a residue that over time, you have no choice but to get down on your hands and knees with a soapy mixture to scrub it off. Cleaners that work on laminate floors will work, too. Hope this helps!
Jen says
I just want to say….Never Ever use a swiffer wet jet. I found out the hard way. I use to love it, so quick and easy to use. I Never kept out, always had it safely put away because I had cats and didn’t want those curious little ones getting into something they shouldn’t. A few weeks after using my swiffer wet jet, my cat was acting weird. I took him to the vet, they examined him and found out that his little body was shutting down. he was having kidney failure and going blind. The vet did some tests on him and asked me what cleaning products I used. She told me that the swiffer had anti-freeze in its solution. That the cat probably licked the floor once it dried, and thats what was making him sick. We sadly had to put the cat down. (keep in mind I always was so careful around my little cats, i never let them walk on wet/cleaned areas until dry.) So the vet told me Never use a Wet-Jet again.
Crystal Paine says
I am SO sorry to hear this. And thank you so much for letting us know. 🙁
Courtney Stephenson says
Oh my goodness, this happened to us too!!!! We almost lost our Shih Tzu in 2008. I just used a Swiffer on my hardwood floors and within about 1 hour, our sweet puppy was vomiting non stop. Her gums turned white and she was so frail. I rushed her to the vet and they ended up detoxing her body and she stayed there for 5 days. She finally got better but we almost lost her. We were told the exact same thing about the Swiffer solution as well.
Now I only use a Norwex mop. It’s the best thing I have discovered and is so safe.
Lorri says
A steam mop is the best thing. It is so fast and easy and your floors will look great.
Heather says
I would highly recommend a steam mop! It is easy to use and just uses water. If you just need a quick sweep, I use the dry swiffer cloths.
jennifer says
I stopped using vinegar because it leaves a residue on my floors. You are actually not suppose to “mop” real wood floors but on a rare occasion (or so I have been told). You are suppose to dry mop and damp mop. I use a mop that has a refillable cleaner holder and a removable / washable pad about once a week and sweep/ swiffer daily or twice daily! The mop has a nozzle that lightly sprays where you are mopping. With hardwood it is impossible to keep crumbs and such from getting under the furniture and is quite annoying. It seems just walking through causes anything to get pushed under there!
Karen says
Your wood floors are beautiful!
Shari Lynne @ Faith Filled Food for Moms says
My whole house is hardwood..Hot Water and Vinegar if needed…super simple!
Mindy Wilken says
I highly recommend a Norwex mop! It keeps my wood floors super clean without the use of harsh chemicals. I’ve been using mine for an entire year, as long as I’ve been a consultant and it still works perfect. For dark hard woods in addition to my Norwex mop, I use Bona spray once a week which helps prevent footprints on your floor. Mainly if your family doesn’t wear socks inside, which we don’t!
Penni Hill says
We’ve had our wood floors for 23 years.
I recommend plain hot water — making sure your mop is wrung out well so the mop is only damp. (I use a Star Mop- love it!!) Making floors too wet can do damage – swelling to the wood as well as discoloration to the finish. The less wet they are the better. 🙂
I spot clean any spills, etc with a rag dipped in hot water and a tiny bit of Dawn. Being sure to wipe up any dampness afterwards with a dry cloth.
Keep any visible dirt swept up immediately – the grit will grind away at the finish.
A simple method to keep hardwood floors looking beautiful for many years!!
Barb H says
I dry “mop” it with a Swiffer (not wet), and then use Bona–recommended by the flooring installers and many others.
Trinette says
I have a shmop (I think that’s how you spell it) and I just make a spray bottle 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar and peppermint essential oil (you could use others), spray and mop up. We have hard wood through a good part of our first floor. Hope this helps, and I hope you are enjoying your new place and new adventure! 🙂
Theres says
Agreed! I clean everything with vinegar and water, but for wood floors, those few drops of oil (eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint) make all the difference. It’s the “oil” in the Murphy’s “oil soap” that “feeds’ the wood and keeps from making streaks or eating away any finish. Aside from that, I can have any fragrance cleaner I like… =)
I use a no-frills broom and mop.
Jessica says
A damp mop with Murphy’s wood floor cleaner and water in a spray bottle. That’s the method I use….we have tons of weed floors in our current house and in our previous home, as well. I love wood floors!
Ray L says
The best way I have found is fill a spray bottle with water. Add about a teaspoon of dish soap. Spray and mop.
Melody says
I’ve been using my Haan steam mop on my wood floors for 7 years. I simply vacuum first, using a swiffer to get the dust that accumulates under furniture.
A steam mop kills bacteria, uses very little water, NO nasty chemicals, and leaves your floors squeaky clean.
Surprisingly, we can steam around 1400sq. ft of flooring using only 2-3 cups of water. They dry within minutes…and our floors gleam afterward.
Some commenters say that they feel wood floors are high maintenance. We have four busy kids, so of course stuff gets tracked in quickly but I would rather feel the dirt at my feet and vacuum it up rather than having it fall deep into my carpet. My house is definitely cleaner now that the main floors are carpet free.
Melissa says
I would just add to the Bona/Swiffer debate – I used Swiffer for many years and broke at least 3 of them. I switched to Bona because I wanted a refillable dispenser for my cleaning solution. I was tired of wasting so much money buying swiffer’s expensive solution. Now I use water, vinegar, and a touch of Dr. Bronners in my solution and it works fine. So far no problems with the Bona mop itself and I’ve been using it for about 18 months.
Emily T says
I love Method’s wood floor cleaner, it does a great job cleaning and has almond in it so it smells delicious too. Also one of the more natural ones I have found
Julie says
We just had our hardwood floors replaced and were told by the flooring people to simply use warm water to damp mop. It works beautifully and is cheap and chemicL free.
We vacuum several times a week,
Allison says
We vacuum a lot but use hot water with pinesol and wash on hands and knees and let air dry. Our floors always smell good and are shiny.
Julie says
We just had our hardwood floors replaced and were told by the flooring people to simply use warm water to damp mop. It works beautifully and is cheap and chemicL free.
We vacuum several times a week,
Carla McClendon says
I’ve used everything until I found the shark steam mop. I purchases it at WalMart and you buy extra pads that are machine washable!! You must use distilled water! It’s very affordable and the floors get really clean and it’s easy to use! Best mop EVER!!
Lesley says
Check out Norwex, chemical free cleaning. Easy, quick, and cheaper. No more buying chemicals.It uses water. Because of the mop’s unique microfiber and silver it cleans well. Leaving it shiny and you can literally eat off of your floor!! Checkout the products. Mop and so much more. http://www.lesleyquirke.norwex.biz
jennifer hewitt says
Bona is the best hardwood floor cleaner!
Karen says
You are getting lots of responses and some seem to contradict each other. I found that, too, when I was researching how best to clean our hardwood floors. Some of it depends on the finish on the hardwood. I use a Shark Steam Mop. It’s just hot steamy water. I like that my kids can mop the floors and there’s never too much water on the floor. Just steam!
Jennifer says
This is our first house with hard wood floors and I HATE them! They are so unforgiving! Great for spills and allergies…but they need cleaned every other day. I am constantly sweeping, Swiffering, and cleaning up dirt. I usually end up running the sweeper on them because it takes me forever to sweep with a broom. I Swiffer the hard to reach spots. I use a Shark steam mop and it’s no chemicals and cleans up spots so nicely–even the dried on spills and food. Pledge has a new floor shine product that you squirt on and damp mop on the wood.
Jessica says
You must have a shiny finish and maybe dark wood? Those are hard to keep looking clean! Our floors are not very shiny at all, and they only need to be mopped once every week or two. I guess that is a plus with having a somewhat worn finish. ha
karen b says
vinegar & water!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when we built & put in hardwood floors we were told NOT to use murphays oil soap on floors cant remember reason just know not to use it
Julie says
We just got new hardwood floors put in our house two months ago. The manufacturer and installer recommends Bona.
Jen Christians says
I love Bona products, they are kinda pricey, but I buy from Costco… That is all we use on our wood floors. I always use a dry mop first though.
I love my woods… But they get dirty quick. Although it makes you realize what must have been in your carpets. (Yuck!)
Jen says
We use Bona too….We were told either that or plain water is all you should use. I’d definitely not use vinegar….the finish is subject to stripping, and I can’t imagine that an acidic cleaner would be good.
We also bought a canister vac…..we have all wood floors pretty much…..LOVE the canister vac! It’s so great to have wood floors because even though you have to sweep/vacuum more often, you know that dust is not staying trapped in the carpet!
Thanks for the Costco tip, we just ran out of the Bona refill!
Jennifer says
I don’t recommend vinegar/water, I feel like it strips the gloss coating on the floors over time. Also you want some kind of detergent/degreaser to cut through the dirt/grime. But you don’t want anything that will leave a build up or residue. I really like Bona hardwood cleaner. It seems to clean the floors but doesn’t leave a residue.
Amanda Brandon says
I use a steam mop on my wood floors. It cleans and dries quickly.
CeeJay says
It depends on how they finished your floors. Varnished or Polyurathaned oak floors can be cleaned with a “little” water or steam. If they are old floors that were sanded and waxed then you don’t want to use water at all. If water can get to the bare wood (either through worn off wax or the seams between the oak boards) the minerals in the water react with tannic acid in the oak and form black stains.
On my poly-finished floors I use a swiffer pad with a homemade microfiber cover to dust. When the floors actually need cleaning I mist the floor with a spray of rubbing alcohol and water and wipe up and dry with an old towel. The alcohol/water mix is like window cleaner and does not streak. My floors are 20 years old and still look like new and have the original shine.
TikiKrissy says
All of the homes that my husband and I have lived in have had hardwood floors (18 years). I recommend that you NOT use Murphy’s Oil Soap, I have found that it leaves a residue. See website: http://www.woodfloordoctor.com/_product_reviews/articles/cleaning_with_murphys_oil_soap.shtml
I do recommend Bona Hardwood Cleaner, which can be bought at Home Depot or on Amazon.
Good luck!
Rebecca says
If you have pets, get a swiffer – absolutely the BEST for picking up pet hair off floors. As far as cleaning – we use the water/vinegar combo for a safe combo.
Naomi says
I am new to hard wood floor too and am loving Murphy’s Oil soap – recommended by a friend. You wouldn’t want to do vinegar on your floors bc it’s not good for wood – fyi.
Naomi says
I am new to hard wood floor too and am loving Murphy’s Oil soap – recommended by a friend. You wouldn’t want to do vinegar on your floors bc it’s not good for wood – fyi.
b says
We recently moved to wood floors too. I’ve been just sweeping, and when we have the furniture all set, I’ll mix up the Murphy’s Oil Soap I have to be used to clean the floor a bit more than sweeping does.
Rachel says
2nd the Murphy’s oil soap. I use a reusable cloth that’s damp on a swiffer broom. I have a spray bottle with a little Murphy’s and water already mixed and just spray and wipe. Mixture it’s also good on boogers on paint FYI.
Lisa says
You may want to consider contacting your property manager or landlord with the question. The reason I say this is because it looks like the protective finish is wearing off. We had an engineered wood floor with similar finish wear, and it quickly got worse. I don’t know if the cleaners I used contributed. If you follow the landlord’s suggestion and the finish gets worse, you will at least have done your due diligence.
Several years ago, we did replace our floor with sand and finish hardwoods with a polyurethane finish. The installer recommended Bona. I use that and sometimes just water with spot cleaner for tough spots. We haven’t had finish wear issues apart from normal wear and tear.
Kate @ Kate Land says
A steam mop! I do not have one yet but I’ve been wanting one since I used my mothers. It is very pet safe. I love that you’re not using and chemicals. My floor came out completely streak free and cleaner than it’s ever looked. And you can just put the mop pads in the washer which I feel is much more sanitary than a sponge type mop.
Kara says
When I was in college I cleaned for a lady who told me to use NOTHING on her wood floors except vinegar and water. I think the ratio was 1/2 cup white vinegar to one gallon warm water.
Meghan says
We recently had our floors refinished. The guys who did our floors told me about the Bona system. We love it, it is kid safe too:) My little guy loves to help his mama clean our floors! We use the swiffer dry mop in between cleanings.
Kristy says
I just bought the swiffer vac which is great. I use the bona system to mop. That is what is recommended by wood floor conpanies to keep them in good shape.
Tina says
Get a mop from Norwex! We just moved to a house with wood floors too & I purchased a Norwex mop. Love it!
cathy says
The easiest and most frugal way is just vinegar and water. You will love the shine!
Tracey says
I use a wool dust mop every few days for dust and dog hair. You should also sweep up debris and rocks which can scratch the floors. I use a special wood cleaning spray and a washable mop head – they were a set. The biggest thing is that you don’t want to get them really wet so no mop and bucket. You will love how clean hardwood feels and so easy to clean.
Alicia says
That’s what I like too. I use a swiffer mop and keep a spray bottle in the linen closet with 1 part white vinegar, 4 parts water. I do add a little squeeze of a concentrated cleaner (Shaklee’s Basic H). I don’t have a filmy residue left on the floor and no chemicals. My process is just sweeping with a broom, then I spray a large area and mop with the swiffer. I go back over if there are spots or let the spots sit longer with more spray. I’m really happy with this method and have used it for about a year. I just throw the mop attachment in the wash when I’m done. Our socks used to be soo dirty walked around before I started cleaning this way. I do the same thing on our kitchen linoleum.
Sheila Nielsen says
My family lived in a refurbished farmhouse with hardwood floors for almost 8 years. We found the easiest way to be vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle, then just spray the floor and mop it up with a microfiber dry mop (the mop “heads” are removable and washable). We also did a very thorough cleaning maybe twice a year, moving furniture and using an actual mop and bucket, with someone following behind with a towel to dry (not much fun, but really effective).
You also may want to consider using a dry-cloth Swiffer Sweeper before mopping and after your regular sweeping. We found that this made a HUGE difference in getting up all of the dust that would accumulate on the floors, and it made mopping much easier (otherwise the dry mop would be filthy before we were halfway done). You’ll be amazed at how much the Swiffer will pick up!
Sheila Nielsen says
P.S. Also vinegar shouldn’t take the finish off!
Susan says
Murphy’s oil soap seems to work well and not leave any residue. I use it on tile and counters too!
Brandette says
I used to use the Method floor cleaner that smells like almonds. Over time I noticed that it was leaving terrible streaks. I switched to using the Rubbermaid Reveal mop and using straight vinegar on them. Vinegar has antibacterial properties so it worked wonders having a toddler playing on the floors all day and sticking things in his mouth. I have been completely happy with this solution.
We recently sold our home and are staying in an apartment temporarily while our new home is being built. The apartment we are in has the standard vinyl flooring in the kitchen and baths. The vinegar solution wasn’t cutting it, so I tried this. It smells so GOOD!
I recently purchased the new Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle gel cleaner in the Gain scent. Love this stuff!
Lora says
According to company who refinished our floors in our house built in 1920 the only to be used is white vinegar using a regular mop
Rachel Wing says
I have had finished hardwood floors going on 9 years…with 4 small children. We sweep daily, vacuum often, and spot mop with microfiber cloths and bona floor cleaner as needed. I do have a shark steam mop that I use to disinfect and really clean once a month, but I found that it doesn’t leave a nice shine so if I steam mop, I usually go over it with a microfiber cloth and some bona to shine it up.
Cheryl says
Murphy’s Oil Soap, bucket of warm water, and old rag …. down on my hands and knees. SMELLS SO CLEAN!!
For quick jobs I have a swiffer.
Arlene says
I use Bono cleaner for wood floors to clean after mopping with a microfiber cloth. Love the Bono as it is made precisely for this purpose.
Merrilee Stevenson says
Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve been here (just had baby #6 in April). So y’all moved to TN? I guess I have some catching up to do!
We have hardwood floors throughout our home. I sweep multiple times during the day (usually after meals or other messes are made), and mop…well it’s been a while since we mopped! Ideally, once a week would be great.
I’ve been known to get the kids involved by turning on fun music, making soap smoothies with Murphy’s Oil Soap in the blender, and pouring it on the floors. They skate around in fuzzy socks while I mop with a microfiber mop to clean it up. I love the smell of Murphy’s (better than vinegar) ; it’s easy on the skin, and can be used on woodwork and other surfaces.
God bless y’all in your new home!
Jen Mc says
Do you have real hardwood flooring or a laminate wood floor…..this will make a HUGE difference in how you should clean it.
We have laminate and I hate it, it always looks streaked and I can’t find the right combo of cleaning “utensil” and “formula” – water/vinegar/dawn with a washcloth on a swifter or hands and knees seems the best but never truly seems clean ;-(
susie says
Ours is the same. We have the bamboo and I like the look but I have not found a good way to clean it. I have been looking through these answers to see if anyone had a good suggestion. I want to rewax it but am not sure if it would work on bamboo.
Alli says
I’m sure a lot of people will tell you to use vinegar, and that can be fine depending on the type of finish you have, but I’d encourage you to be careful. Vinegar can strip the finish off of your floors after lots of use and well…. that just stinks! We use a Synteko concentrate that I spray and a Bona mop, I do it once a week but we vacuum and sweep almost daily (I so regret these wood floors after living with tile my whole life, it hid SO much more! 😉 Good luck, I hope you find a really good routine!
Jama says
Good old hands and knees with vinegar water
Sarah L says
I agree with everyone who said the Norwex wet and dry mop! Dry for everyday and the wet for normal cleaning. You never have to worry with having a cleaning solution because you just use water!
Shelly says
I use a damp microfiber mop after sweeping or vacuuming. It works really well. My relative who installs hardwood floors recommends using a vinegar/water mixture on a rag, wiping with the grain of the wood. Then dry. I used the vinegar mixture for years until I purchased the microfiber mop.
Heather says
I have all wood floors and 6 pets and we live in the country. My floors get plenty dirty. I LOVE the Hoover floormate! It vacuums, sucks up water and washes your floors! It reduced the amount of time I spent by about 75%! I especially love it for when my boys splash in the tub! I get it out and it sucks up all the water on the bathroom floor!
Kathy says
I don’t have hardwood floors but do have laminate wood floors. I have changed my methods so many times trying to get an easy routine that works well.
Coach says
What do you use for laminate then?
Stephanie says
Microfiber flat mop and a pH neutral floor cleaner. Some people will tell you to use windex on wood floors for a quick clean and shine but windex will damage your wood over time. Murphy’s Oil Soap leaves a nice shine. I know a lot of people like Bona but I have never been impressed with it. It seems to leave smudges once they are walked on.
Mrswoodencrawdad says
Norwex mop. I see I’m not alone in this endorsement. : )
Ps- stoked to see how The Lord has clearly gone before you in this transition. Thank you for sharing!
Happy mopping. ; )
Pam Smith says
I vacuum mine, which removes every speck of dust and hair. For washing I use my homemade orange cleaner (vinegar and orange peels – there’s a million recipes on pinterest ) diluted with hot water and an old towel. Some people say they put a drop of dish soap in too, but I do not. Perfect clean, perfect shine and cost next to nothing.
Christy Kerr says
I wish comments had a like button (guess I am too attached to Facebook) because then I could just like all the previous comments saying:
NORWEX MOP
All you need to keep your floors clean!! All with only water, who could ask for a better combo. It may cost a bit more than other things but it is completely worth it. Have a Norwex show so you can earn it for free, or just take the plunge…you won’t regret it.
Jen says
We had oak hardwood floors installed about 5 years ago from a fine hardwood sawmill company. They recommended Squeaky Clean. And they said not to use vinegar/water mix. http://www.amazon.com/Squeaky-Concentrate-Commercial-Residential-Hardwood/dp/B001FVW1P0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399676737&sr=8-1&keywords=squeaky+clean+floor+cleaner
I just saw that the last time I purchased it was in 2011! The gallon container has lasted over 3 years! It’s a concentrate that you dilute with water into a spray bottle. Then we used a mop system that has washable pads. The floors look great, as nice as they did when first installed. It doesn’t remove the finish.
Julie says
As others have stated, steam mops should not be used on unsealed floors. If you can see little cracks between the boards the steam will get in and warp the floors. When our house was built they also told us not to use Murphy’s Oil Soap. Said it would dry the wood out. Our floors are made by Bruce and we use the Bruce’s cleaner on it. I have a large mop with a washable terry cloth pad that I run over it most every day. Then I use the Bruce’s cleaner as needed.
Liliane says
I use Method wood floor cleaner. Cleans well and smells great (contains almond oil)
Nancy Wilbur says
What Julia said! Norwex mop and water….
Sandy says
I have had hardwood floors in three of the four homes we have owned. For almost fifty years, I have vacuumed them daily and used a wood cleaner. DO NOT USE A STEAM CLEANER! You will ruin them. Bona is the best cleaner I have ever used. Our floors looked as good when we sold these homes as when we had them put in. Use a mop of your choice.
Deb says
I second Boma! Our floor are six years old and still look brand new. They are satin finish prefinished hardwood, by the way.
I haven’t done a ton of research, but in my mind water is the enemy of wood so hot steam will never touch my floors. And I can’t stand the smell of vinegar so that’s out!
Luba says
I use a multipurpose detergent that I clean almost everything else in my house with. It’s less than $.50/gallon when diluted for household use! It is gentle on the skin and also biodegradable. 🙂
Here’s a picture: http://tinyurl.com/m3p9d2o
Anna says
E-cloth microfiber mop — significantly cheaper than Norwex. A few years ago Real Simple rated it the best. I sweep a few times a week and then use the e-cloth mop probably once a week.
Janna says
I do a combination of everything….yes, vinegar is acidic and should not be used every time. I do use it once in a while though. I also just sometimes use a damp mop, get on my hands and knees, and use Murphy’s Oil Soap. I figure this way I am not doing any one thing all of the time.
Wanda says
It really depends on whether they are sealed or not. We have had some kind of wood floors for 20+ years now. Ours are currently the sealed kind. I do a routine once or twice a year where I thoroughly sweep, mop with some mild all purpose cleaner, let it dry all the way and then use Bona or Minwax products that are shine reviver. You do a section at a time, squirt the product and spread it out, let it dry and it gives a wonderful shine. I do two coats if time permits. It is then a breeze daily to mop with water only or a mild all purpose cleaner or vinegar. I switch it up!
Also I try and swipe the Reviver the same direction as the wood grains although this is probably just me being picky
GOOD LUCK and I love your blog, I look forward to it every day.
Sarah says
We don’t have the kind that you can clean with a steam mop … it will damage them. We use a big dry dust mop – like the ones that you see used on basketball courts. Then if there’s a spill we wipe it up with wood cleaner (you can do homemade too) and a rag.
Rachel says
We had hardwood floors installed in our kitchen area 5 years ago. In researching how to clean them I read that a canister-style vacuum cleaner was best, so that is what I have been using. The gentleman that put the finish on (I chose a high gloss) said to not use cleaners like pledge etc. just use plain water and then hand dry or use a little vinegar in the water. If we did not use special cleaners – he said he could come back in 4-5 years and buff the floor and add another coat of finish and the floor would look brand new. But if we used cleaners, the finish would not adhere to floor (think oil/water) and he would have to strip it, sand it and refinish it. Our floors still look brand new. I will spot mop spills when I see them but have actually mopped/hand dried the floors very few times. I use a small canister vacuum for regular cleaning. We do not have children/pets though. 5 years later I can say I still love my floors! Thinking about putting hardwood down throughout the rest of the house – but the logistics of that is daunting. We chose real hardwood, sanded with a finish added as opposed to the prefinished type.
WilliamB says
For me, the best and most efficient way is a housecleaner. ;-> More useful for is the info that my housecleaner uses Murphy’s Oil Soap.
Ilyssa Roberts says
Crystal, I think you’d love the Norwex Mop system. It’s literally the reason I signed up to sell Norwex! It comes with two mop pads, one wet and one dry. It utilizes Norwex’s amazing microfiber, which picks up everything it comes in contact with! I promise, you will not be disappointed!
http://www.norwex.biz/PublicStore/event/377771/AM/catalog/Floor-Systems,199.aspx
Courtney says
If you have a Swiffer dry mop, you can use your damp Norwex cloth and stick it into the holes for the Swiffer cloths. 🙂
Mary Ann says
Most of the time I sweep our hardwood floors with the vacuum cleaner; we have a dog so using the “sucker” attachment around baseboards and in tight spots really helps get the hair up!
I also use a dust mop and a regular broom and dustpan.
For mopping, I use a vinegar/water mixture with a few drops essential oils added for scent. I’ve also used Murphy’s Oil Soap in the past. I’ve had great success with both methods–the vinegar/water is cheaper!
Cambria says
I would highly recommend the Norwex dry and wet mop system as well. We moved into our house about 2 years ago and it was the first time I had wood floors as well. I have a less expensive system for the first year and always felt like our floors were dusty/dirty. I purchased the Norwex system and it does a FABULOUS job! It is very easy to use and our floors always seems to look good now. They also have a neat attachment devise to put your Norwex enviro cloths on the mop handle to get hard to reach areas like high windows, fans, etc. Overall, really happy with our purchase and it’s something that will last a long time 🙂 Congrats on your move and getting settled in your new home!
Emily says
I use a Libman mop (bought at Target) where you can add your own cleaner to it. Found a great cleaning solution recipe on Pinterest.
1 cup hot water
1 cup rubbing alcohol
1 cup white vinegar
2-3 drops dishwashing soap
Essential oils (if desired)
Add all that to your mop and it is easy, cheap, and does a great job!
Kelly says
Our entire first floor has hardwoodfloors with the exception of the bathroom. I use the Hoover Floormate Deluxe with plain water. This does not steam and wont warp or damage the wood. The floormate also drys the floor. Now I’m not trying to keep kids away from slippery wet floors. I suggest reading the reviews… many people, myself included switched from a steam mop and will never go back 🙂
Jennifer says
I also use the Hoover Floormate Deluxe, although I use the solution they included. I’ve had it for a couple of months and LOVE it! It does the scrubbing for you and has a special attachment that is gentle enough for wood. You have to sweep or vacuum first. Then fill up the solution tank with water and solution choose whatever attachment you need (there is one included for tile and grout) and you are ready to go! It has two modes of operation, clean and dry. The clean mode activates the spinning scrubbing brush and dispenses cleaning solution. The dry mode sucks up the water so your floor is left dry. I had the bissell steam mop before I bought this and at first I thought I loved it but over time I realized it didn’t clean the stuck on dirt and spills (no scrubbing feature), it always left streaks on my hardwood floor, and it would sputter and leave puddles of water that I would later have to mop up with a towel (not supposed to use lots of water on hardwood).
KS says
Yep! Murphy’s oil soap is the best- it smells good, works great and it’s 98% natural!
Alaina says
Honestly, I sweep or dry mop it (buy a dry mop with a pad you can wash – so much longer lasting!) and then I use a vinegar/filtered water solution in a spray bottle and a Swiffer wet jet to mop. It works better than anything I have tried. I have started using old washcloths or rags on the Swiffer wet jet so I don’t have to keep buying the pads. In my opinion, if you already have a mop/Swiffer that will suffice until you want/can afford a steam mop. We have lived with wood floors for most of our 10 year marriage, and this is what I have always used – even with a cat in the house.
Misty Nicole Overstreet-Roberts (The Lady Prefers To Save) says
My aunt who owns a professional cleaning business for over twenty years taught me to clean my wood floors. First, vacuum daily with a non-beater bar vacuum. Second, she used a homemade solution of 3 cups water, with 1/4 cup vinegar, and 10 drops pine essential oil, and using a spray bottle, cleaned floors every second or third day; she alternated this with using pledge on a dust mop on the even days to keep her floors polished. She never takes more than 20 minutes a day to vacuum and once-over the floors. Also, she said to never use a steam mop, as overtime it can damage floors. Moreover, she only wears sock in her home as well. My aunt has had the same wood floors since before I was born, and they look showroom new! She learned this from my grandmother, who still has floors, cabinets, trimwork, and a wooden den with inlay shelves, which are just as clean! This is also what I use, and it saves me over $150.00 annually over store bought cleaners!
Sarah says
We have bamboo floors. I have a shark vacuum which I just use the bare floor setting (no rotating brush) for crumbs/dust/hair and I use a Hoover steam mop. I don’t use the cleaning solution sold for it though because it leaves streaks. I just use plain water. So far this has worked well for us.
Kim says
( have wood floors in most of my house & love them!! I like them so much better than carpet. They are much better for allergy sufferers too!!
1. I sweep with a broom & dust pan in the main living areas every 1-2 days. It’s so much quicker & easier than pulling the vacuum out all the time. (I just purchased a new dust pan yesterday at Dollar Tree for $1). I have a Swiffer dry mop that I occasionally use to dust under furniture. (I reuse the Swiffer Cloth over & over again, so one box of the cloths have lasted me for years!)
2. I occasionally mop with Pledge Wood Floor Cleaner using a sponge mop
both of which I purchased at WalMart. I had a chemical reaction when I used to switch brands, which made the floors look horrible. I ended up stripping them with Armstrong Floor Cleaner & ammonia, & then used the Pledge. The Pledge leaves a shiny finish. I’ve stuck with Pledge ever since. I do not recommend switching between brands, however I may try the vinegar/water for more frequent cleaning.
3. I also use “Moving Men” to place under furniture legs whenever moving/sliding furniture, so I don’t scratch the floors. Soft, clean towels can work too. Make sure they’re clean because any dirt, gravel, etc can scratch the floors.
Tammy says
I bought a steam mop a year+ ago, and after a lot of research settled on this one: http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Enviro-Hard-Surface-Steamer-313A/dp/B001LYFBHG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399664525&sr=8-1&keywords=enviro+mop . It works so well! I love it!
Georgia says
I agree with the microfiber mop and water technique…but the e-cloth mop is cheaper than the Norwex and works wonderfully well for me!
Amy says
Yes! LOVE my ecloth mop!
The Coupon "High" says
I had always thought that vinegar and water was the best because my parent’s were told that when they first got wood floors 20+ years ago. However, I did some reseach and it turns out that the acidity level in vinegar is too high and will wear down your finish. I’ve been told the best thing is a bit of Murphy Oil Soap with water and wipe on and dry immediately. My floors aren’t shiny sealed so I don’t use steam on them.
Meagan says
Ditto on Murphy’s Oil soap. I vacuum or sweep to get the crumbs/dust up several times a week, then occasionally (like 4 times a year) get on my hands and knees to deep clean with a solution of Murphy’s and warm water. For icky spills, I just wipe up with a damp rag.
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
Yup. House I used to clean in college had hardwood floors. She had me use Murphy’s Oil Soap.
Martha says
You cannot beat Murphy’s wood oil soap. I use the tiniest amount in water, you could fix it in spray bottle so it is always available.
Microfiber mop (see flylady’s for a great one) nearly dry. I was able to rescue very dingy dirty wood floors that we thought would need to be refinished.
They came out beautifully!
Naomi says
Agree – learned the same thing about vinegar. It’s easy to use and very good on other surfaces, but not wood – even finished wood – bc of the acidity.
D says
The manufacturer of my hardwood floors says do not use steam. The heat is not good for the finish. Obviously you don’t want to use copious amounts of water. I use a dry swiffer with vacuum for daily (use your own soft cloth instead of buying refill cloths), and use a damp cloth for deeper cleaning with a small amount of mild detergent. Dust will be your main enemy. Any vacuum can be used as long as you are careful not to scratch. I think you will love the hardwood floors once you get used to them. They are on almost every homebuyer’s wish list in Tennessee.
merrie says
I used to use vinegar and water and noticed a dullness appearing on my floor. I now use a steam mop and LOVE it! I sweep daily and mop a couple of times a week. (2 dogs and 3 small children). Its quick easy and cheap b/c pads are washable.
Amy R says
We just had our wood floors installed, and on the way out, the salesman said, “By the way, don’t get sucked into buying commercial floor cleaners. Fill a spray bottle with 50/50 water and vinegar and use whatever mop you want.” That’s what I did and it works great. I have a steam mop but I can’t seem to get it to stop leaving streaks, plus they’re pretty pricey. I did invest in this mop http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Reveal-Spray-Mop-Kit/dp/B00FEBARJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399663089&sr=8-2&keywords=rubbermaid+reveal+mop. I found it much cheaper at Target. I have extra pads and an extra bottle. I also purchased 2 dust mop pads from amazon. All the pads are washable and reusable so there’s no waste. I have one bottle with vinegar/water and one with pinesol/water. They are clearly marked. There are even coupons available occasionally for this mop and it’s accessories. Just be sure that if you purchase this mop it’s the newer model with scrubber on the front. The older model had trigger issues.
Anna says
I own this mop as well. I do not have hardwood floors, but I purchased it based on the recommendation of a blogger who does and loves it for hers. Its best features are its total reusability and the option of using any cleaner one wants. I have the older model, which has worked fine, but I like the changes made to the newer one! I find this mop to be the most helpful in winter when boots track salt and dirt into the kitchen. It makes cleanup quick and lessens the amount of time I spend on my hands and knees.
Denise says
I use this: http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP092077
I love that I can mix up my own solution and wash the microfiber pad. I also love that I can spray as little or as much as I want to. Plus I love the rubbermaid brand!
Nancy says
Water with a little vinegar for light cleaning. I use the Libman mop that allows you to put your own solution in the tank. A lot of floor cleaners leave a hazy film..
Jacki says
I use this on mine and it works great. Reusable pad makes it environmentally friendly. I use vinegar and water as well.
Nancy says
I use my iRobot vacuum every day,, and then I use a steam cleaner about once a week… but make sure they are sealed hard wood floors before you steam them so they don’t start to buckle. I use my Swiffer with the wet cloths for a quick clean as well.
Steph says
How so you know if they are sealed? We are looking at buying a house and it has all hardwood floors. This will be a first for us, so I am clueless. I love my steam mop though.
Nancy says
I think as long as they have a shiny coat on the top you are safe!
I’m excited for you and your new house adventure!!!
Summer says
I have hardwood floors too and I always thought you couldn’t use a steam mop because it would damage the wood. I have one that I use for linoleum, and I would LOVE to use it on my hardwoods–those of you who recommended it? You’ve never had a problem with warping or stripping?
Lana says
I use a microfiber mop with washable pads that can be used dry or with plain water. I also use a cordless electric broom for areas that need crumb/debris clean-up. They are a a lot of work to keep clean. We have had real hardwood floors in most of our house for over 20 years and it seems that they are never clean even now that the kids are grown. I seem to be grabbing the cordless electric broom nearly everyday for clean up somewhere in the house. But, they are so much easier for spills, etc. than carpet. You will also probably see an improvement in allergies without carpet.
Lea Stormhammer says
I use a dry dust mop or a broom and dust pan most of the time. For damp spills I used a damp mop. With the finish we have on our floors, twice a year I wash with a soap/finish combo designed for wood floors and the finish we have (ours is an older type of finish rather than a modern one).
I find my wood floors to be way more low-maintenance than our vinyl or carpet but we also don’t allow food and only allow water in those rooms so we don’t have to worry about much other than dust and dirt.
I love my wood floors and I hope you enjoy yours too.
Sounds like your new house is a winner!
Lea
Mona says
I had something like this – http://www.amazon.com/Quickie-Professional-Hardwood-Floor-Mop/dp/B000KKKMWG/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1399661622&sr=8-12&keywords=wood+floor+mop and I used Pledge for wood floors (I think it was pledge). I found both of them at WalMart. I liked the mop because the pad was washable.
jennifer says
I use swiffer steamboost. Cleans super plus smells so good.
Denise says
I just checked out their site and it says “Do not use on waxed or unfinished wood floors” so I’m not sure I should use it because the apartment we rent has waxed our floors…
Amie says
I use my vacuum to get the dirt up every few days. And my Shark steam mop to “deep” clean every week or so.
Simple, Easy, Frugal says
For basic cleaning I use a Libman All-Purpose Microfiber Flat Mop with just water.
For deeper cleaning – I’m on my hands and my knees with a vinegar/water mixture (seems to do fine) and rags.
Kelli says
Same here. Microfiber mop with plain water, and then water/vinegar mix for occasional deep cleaning. I have a very old house with hardwood floors and did some online research to come up with the water/vinegar mix being the gentlest and most effective thing… and it’s cheap!
Simple, Easy, Frugal says
Exactly! And water works just fine for daily mopping (as if I did such a thing). 😉
Lydia @ The Thrifty Frugal Mom says
Totally agree! I occasionally add a tiny squirt of Dawn dish soap if the floors are extra sticky. (Thanks to our little ones.)
Simple, Easy, Frugal says
Oh, I’ll try that under the table where it’s extra sticky!
Sarah says
I have always used my Shark steam mop on my wood floors. It works great!
Melody says
After using steam mop for a long time I realized that it’s actually taking off the wax finishing on the wood flooring. Be very careful with those. I changed to libman mop and use vinegar and water mix or put some natural cleaner in it.
Amy says
I second the Shark Steam Mop! We love ours. Easy to use and since you only use water you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals. You just toss the microfiber pads in the wash when you are done cleaning your floor. Highly recommend!
Nancy says
Shark steam mop works the best for us!!!!
HG says
I use haan steam mop. Got it from amazon. Works great. You can eat off the floor, they’re that clean afterwards 🙂 but I don’t.
KT says
Shark Steam Mop all the way! We purchased a gently used one off Craigslist for $20! Definitely worth it. Only uses waters, and the cloth pads are easy to toss in the washer to clean them.
Lori says
We use a scooba. It works a charm, and does the work for us.
Amanda says
Vacuum and then steam mop. Swiffer WetJet also works but I’ve noticed streaks. A steam mop was the best I’ve found. Enjoy your new home!
[email protected] says
Norwex dry and wet mop!
Kathy says
I concur with Norwex. But for deeper cleaning a stream mop works great. Gets dirt from between boards.
Kristina says
I’ve never used Norwex, but I definitely agree with the steam mop. I’ll just warn you – don’t get the one Aldi sells from time to time. I love the store, but their steam mop is terrible. I love a deal, and theirs was the cheapest so I bought it – twice. The first one broke after three uses, and the second only worked once. I would recommend spending a bit more up front for a better one that will last.
Courtney says
That’s interesting, because I’ve had mine for a couple of years and it’s worked great. I’m sorry you’ve had such a bad experience with yours! 🙁
nikki says
Don’t use a steam mop. Over time it will strip the finish….it’s hot water!
Karen says
My vote is also for Norwex!! Works great on wood floors!
Amy says
Yes Norwex!
Nancy Wilbur says
What Laura said! No cleaners or chemicals, just water!