How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Learn how to care for hardwood floors by using these natural cleaners and following these simple tips.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.
Mopping Wood Floors

Mopping Wood Floors

Hardwood floors bring an earthy, warm beauty to your home. They’re durable and, with proper care, last for decades. You can keep them looking lovely by following these tips on how to clean hardwood floors.

The first step: Use a dust mop or vacuum to remove dirt, dust, pet hair and other debris that could scratch the floor. Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment as it could damage the surface of the floor. Use the floor-brush attachment. Depending on traffic and the number of pets and children you have, you’ll need to do this at least once a week.

SHOP OUR FAVORITES

HGTV Editors Swear By These Vacuum Cleaners

Shop our editors' most-loved vacuum cleaners for every surface and budget.

Dust mopping won’t remove the dirt and grime that build up over time. For periodic deep cleaning, you’ll need to use a liquid cleaner. You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.

SHOP OUR FAVORITES

The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners, Tested by HGTV Editors

We mopped and sprayed our way through top-rated hardwood floor cleaners to help you choose the best solution for your home.

Whatever cleaner you choose, the process for how to clean wood floors and how to clean engineered hardwood floors is the same. Saturate a rag or sponge mop in your cleaning solution. Wring it out thoroughly so the mop is damp, not wet. Mop the floor with the cleaner, being careful to not put too much liquid on the floor. Rinse the mop with clean water, wring out excess, and damp mop the floor to remove the cleaner. Wipe up excess water with a clean, dry towel because standing water will damage the floor.

NATURAL SOLUTION

Mopping Floors With Vinegar

Learn the best ways to embrace this simple ingredient in your floor cleaning routine.

You can also use boiling water and two teabags to clean hardwood floors. The tannic acid in tea creates a beautiful shine. Let two teabags steep in the boiling water for a few minutes. Pour the tea into a bucket. Take a soft cloth and wring it out in the tea. The cloth merely needs to be damp, not soaked. This will enable the floor to dry quickly. Wash the floor and be ready to be amazed by the sheen.

Covering scratches that remain after cleaning is part of knowing how to clean a wood floor. Take a crayon the color of the floor and rub it on the scratch to fill the gap. Turn a blow dryer on high, heat the area where the crayon was applied and buff it with a soft cloth.

Prevent dirt and damage to your newly cleaned floors. Put doormats inside and outside exterior doors to cut down on the dirt and moisture tracked in. Avoid scratches by using floor protectors under furniture and putting down rugs in high-traffic areas. Knowing how to clean a wood floor will keep yours looking beautiful for years.

More Floor-Cleaning Tips

The Best Mops for Cleaning Any Surface

We share the best microfiber mops, steam-cleaning mops and spray mops for hardwood, tile and more.

How to Clean Laminate Floors

Keep your laminate floors looking like new with these simple, gentle cleaning techniques.

Next Up

How to Clean Vinyl Floors

Remove dirt, scuffs and stains from vinyl floors with these easy cleaning and maintenance tips.

How to Clean Wood Furniture

Say goodbye to water stains, ink marks and polish buildup on your wood furniture by following these simple cleaning tips and tricks.

How to Clean Wood Cabinets

Grime and grease don't stand a chance with these tips for cleaning wood cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom.

How to Clean a Humidifier

Improve your home's air quality by disinfecting one of the most important small appliances you’re probably forgetting to clean.

How to Clean Laminate Floors

Keep your laminate floors looking like new with these simple, gentle cleaning techniques.

How to Clean Your Fireplace

Keep your fireplace tidy between uses with these tips for cleaning the firebox, glass doors and accessories.

How to Clean Baseboards

Those tiny little ledges can get unsightly with dust and dirt pretty quickly. Learn the easiest way to get them clean with these four simple steps.

How to Clean Your Vacuum Filters

If your vacuum isn’t cleaning as well as it used to, a dirty filter may be the culprit. Learn how to clean a variety of vacuum filter styles to keep your machine working its best.

How to Clean Your Cellphone

Remove bacteria from your phone with these simple steps.

How to Clean Leather Shoes and Boots

Follow these simple steps to clean and condition your leather footwear regularly. Plus, get tips for removing tough stains, scuff marks and more.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.