We've posted a lot about cleaning hardwood floors and have always been surprised how many different products and methods everyone uses. Below find some of our favorite tips as submitted by readers like you:
Tips for Cleaning Hardwood Floors
• I've since moved to a 1920's cottage with honey colored wood floors and am using the same cleaner and over time I actually think the floors are looking a bit better as a result. I use this product
--Shasta
• Johnson & Johnson Paste Wax in the yellow can. I've had hardwoods for years and my mother before me - this is the best.
--mbinaustin
• I use a blend of Murphy's and Orange Glow wood cleaner - the Murphy's keeps the orange glow from being too slippery, and the Orange Glow keeps the Murphy's from leaving a dull residue.
--happydesigner
• I brew orange pekoe tea (the cheap stuff sold in bulk boxes) and use it on my floors after I have cleaned them, diluted in some warm water and applied via a regular sponge mop. Makes them lustrous (for their age) and the dog scratches are much less noticeable.
--kristin
• Method OMop smells the best
--LaDonnaNichole
• Bona Swedish floor system is the finest hardwood cleaner anyone can hope for. Never use water or Murphy's soap.
Bona cleans & restores in 1 easy step. Comes with cleaner, micro pad & mop. And it's green.
--right angle
• I use 50/50 hot water and vinegar, sometimes I add a few drops of lemon oil for fragrance. The vinegar cuts through the soapy residue left by Murphay's and other cleaners. Cheap, effective and non-toxic.
--Button
[image from Atelier de Granges
Related Reads:
• Help! Scratched up Hardwood Floors
• For the Love of Wood: Hardwood Floor Cleaners
• Ikea Balk vs Pergo
Comments (15)
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I like use Murphy's with water...and then go over with the Swifter Wet Jet
view Legsly39's profile
I've used Murphy's with water on my floors for the past 9 years and have never noticed any build-up of residue. I like Murphy's because it seems to keep my wood floors from drying out. I live in a dry climate and my unit is above the boiler room so the floors are warmed (and dried out) from below all winter long.
I do think I will try the Murphy's with Orange Glow to see if there is any noticeable difference in the shine.
view dmstudio's profile
Bona X is definitely the best, but can be hard to find. I think they have it at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
view schnei95's profile
Recently bought the Method Mop set for wood floors and love it! The almond scent is great and the finish is really nice. I always found Murphy's too waxy but maybe I was doing something wrong.
view azure's profile
Bona can also be found at Smart & Final. It's a wonderful product.
view aurelius's profile
Anyone have any advice for restoring dull and dreary wood floors? There are some worn and darkened spots, but they are not really in need of a full refinishing.
view Dulcibella's profile
I love Ecover's Natural Floor Cleaner. I add a capful of CitraSolv to the bucket, and it smells glorious! A citrus herbal smell. Does a great job, and I've never experienced build-up. I've used it on both parqueted floors and plank with success.
view ami_l's profile
The guy who refinished my floors said to only use vinegar and water to clean the floors. It does a great job.
I've also used Murphy's Oil Soap and it works well also.
view katcorr2003's profile
All of my life my mom used a cocktail of hot water, Murphy's Oil Soap and Future liquid floor wax and her floors looked great. I have done the same for the last 18 years and my floors are awesome. It smells good too.
view Kimberlina's profile
So many different ways to clean hardwood floors. I've been using a damp microfiber cloth wrapped around a Swiffer mop and it seems to work fine. I've tried Murphy's Oil Soap and it does seem to leave some product behind on the floor, but it's not very noticeable.
view jooly's profile
What about cleaning painted wood floors? I am never happy with how my floors look after mopping, I've tried everything, but they always look like there's a gray film on them when I'm done.
view nicolemari's profile
I've always heard that you shouldn't use Murphy's on floors with a polyurethane finish (which is the most common).
view chrisherbert's profile
I've totally evolved into using equal parts vinegar and vegetable oil - the shine lasts for a long time and it resists dust and dirt, plus it's nontoxic and super cheap.
view no accounting for taste's profile
I did my wood floors with BONA X- best $ I ever spent. They shine rather beautifully. I did use Bruce's also wasn't bad, like Bona X more.
view Aggie927's profile
Vacuum or broom, and then go over it with a sightly damp rag (tap water) on my StickMop. Same system works fine on my vinyl tile floors too. But the oil and vinegar sounds worth a try.
view Poster's profile