Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

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We are about to move into a new house and a large part of it has hardwood floors. I have never had hardwood floors before and I'm not sure of the best way to clean them.

I know some people mop them with pinesol or a similar product but I have also heard it argued that mopping is bad because the water damages the wood. Some people like a steam mop which I would assume would have a similar effect to the regular mopping but I'm not sure.

What do you use on your floors?

 

[North of Mouse]

We are about to move into a new house and a large part of it has hardwood floors. I have never had hardwood floors before and I'm not sure of the best way to clean them.

I know some people mop them with pinesol or a similar product but I have also heard it argued that mopping is bad because the water damages the wood. Some people like a steam mop which I would assume would have a similar effect to the regular mopping but I'm not sure.

What do you use on your floors?

We use a Bissel steam vac/mop on ours and have had no issues. We do set it on low, not high, steam - don't know if that will make any difference.

 

[Christine]

I've had hardwood floors for 20 years all over the house. If they have a polyurethane finish, then vinegar and a damp rag is what we use. Immediately followed by a dry rag to take up moisture. Have never had a problem doing this.

 

[fly girl]

I've had hardwood floors for 19 years. Tried everything from vinegar/water, pine-sol, swiffer hardwood wet jet, and steam mop. All of those can't compare to BONA. It is by far and away my favorite! Floor doesn't stay wet for long and maintains its shine. All the others dulled my floors.

I also adore my Miele vacuum between mops. I have a canister vac (it did take getting used to) but it's made for hardwood. That baby has suction like no other! But be mindful, if you have carpet get the upgraded Miele that's for both. I have the Titan. Also make sure its manufactured in Germany. Apparently some are made in Mexico and are subpar.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I used to use vinegar and water, but I had to do them twice - once to mop and a second time to dry them. I switched to a Haan steam mop about 10 years ago. Super easy and my floors get really clean.

 

[disney world dreamer]

we use the shark steam mop.
its not nearly as much ater as a regular mop would be and it dries within seconds so it doesn't have a change to really soak into the floor.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I've had hardwood floors for 19 years. Tried everything from vinegar/water, pine-sol, swiffer hardwood wet jet, and steam mop. All of those can't compare to BONA. It is by far and away my favorite!

A second vote for Bona. I have 60+ year old wood floors throughout the first floor that we've had refinished. This product was recommended by the floor pro. I use it with a microfiber mop maybe 3 or 4 times a year and use a swiffer dry mop and vacuum in between. The floors look brand new and beautiful.

 

[minnie mum]

The dealer who installed our hardwood 5 years ago recommended Bona hardwood cleaner and I love it. I used all kinds of products on the floors in our other houses and they never looked this good. They also were quite adamant about not using steam cleaners or water on the hardwood - only on the tiled floors.

 

[havaneselover]

Bona and a microfiber cloth. I bought Bona at Costco three years ago and haven't needed to replace it yet (1,000 square feet or so of hardwood).

 

[Poohforyou]

I use a dry swiffer to get up dust and dirt then use Bona spray cleaner and a microfiber mop. The Bona dries in less than a minute so it isn't hurting the floor. I personally wouldn't use a wet mop and water.