The Best Wood Floor Cleaner

Our wood floors have been looking pretty dirty for a while now, no matter how hard or often I mop. I usually see a residue on the floors after mopping, and I was looking for a better cleaning product to prevent that. Today, I discovered a secret gem, the best wood floor cleaner I’ve ever used!

We have three kids, a cat, and a dog. So, we easily have the need to vacuum and mop routinely and often. I use my robotic floor vacuum to keep the pet hair off the floors, but I still want my floors to shine and have that freshly mopped look. We have oak wood flooring throughout most of the home. I needed something that would not damage the wood.

I’m posting instructions and tips to show you how amazing your wood floors can look after using this product. I used Holloway House Quick Shine to mop and get great results on my ten year old wood floors. I will also share 5 other options you can use below.

Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.

Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.

The Best Wood Floor Cleaner to clean your wood floors:

1. Sweep or vacuum the floors first.

2. Squirt the Holloway House Quick Shine onto the area you want to mop. (Afraid of build-up? See diluting tip at the end of this post)

3.Use a dry mop pad to mop the solution all over the surface of the floor. I used a Swiffer mop with a dry floor pad attached to it to apply and spread it across the floor surface.

4.Allow to dry. Repeat as needed.

Special tip: If you use a fresh mopping pad each time you mop a new room, you’ll getter better results. You may use more product, but a clean pad will prevent you tracking dirt from room to room.

I am really impressed with the shine! Our house is about ten years old, and my floors appear new again.

Side note: Since I first posted this tutorial, I have had a spill on the floor. Cleaning up the spill took quite a bit of time as each time I mopped the floor, it remained very sticky. I suspect this is due to the “wax” effect this product has on wood floors. To prevent that, you can try diluting the product in some water. Regular use of this product can create a wax build-up, so be aware of that. If you are fearful of that happening, try testing the product on a small area before using it on the entire floor. Overall, though, I’m still very happy with the way this product works. 

Here are 5 other great wood floor cleaners you can try.

To achieve a shiny, clean wood floor, you need a quality wood floor cleaner. Here are some of the top options that are well-regarded for their effectiveness in making wood floors shine:

1. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner: This water-based cleaner is designed specifically for wood floors, and it is known for leaving a streak-free, shiny finish. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions, making it a safe choice for households.
2. Murphy Oil Soap: A classic choice, Murphy Oil Soap is made with 98% natural ingredients and effectively cleans wood surfaces, leaving them with a natural shine. It is particularly good for deep cleaning and maintaining the wood’s natural beauty.
3. Method Squirt + Mop Wood Floor Cleaner: This plant-based cleaner is easy to use and leaves floors shiny and clean. Its non-toxic formula makes it a good choice for homes with pets and children. It also has a pleasant almond scent.
4. Pledge Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner: Pledge is known for its cleaning products, and this wood floor cleaner is no exception. It effectively cleans and leaves a glossy, streak-free shine. It’s designed to be gentle on wood while providing a thorough clean.
5. Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner: Weiman’s formula is designed to gently clean and condition hardwood floors. It leaves a streak-free shine and enhances the natural beauty of the wood. It’s safe for use around children and pets.

Tips for Using Wood Floor Cleaners

• Read the Instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results and to avoid any potential damage to your floors.
• Use a Microfiber Mop: For applying the cleaner, a microfiber mop is often recommended as it can effectively clean without scratching the wood.
• Test in a Small Area: Before applying the cleaner to the entire floor, test it in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage.
• Avoid Excess Water: Wood floors are sensitive to water, so avoid using excessive amounts of cleaner. Damp mopping is usually sufficient.

These products are highly rated and should help you achieve a clean, shiny wood floor.

Is there a DIY wood floor cleaner I can make?

Yes, you can make an effective DIY wood floor cleaner using common household ingredients. Here are a couple of simple recipes:

Recipe 1: Vinegar and Water Solution

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 gallon warm water

Instructions:

1. Mix the white vinegar and warm water in a bucket.
2. Dampen a microfiber mop or cloth in the solution, then wring it out well to avoid excess water on the floor.
3. Mop the floor with the solution, ensuring it is only slightly damp.
4. Allow the floor to air dry or wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth.

Note: Vinegar is acidic and can dull some wood finishes over time, so use this solution sparingly and test it in a small area first.

Recipe 2: Vinegar, Water, and Essential Oil Solution

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 gallon warm water
• 5-10 drops of essential oil (such as lemon, lavender, or tea tree oil) for a pleasant scent and additional cleaning power

Instructions:

1. Mix the white vinegar, warm water, and essential oil in a bucket.
2. Dampen a microfiber mop or cloth in the solution, then wring it out well.
3. Mop the floor with the solution, ensuring it is only slightly damp.
4. Allow the floor to air dry or wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth.

Recipe 3: Olive Oil, Vinegar, and Water Solution

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 gallon warm water
• 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix the olive oil, white vinegar, and warm water in a bucket. Add essential oil if desired.
2. Dampen a microfiber mop or cloth in the solution, then wring it out well.
3. Mop the floor with the solution, ensuring it is only slightly damp.
4. The olive oil will add shine to the floor, so after mopping, use a dry microfiber cloth to buff the floor and enhance the shine.

Tips for DIY Cleaners

• Test First: Always test the cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolor the wood.
• Avoid Excess Water: Wood floors can be damaged by excessive moisture, so always use a well-wrung mop.
• Frequency: Use these solutions sparingly, especially those containing vinegar, to avoid potential long-term damage to the wood finish.

These DIY cleaners can be effective and safe alternatives to commercial products, helping you maintain a clean and shiny wood floor.

Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.

My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.

Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.

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Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.

Need to Declutter Every room? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below.

How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.

How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.

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New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:

Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email.

Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.

Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.

Step 3:   How do you remove clutter? How Do You Declutter Your Home?.…Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.”Declutter Your Home” checklists are provided in each email.

Step 4: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Use a timer and use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered. 

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Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com: 

14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered

How to Do A 1 Day Declutter

How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule

How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter

What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?

Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.

For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.

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