High-quality hardwood floors can be time consuming and expensive to install, but they can also elevate the look of a home.
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With that in mind, keeping your hardwood floors clean is important, especially if you want them to last for years.
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But you should be mindful of how you're cleaning (and what you're using on) your hardwood floors.
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“Water and hardwood floors just don’t get along,” says Will Cotter, the owner of cleaning company HappyCleans.
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It’s better, instead, to focus more on using the right mop, appliances and cleaning solutions when taking care of hardwood.
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Everyone has their own take on the best way to clean hardwood floors, but I spoke with actual cleaning professionals, including Cotter, to find out the best way to clean wood floors without warping them.
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My colleagues and I also tested a few products.
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I spoke with cleaning experts for their guidance and product recommendations.
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All the cleaning products below are either direct recommendations from them, products NBC Selected editors have used to clean their floors or are highly rated with at least a four-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon.
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editors → use → Amazon
The best mops for hardwood floors
The Bona hardwood floor spray mop, which comes with machine-washable microfiber cloths, comes recommended by both Cotter and Kadi Dulude, owner of the cleaning service Wizard of Home, who says it’s a favorite at her company.
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The spray is convenient and sprays an even mist on the floor,” she says.
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“The result is a beautiful, gleaming floor.”
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The mop comes with a cleaning solution that attaches to the base of the mop.
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The plant-based solution also dries quickly after application and doesn’t leave streaks or visible residue, according to the brand.
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solution → base → brand
The brand sent me a sample of this floor cleaning kit to test and I love how fast it is to set up
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It comes with two batteries, an extra mop pad and the bottled solution locks into the compartment easily.
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Plus, all I had to do was press the button on the top to spray the solution from each side of the end of the mop.
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It sprays the perfect amount, the solution dries fast and it does a great job of cleaning up dust.
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It also collapses down if you want to store it in a cabinet.
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This spin mop has two circular microfiber, machine-washable pads (it comes with six total) that attach to the end and spring simultaneously to clean and buff hardwood floors.
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It also has a built-in sprayer to apply solution directly to dirt and debris, which you apply with the press of a button on the top of the handle.
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Aside from hardwood, it’s also suitable for tile, linoleum and more.
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NBC Selected social video producer Josh Rios has this popular spin mop and loves how much the built-in wring system takes the strain out of mopping.
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“This actually makes mopping more like a game and less like a chore which I sincerely enjoyed.
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It does take [up] a little bit of space but it’s so worth it,” he says.
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Each microfiber pad lasts for up to 3 months, the bucket holds more than 1.5 gallons of water and the handle is extendable up to 48 inches.
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It’s also available in a version that separates the clean and dirty water.
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While it isn’t a mop, this duster is so perfect for cleaning dust on hardwood floors — especially when it’s around baseboards or under furniture — that I thought it was worth highlighting.
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NBC Selected reporter Zoe Malin uses this to clean up her floors and home, which helps a lot as she’s a dog and cat owner.
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she → use → floors
The handle extends to 3 feet and the end of the duster bends, making it easy to clean the top of ceiling fans and shelves.
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The kit comes with 12 attachment refills.
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The best cleaning solutions for hardwood floors
This set includes both a wood-safe cleaning solution and a polish restorer, which adds extra sheen to hardwood floors.
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You can squeeze a small amount of the cleaning solution directly onto the floor or add it to the compartment of a spray mop and apply it that way.
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Afterward, simply allow the floors to dry and then add the polish restore solution to make them look shiny and refreshed.
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You can use Method’s plant-based, almond-scented solution to clean residue from dirty hardwood floors, though you can also apply it to laminate floors, too, according to the brand.
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Since there’s no rinse required, you can apply the solution with a clean microfiber pad and allow it to dry before applying your favorite wood floor polish.
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The best vacuums for hardwood floors
I’ve written a lot about vacuums, including many of Dyson’s popular cordless options, including the V11.
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This model has a runtime of one hour, weighs less than 7 pounds and comes with multiple attachments.
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Former NBC Selected reporter Harry Rabinowitz has owned the V10, a similar model, for more than five years and says that although it’s on the expensive side, it’s worth it.
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“It’s lightweight, portable, adjustable and has enough battery to clean my entire home.
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…and 26 more, not listed.
The Aporia
