How to clean hardwood floors in the kitchen?

Kbh29473432
by Kbh29473432

What is the best way to clean hardwood floors in the kitchen?








  67 answers
  • Ken Ken on Oct 05, 2017

    Wood in the kitchen is great if you have (and you do) wood with one of the factory applied finishes. Only time you would have to worry is if your ice maker or dishwasher has an issue and sends a flood on the floor while you are on vacation. In that case it does not matter what kind of flooring you have. Home Depot sells a 32 oz spray bottle of Bruce cleaner for less than five bucks. No water, you just spray and run over it with a dry mop with a head that you can throw in the washer or a cloth. I have used this product and you will like it.

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Oct 01, 2017

    I use a product called Woodwise. You can order it on Amazon or directly from Woodwise. I've used it on my hardwoods for 8 years. First, clean and dust and get all the loose dirt up. Spray the Woodwise on in sections, take a clean rag, and wipe up all the stuck on stuff. I wouldn't use anything else as this has worked great on my floors for 8 years and there is no buildup or waxy residue.

  • Nancy Nancy on Mar 02, 2016
    The woodfloor installer told us yesterday, he only likes to use warm water... no cleaner
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 12, 2012

    As a hardwood floor installer, I recommend a damp (never wet) towel / mop. For stubborn areas, I use a swiffer type pad. The trick is go as dry as possible and use minimal amounts of cleaner. Keep in mind it's normally not the "wood" you are cleaning but the "poly finish" that has been applied to it. Water type product should NEVER be used on "non coated" wood...

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Sep 23, 2016
    Murphy's Oil Soap is great for first time cleaning and Bona is great for maintaining that look. They might need sanding and refinishing too.
  • Mar10714736 Mar10714736 on Sep 26, 2016
    I have always used a product called "PolyCare". It is a concentrated cleaner for anything sealed with polyureathene.(not spelled right but hope you know what I mean) Just sponge mop with this solution. It worked well for me.
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jan 28, 2019

    For wood floors:

    1 cup apple cider vinegar

    1 Tbsp Blue Dawn

    2 gallons hot water

    OR

    1 cup hydrogen peroxide

    2 gallons hot water


    For grout:

    1 cup white vinegar

    1 cup baking soda

    1 Tbsp blue Dawn

    2 gallons hot water

  • Julie Julie on Nov 08, 2016
    Hi Hardwood floors should not b soaked with water.If they r unsealed b very careful not to over wet,Use a lightly damp mop with a couple of drops of Eucalyptus oil in luke warm water.Mop floors as usual make sure not to over wet floors. The Eucalyptus oil will condition the wood .It is a natural solution .If u over wet u r wooden floors the boards overtime will swell and warp .If floors r sealed the same applies .You may also like to use O Ceda floor cleaner it is an oil based solution.Just remember less is more don"t over wet the floor.Hope I have helped have a good day.:)
  • Amanda Amanda on Jan 23, 2018

    I like to use Murphy's oil soap. I also purchased a Bissell Crosswave. It vacuums and washes at the same time. I love it for the suction while washing. Hard wood floors should never get too wet, just damp. This works perfect!

  • Mary M Braunlich Mary M Braunlich on Apr 22, 2017

    Without Chemicals:

    1. Clear the floor. Clear the floor area of any furniture that's easy to move. ...
    2. Dry-mop or vacuum floor. This gets rid of all surface dirt and debris.
    3. Mop floor, going with the grain. If your floors are polyurethaned, dampen a mop with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. ...

    4. Buff floor with a cloth


    With Chemicals:

    You can use any commercial grade cleaner like Bona. icon

  • Sharon Sharon on Apr 29, 2017

    I first go over them with a hyrdostatic cloth (from the dollar store) on a swifer mop. Gets all the bits, pine needles, dust bunnies etc. Then I use bona cleaner on a cloth type swifer that I got at Liquidator Lumber. These are bamboo floors. This has given me the best results.

  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Aug 01, 2017

    We use a product called Rejuvenate. You can get it at Walmart. It's a two step process, but removes the top layer of waxy grime left by other cleaners. We use the whole process once a month, and the second part weekly. It is amazing on hardwood and laminate floors, and believe me, we have tried EVERYTHING. It works really well. It's the only product that keeps footprints and smear marks away.

  • Rowgop (Pam) Rowgop (Pam) on Apr 16, 2018

    I used Holloway House for wood floors. I totally recommend it!

  • Kimarion Kimarion on Apr 22, 2017

    Wood installers told me white vinegar mixed in water best for hardwood floors!

  • Ter26632066 Ter26632066 on Jul 10, 2017

    We love using orange oil.


  • Janet Panos Janet Panos on Apr 16, 2018

    Hello! I use Bona floor products on my hardwood floors and have never been happier. I use their sweeper and their microfiber pad that is washabke. The cleaner is non toxic and leaves no residue — just a clean shine! Good luck!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 16, 2018

    Polyurethane Floor Varnish, but any finish will wear in time and need to be sanded and polished and re-finished in time.........

  • Dwp7470b Dwp7470b on Jan 02, 2019

    Use Mop & Glo. It works.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Sep 17, 2019

    1 cup windex to 3 cups of water and damp mop

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jan 24, 2018

    Water and vinegar is what we use too- does the trick, chemicals free!

  • Mad29883817 Mad29883817 on Oct 04, 2017

    Somerset’s Ultimate™ Wood Floor Cleaner

  • Chubby58 Chubby58 on Sep 25, 2017

    I use a product called Woodwise. It was left behind from the first owners. I just spray it on the floor in sections, then wipe all the dirt off, then get a clean towel and go over it again, as it drys quickly and it leaves your floors clean and shiney.

  • Sarah Beavers Sarah Beavers on May 30, 2017

    Unless you absolutely have to, never "Clean" your wood floor with a liquid. If you must mop just use a damp mop, other than that, dust mop and every few months or so polish the floor with something like Howard Feed n Wax wood polish and conditioner, or Bona, etc.

  • Staci Staci on Sep 11, 2017

    I have found white vinegar mixed with equal portions of water. Also method brand cleaners are great.

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 26, 2019

    Bona for hardwoods is a great cleaner and use the big swiffer-like tool with the terry pads. If the floors are real scratched up, use Rejuvenate.

  • Whatever you opt for, skip the oil soaps as those build up over time and dull your floor finish.

  • Susan Mays Susan Mays on Sep 15, 2017

    I always use Bona free & simple® Hardwood Floor Cleaner on all my hardwood floors, and if it is accumulated dirt over time, they have Bona PowerPlus®Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 08, 2019

    I like Method cleaners, as they rinse off easily and leave a nice shine.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 21, 2017

    Start with making a mixture of white vinegar and water 50/50 to remove the top layer of dirt. Then purchase the wood floor care system by Bona.


    If there is a existing residue left from cleaners, make a mixture of white vinegar and water 50/50 to remove the top layer of dirt. Once that is finished and dried, use the wood floor care system by Bona.

  • Maura White Maura White on Sep 14, 2019

    Steam mop or Norwex microfiber mop

  • Mary Mary on Apr 16, 2018

    White vinegar and water. Don't soak the floor though.

  • Connied804 Connied804 on Apr 25, 2018

    I swear by my Swiffer. It makes my life easier. They make a cleaning solution for hardwood floors. Not sure if this is the best way, but it's the easiest.


  • Dee W Dee W on May 15, 2012
    I too, had used Orange Glo for a short time( one bottle) because it can build up and then needs to be stripped just like mop and glo for tle. I didn't want to deal with that so I use the vinegar/water solution as well as a "tea wash" every 3 months.
  • Lynn Lynn on Mar 25, 2018

    pinesol hardwood floor cleaner

  • Beth Hubley Beth Hubley on Mar 25, 2018

    I highly recommend the mop system from Norwex. It cleans your floor with minimal water and no chemicals. I use my mop and a spray bottle filled with water and a couple drops of my favorite essential oil! It stays cleaner longer because there are no residual chemicals left behind to attract dirt and it looks gorgeous.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Jul 06, 2019

    I like Pledge.

  • Karen Karen on Apr 14, 2012
    We use the Shark Steam Mop and it cleans and sanitizes without using any chemicals, just water (use distilled water so no added minerals, etc), absolutely wonderful and it dries instantly.
  • Ruth K Ruth K on Apr 14, 2012

    Wipe with a damp rag is best. Don't forget to use proper English oil polish treatment at least 1x per year. But be careful until it really has dried - it is slippery. Go to the beach for the day, have a picnic. Let it dry well. will work as well on wood paneling too.

  • Brenda P Brenda P on Apr 19, 2012
    Hanover House makes wonderful products for hardwood floors. They have a No Bucket Floor Cleaner that is Great. If you really love your floors, you will check out this line of products. They also have a Floor Finish that brings dull hardwood floors and even ceramic tiles back to life.
  • Sharon E Sharon E on Apr 19, 2012
    I use just a quarter cup or less of Johnson's Wood Floor Cleaner in a spray bottle and dilute with water. I use a terry floor duster type "mop" (from Bed, Bath & Beyond) and spray a section of floor, then wipe it with the terry mop. I don't want to use a wrung out regular mop because it still puts too much water on the floor and often leaves streaks or spots. I add just a little of the Johnson's product for the shine. Using the spray bottle gives just the minimum amount of water to clean off dust and marks.
  • Jennie H Jennie H on Apr 19, 2012
    We use Orange Glow spray and a Dry Swiffer. It leaves them clean and shiny but a little slippery at first. My grandkids love it.
  • Cathy B Cathy B on Apr 20, 2012

    Vinegar strips the finish on the wood. Only use if you have build up and that would only be on a year at most. Will strip sealant on grout also. Just how chemistry works.

  • Joanne williamson Joanne williamson on Jun 10, 2015

    I use a cap full of Murphy's Oil soap to a quart spray bottle of water..Spray it on and wipe up with a micro fiber cloth on my mop....Cleans really well and leaves a sheen also..Love it..

  • Naomi J Naomi J on Apr 19, 2012
    Need to know if the floors have a poly sealant or wood wax. Poly is water base so suggestions with water and vinegar is fine. Floors that have a carnuba wax, use water sparingly. I suggest calling your local floor care Aerus/Elctrolux dealer and learn from the best.how to clean and maintain your wood floors.
  • Roxy D Roxy D on Apr 20, 2012
    If they are 'real' wood and sealed with poly, use white vinegar and warm water for heavily soiled. Endust and a dust mop for 'just dusty'. Been doing it that way for years. This does not work so well on heavily soiled prefab, as it is not sealed and water will seep in the joints.
  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 09, 2022

    Hello, hope this helps you out, begin by dusting or sweeping your floors well. Then make a cleaning mixture using 4 cups warm water and a few drops of castile soap or dish soap. Do not shake, but gently mix this, then mop or scrub small sections at a time, drying them with a clean cloth or dry mop after

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 03, 2022

    Steam Clean them, when required or on a regular basis.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2022

    This is my trusty method

    For wood floors:

    1 cup apple cider vinegar

    1 Tbsp Blue Dawn

    2 gallons hot water

    OR

    1 cup hydrogen peroxide

    2 gallons hot water

  • Dee Dee on May 06, 2023

    I use Bona or plain old ammonia and water to clean my kitchen floor. I use a microbiter cloth on my Swifer mop.

  • Murphy's Oil Soap.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on May 23, 2023

    Damp cloth only! Drage around with broom etc.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 06, 2023

    Hello, hope this helps you out.

    You can use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or mop pad for this task. Make sure to use long strokes and move in one direction only. This will help to keep the finish of your hardwood floors streak-free. For an extra polished look, you can also use a soft cloth to buff out any streaks or marks left behind from the mop.

  • Murphy's Oil Soap.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Aug 01, 2023

    Vinegar and water 50/50 and a damp cloth. Do not get the floor wet, just a damp mop.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Aug 08, 2023

    ½ cup apple cider vinegar

    1 tsp blue Dawn

    2 gallons warm tap water


    Wring mop so that it is damp.

  • Betsy Betsy on Aug 13, 2023

    Hello KBN: When it comes to wood floor cleaning, there’s one important thing to know: water is the enemy! Water dulls your wood’s finish and oftentimes leads to irreversible (and unsightly!) stains. Unless your wood has been treated with polyurethane, never use a wet mop or even think about washing your floors with water. Keep the floor dry and wipe off the smallest spills promptly. – Dust and wipe with soft mop regularly and always use appropriate polishing material.

    – Never use anything other than a wood-specific floor cleaner to deep clean and let it soak for a guaranteed sheen.


    Here's a site that tells about different types of flooring and how to clean them:


    https://www.carpetrentals.com/blog/different-kinds-of-floors/

  • Janice Janice on Aug 15, 2023

    We use a moist (water only) sponge to wipe up spills as they occur and clean once a week with with a floor sponge type mop. Be sure to clean up any spills of juice or even water quickly so as to not let the moisture soak into the wopd flooring and result in roughness of the wood.

  • Dee Dee on Aug 15, 2023

    I absolutely love Bona in the bottle.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on Sep 26, 2023

    Bono is my favorite on my hardwoods.

  • Janice Janice on Nov 01, 2023

    Don't saturate the wood floor, just use a slightly moist sponge or cloth and the cleaner of your choice, rinse with another moist cloth/sponge and then rub dry right away. Try to clean up spills as they occur to keep your floor in good shape over time, never letting liquids sit on the floor for any length of time.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 16, 2024

    Use a Wet Wipe!

  • Dee Dee on Feb 24, 2024

    I use white vinegar and dawn. I wash then rinse and rinse again. It all comes off.