21 Tested Wood Floor Cleaners (Rejuvenate Floor Cleaner and more!)
Have you ever seen a house renovation show on tv where they rip out old carpet or linoleum to reveal a hardwood floor?
Most of the time, the renovator salvages the hardwood floor. Why? The answer is in its charming beauty, durability, and value. Age and a few nail holes only add to the character.
Not only does a hardwood floor create the perfect ambiance to any home, but it is also easy to clean and maintain if done correctly.
Fortunately, it’s easy to find quality products and tools to preserve your wood floors, keep them in tip-top shape, and look amazing for years to come.
In this article, we have rounded up the 21 best DIY hardwood floor cleaner and rejuvenate floor cleaner reviews.
First, let’s review why you should never use the wrong cleaning products.
Some Cleaners Can Do More Harm Than Good
The top three things you never want to use on a hardwood floor are:
- Vacuum cleaner beater bars and brushes
- Harsh chemical cleaners with abrasives or bleach
- Lots of water
All of the above can scratch, fade, leave spots, discolor, or even rot your wood.
Surprisingly, some household products with familiar brand names are not the best products for your wood floor. They contain oils or waxes that give a beautiful shine temporarily but will become dull and cloudy, worse than before. Besides, they cause you more work. To keep the shine, you need to reapply it every other week.
When cleaning wood floors, it’s a little different than cleaning tile or linoleum because wood can absorb liquids. You need products that will remove the dirt without ruining the polyurethane coating on top or seeping into the wood and discolor it.
Here are our selections of the products with the highest reviews on Amazon.
6 Types of Hardwood Floor Cleaners and Products
Contrary to what most people believe, cleaning the wood floor is an easy chore. With regular maintenance such as sweeping, dusting, mopping, and vacuuming you’re set for a long-lasting beauty of the hardwood floors.
We’ve assembled six types of floor cleaners and tools that will keep your floor looking amazing a lot longer without the hard labor.
#1 - Best Rejuvenate Floor Cleaner Reviews
Good cleaning solutions specific to hardwood floors will keep them clean, shiny, and smelling fresh. They should remove scuff marks, grease, and sticky messes.
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Bona has been making safe products for wood floors for almost 100 years. When used in combination with their microfiber pad, Bona gently cleans hardwood floors. Just spray and mop. It’s water-based so you can use it daily. It has the "Greenguard" seal, so it’s safe for kids or pets. Dries without streaks and has a pleasant smell.
//
Libman Hardwood Floor Everyday Cleaner Squeeze Bottle
Libman hardwood floor everyday cleaner safely removes old build up, scuffs, minor scratches, and leaves a clear, clean shine. It nourishes the wood and is safe on all wood types including exotic hardwoods. It’s made in the USA since 1896.
//
Black Diamond Wood Floor Cleaner
With Black Diamond, you don’t need much, just spray and wipe. It is an effective product for all polyurethane finished wood floors and laminates. Besides removing dirt, dust, spills, and footprints, it is streak-free. Black Diamond is a no-rinse hypoallergenic formula that is safe around pets and children.
//
#2 - Best Hardwood Floor Mop Liquid Spray
When cleaning hardwood floors, you do not need excess water. It can soak into the pores of the finish and the seams. If left on the wood, the water can cause it to cup, warp, and discolor it under the finish.
Spray mops and steam mops work well for removing excess dirt and build up from wood floors. For spray mops, be sure to wipe up any excess moisture. Don’t leave a steam mop in one area for more than a few seconds or you risk steam penetrating the wood.
Here are our selected floor mops with a liquid spray.
O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
O-Cedar has studied the shortcomings of spray mops and addressed them all. The bottle/reservoir comes off with the push of a button. You can use your favorite cleaner or plain water. The microfiber pads are machine washable, and the pad holder swivels 180⁰ so you can keep mopping without changing pads. See how it works in this video.
//
Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop
The Rubbermaid Reveal uses thick and wide microfiber pads instead of disposable. They can be machine washed over 100 times. The refillable bottle holds 22 ounces of water or a cleaning solution. You activate the sprayer manually with an ergonomic trigger at the handle. There are no batteries to buy. There is also a non-scratch scrubbing pad built into the mop head to loosen dirt and grime.
// Forspeeder Hardwood Floor Mop
The Forspeeder comes complete with a 600 ml./20 oz. refillable spray bottle and 2 economical, washable mop heads. The ergonomically designed handle feels comfortable when mopping large rooms. You manually operate the sprayer, so there are no expensive batteries to buy.
The mop head swivels 360⁰ for easy cleaning around corners and furniture.
//
#3 – Best Steam Mop for Hardwood Floors
Steam mops can keep your floors clean and shiny with little effort. One of the significant advantages of steam cleaning is that it disinfects as well as cleans without chemicals. The steam does the work.
One word of caution, don’t let the steamer stand in any place for more than a few seconds. The steam can penetrate the finish, discoloring, and potentially damaging the wood. It’s best to reserve steam cleaning for tough spots or spills. Steam mopping the entire wood floor on a regular basis is not advisable. It’s safer for floors other than wood.
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop
This product powers through tough, sticky messes with the flip-down scrubber for dried on stuff.
You can use the high, medium, or low steam settings. It includes a 23 ft. power cord, 1 soft microfiber pad, 1 microfiber scrubby pad, 2 spring breeze fragrance discs, and a carpet glider.
It’s best to test any scrubbing pad in an inconspicuous place as it could scratch the finish. You can see a review here.
//
Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1 System
The ThermaPro handily cleans tile and hardwood floors. It comes with a special surface scrubber, a 20 ft. cord and the cleaning pad is 6"X 8".
The ThermoPro has three adjustable settings. Use the lowest to preserve your hardwood floors finish. The 340ml / 11.5Oz reservoir lasts for 20-25 minutes of steaming on the lowest setting, or half of that time if on the maximum setting. The center section holding the reservoir detaches for use as a hand-held steamer.
One nice thing about the ThermaPro is their guarantee. They offer a free replacement without any costs from you for up to 2-years.
//
Light n Easy S3101 Floor Steamer
This is one of the lightest steam mops at only 4 pounds. It makes it easy to clean large areas with the 20 ft. cord. It takes just 20 seconds for the steam to start. The mop pad is easy to attach and stays on securely. (Tip - They only give you one pad, so buy more upfront.)
For the money, this lightweight steamer does a great job on wood floors and dries quickly. It’s simple to operate with only an on/off button and steam trigger. You can see it being tested in this video.
//
#4 – Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
When looking for a vacuum for wood floors, there are a few things to consider. First, hard wheels can scratch the finish. Look for rubber, silicone, or other softer, non-marking materials.
Second, if the vacuum you choose has a rolling brush or beater bar, make sure you have the option to turn it off when vacuuming wood floors. The stiff plastic bristles and metal bar can damage the floor.
We chose some of the best vacuums in a few different categories for your reference.>
Robotic Vacuum
It’s the age of robotics and artificial intelligence, so we can’t do a review on vacuum cleaners without mentioning our pick for a robotic vacuum.
Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30
It has the highest suction rating of any robotic vacuum and has 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 3,100 owners.
It’s compact, at only 5.8 pounds, 12.8 inches in diameter and less than 3 inches tall. It does a great job cleaning hardwood floors without causing scratches. Best of all, you don’t have to do the work!
It cleans up to 100 minutes per charge, and you can pre-set cleaning modes. It also comes with 13 feet of boundary strips to keep the vacuum where you want it.
//
Cordless Vacuum
Cordless vacuums are more convenient and lightweight than their corded cousins. However, they sacrifice some suction power and working time depends upon the battery life.
For daily spot cleaning of your hardwood floors, here are two of our best picks.
1. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless
Dyson designed this model for homeowners with both hardwood floors and carpet. It comes with two separate direct-drive heads. One has stiff brushes for carpet, and the other has a soft roller that removes large and fine particles from wood floors without scratching.
It includes a Mini Soft Dusting Brush, Mini Motorized Tool, Crevice Tool, and a Combination Accessory Tool.
//
2. Shark IONFlex DuoClean Ultra-Light Cordless Vacuum
One of the best features of the Shark IONFlex is the way they added a bendable "elbow" on the suction tube. It makes it easy to clean under tables and chairs. The Shark has an additional soft roller just for cleaning hardwood floors, as you can see in this video.
Another nice feature is the dual battery pack. You’ll always have a fully charged battery when the other one slows down. It also includes a Duster Crevice Tool, Pet Multi-Tool, and Anti-Allergen Dust Brush.
//
Vacuum for Pet Hair
Pet hair is a problem for homeowners and vacuum cleaners alike. After researching, we feel that these two models are best equipped to clean pet hair from your wood floors.
1. Dyson DC41 Animal Complete Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson pioneered their Radial Root Cyclone technology that creates many mini tornadoes maximizing suction power. That’s critical when you’re picking up stubborn pet hair and not using a brush.
Of course, their innovative Ball technology lets you steer easily. This video shows you a complete demonstration. Their "Tangle-Free Turbine Tool" can suck up hair or a shoelace from the floor and not get tangled in the brushes.
//
2. Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Pet Bagged Corded Upright Vacuum
The Hoover "T" series upright vacuum cleaner uses WindTunnel Technology for consistent suction. It’s lightweight at less than 17 pounds.
It comes with a 25-foot retractable power cord; rinse-clean filter and permanent HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of dirt, dust, and pollens down to 0.3 microns. Settings easily adjust from thick carpet to hard floor surfaces, and you can turn off the brush roller.
It includes an 8 ft. hose for above-floor cleaning. Plus there is an extension wand, crevice tool, upholstery/dusting brush, and powered hand tool. The edges have a No-Scuff bumper for extra protection.
You save money because it’s bagless. Watch it in action here.
//
Hand Held Vacuum for Wood Floors
Dyson V7 Trigger Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum
The Dyson V7 Trigger Cord-Free Handheld Vacuum is the most powerful hand-held vacuum, and the most expensive. Dyson’s vacuum technology has proven itself. They use 15 "cyclones" to provide suction and filters to trap microscopic particles as small as 0.5 microns.
The suction of the Dyson V7 Trigger is enhanced by a roller brush, mini motorized tool. Other hand-held vacs only have a nozzle. You can see an active demonstration in this video.
Tools include a mini motorized tool, a combination tool, and a crevice tool. You should get up to 30 minutes of suction with the lithium-ion batteries.
//
Vacuum Specifically for Hardwood Floor and Carpets
Hoover WindTunnel Air Steerable Upright Vacuum UH72400
The Hoover WindTunnel Air Steerable Upright Vacuum UH72400 is a lightweight upright model. We’ve chosen this one because you can turn off the brush when moving from carpet to wood floor. It has a steerable body that makes turning easier and less likely to scratch the floor. And, the body reclines for cleaning under tables and chairs. The Hoover WindTunnel uses cyclonic action for higher suction power as demonstrated here.
Other features include a telescoping, detachable wand for cleaning up high and tools for upholstery and furniture and a no-scuff bumper.
#5 - Best Swiffer-Type Cleaner for Hardwood Floors
There are two models of Swiffer cleaners. The first one is a basic handle with a rectangular head for attaching disposable cleaning pads. The other model, the WetJet, kicks the design up a notch by adding a reservoir and sprayer for turning the dry sweeping function into a wet mop.
Swiffer Sweeper Cleaner Dry and Wet Mop Starter Kit
The Swiffer has been a sensation since it came on the market in 1999. It combines the ease of sweeping with the efficiency of a mop. Disposable pads attach to the head of this lightweight handle, and you mop any hard floor with ease. Dirt and hair stick to the cleaning pads which you throw away when dirty.
You can buy dry or wet pads depending upon what you’re cleaning. The wet pads do not hold much moisture, so they are safe on wood floors. Check it out here.
The starter kit comes with 1 mop, 7 dry pads, and 3 wet pads. You can purchase replacement pads in most grocery and home improvement stores. It’s meant to pick up light dust and hair, not for heavy-duty cleaning. It’s a great last-minute picker upper before the guests arrive.
Swiffer WetJet Hardwood and Floor Spray Mop Cleaner
Swiffer was the pioneer in pre-moistened floor cleaning pads and are still a quality product today.
The WetJet takes the pre-moistened pad a step further by adding a refillable spray bottle attachment to loosen stubborn areas on the floor. A battery-operated pump sprays with a push of a button.
The pads hold the dirt and hair which you then toss in the trash. You use a new pad for every use. While it’s clean, it can be costly if you use them a lot.
The starter kit includes 1 battery-powered floor spray mop, 3 extra power pad refills, 2 original mopping pad refills, one 500ML bottle of cleaning solution, and 4 batteries. Here is how it works.
//
#6 - Other Best Hardwood Floor Products
Sometimes, your wood floors get scratched or worn so that the finish is dull, and cleaning isn’t making much difference in the appearance anymore. It’s time to get a little help from some products designed to rescue and revive your floors from the ravages of feet and pets.
Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer
Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer works by filling in the scratches and wear marks on the surface of the floor. It leaves a no-residue shine that protects wood flooring. Rejuvenate comes in satin or gloss finish.
It bonds to the existing polyurethane finish. Spills just bead up for easy cleaning. Apply with a soft cloth or microfiber bonnet over a mop.
One bottle covers up to 525 sq. ft. dries in 45-minutes and is non-toxic. Check out this product demo.
// Rejuvenate Wood Furniture & Floor Repair Markers
This ingenious DIY repair solution comes in 6 different colors. Just match the closest color to the surrounding wood, color the scratch with the marker and wipe off any excess immediately. See how easy it works in this video. You can find them in most home repair and hardware stores.
//
Scott’s Liquid Gold Floor Restore
This floor restorer works on new or old hardwood floors. However, it’s not meant for use on synthetic, laminate floors, unsealed, unfinished, waxed, or oiled floors.
For finished floors, it will hide scratches and leave a shine that lasts for months. The advanced polymers restore and protect the finish. A 24 oz. bottle will cover approximately 300 square feet.
//
Tips on Maintaining Hardwood Floors
Your hardwood floors are a significant investment, and you need to care for them the right way.
Here’s a short list of Dos and Don’t to keep your floors beautiful for as long as you live in your home.
- Do only use tools and products designed for wood floors
- Don’t use multi-purpose cleaners, bleach, or water and vinegar
- Do sweep or vacuum regularly
- Do clean and dry spills immediately
- Do use vacuum cleaners meant for hardwood floors
- Don’t vacuum with a beater bar and stiff brush
- Do use steam cleaners sparingly. The steam can damage the wood
- Do use felt pads for furniture legs
- Do use rubber backed rugs for high traffic areas
- Do use an approved wood floor polish or restorer once a month
- Do place sturdy floor mats outside exterior doors to help trap the dirt from getting in.
We hope you find this article informative. Please share this information with friends or families who have hardwood floors in their homes.
Are you looking for a DIY, easy to install a hardwood floor? Go to Easiklip.com. We sell only solid oak floors that come pre-finished. They install without glue, screws, or nails. Check it out at Easiklip.com and order a free sample pack for your home.
As an Amazon Associate, Easiklip Floors earns from qualifying purchases. This helps us provide more great blog content. Thank you for your support.
- Bill Grover
