How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors bring beauty to your home, but they need the right care to stay that way.

What Type of Hardwood Floor Do You Have?

Cleaning does not begin with tools or soap. It starts with knowing the kind of wood beneath your feet.

1. Solid hardwood floors are cut from one piece of wood. They are thick, strong, and can be sanded several times. These floors react to humidity. It expands and contracts with moisture. Use a lightly damp mop and dry the surface quickly to avoid water damage.
   
2. Waterproof engineered hardwoods are sealed tightly. They resist water better than other hardwood types. You can use wet mops or a wet and dry vacuum, but do not leave standing water behind.
   
3. Engineered hardwood is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. The top layer is real wood, but the inside layers may be made of cheaper material. These floors are more stable. They resist warping and can be used over concrete. Light mopping is safe for most types, but avoid over-wetting.
   
4. Bamboo floors come in different styles: vertical, horizontal, or strand woven. Strand woven is the most durable. Bamboo is hard, eco-friendly, and resists scratches. It can handle light water mopping if sealed.
5. Parquet floors are built from small wood pieces arranged in patterns. They usually come in tiles and are glued down. These floors may need careful cleaning to avoid breaking the design edges. Mop gently and avoid extra moisture.

Don't Forget to Check the Finish

For this can affect how you clean it:

• Polyurethane finish: Shiny and sealed. You can use water-based cleaners.
• Waxed finish: Needs dry cleaning or buffing. Water can damage the shine.
• Oil finish: More delicate. Use only products made for oil-treated wood.

Regular Cleaning vs. Refinishing

Keeping your hardwood floors beautiful does not always mean starting over. Some floors just need routine care. Others may need a fresh surface.

Regular Cleaning

Simple cleaning removes dirt, dust, and daily buildup. You can sweep, mop, or vacuum. It keeps the surface safe and fresh. Most sealed hardwood floors need regular cleaning every week.

Benefits:

• Low cost
• Quick to do
• Helps prevent long-term damage
• Keeps floors looking bright

Cost and Time:

• Typically under $10 for supplies (mop, bucket, cleaner)
• About 20 to 40 minutes for a small room (around 150 ft²)

Best for: All floor types, especially sealed ones.

Refinishing

Refinishing means sanding the top layer and adding a new coat. It hides deep scratches, dull spots, and stains. This is not part of weekly care. Refinishing is needed once every few years, depending on foot traffic.

Benefits:

• Restores old floors
• Removes stains and wear
• Adds shine and protection

Cost and Time:

• $3 to $8 per square foot
• 3 to 5 days (including drying)

Best for: Solid hardwood or thick engineered floors.

If you clean hardwood floors regularly, do you still need to refinish?

Yes. Even with regular cleaning, refinishing is sometimes needed. Over time, scratches, dullness, and worn areas may still appear. Cleaning keeps the surface healthy, but it does not fix damage. Refinishing restores the look and adds a fresh protective layer. For high-traffic areas, it may be needed every few years.

3 Ways to Clean Hardwood Floors: From Simple to Smart

The way you clean can be basic or advanced. The best method depends on your time, tools, and floor type.

1. Manual: Use Mop and Bucket

This is the most traditional way to clean wood floors.

What You’ll Need:

• Soft microfiber mop
• Two buckets (one for cleaner, one for rinsing)
• Water
• A few drops of gentle dish soap
• Dry towel or microfiber cloth

Steps to Follow:

• Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dirt.
• Fill one bucket with warm water and mild soap.
• Dip the mop. Wring out extra water. Mop should feel damp, not wet.
• Mop along the direction of the wood grain.
• Rinse the mop in the second bucket.
• Go over the floor again to remove soap residue.
• Dry the floor with a clean towel.

Best for: Sealed hardwood (polyurethane). Not ideal for waxed or oil-treated floors.

Cleaning Time: About 30 to 40 minutes for a small room (around 150 ft²)

2. Tech-Savvy: Use Wet and Dry Vacuum

Wet and dry vacuums clean dust and spills in one go. They also help avoid mop buckets.

Recommended Tool:

Dreame H14 Wet and Dry Vacuum, which boasts:

• 18,000Pa suction power
• Hot water wash at 60°C
• 35-minute runtime for up to 200m²
• Dual-edge cleaning for corners
• Smart dirt detection using color lights
• Solid and liquid waste separated
• Uses a 520RPM rotating brush, driven by a 14,000 RPM motor, to reduce streaks
• Self-cleaning brush with hot air drying

Steps to Follow:

• Vacuum the floor to remove dust and debris (in dry mode).
• Fill the clean water tank (880mL).
• Select the Auto cleaning mode.
• Move the vacuum over the floor. Follow the wood grain.
• Let it self-clean and dry the brush afterward.

Best for: Engineered hardwood, waterproof engineered, bamboo.

Cleaning Time: About 20 to 25 minutes for a small room (around 150 ft²)

3. Automated: Use Robot Vacuum and Mop

Robot vacuums clean while you do other tasks. Some can even mop with hot water. Given the specific needs of different floor types, understanding how to choose a robot vacuum for hardwood floors is important.

Recommended Tool:

Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum, which features:

• 20,000Pa Vormax suction
• Hot water mop cleaning at 80°C
• MopExtend RoboSwing reaches under furniture
• Smart dirt detection 2.0 analyzes water
• 99.9% stain removal with self-cleaning station
• TripleUp Tech lifts mops and brushes to protect carpets
• Auto refills water and cleaning solution
• 100-day hands-free dust bin emptying with a 3.2L dust bag capacity

Steps to Follow:

• Use the app to map your home and set cleaning areas.
• Select the cleaning mode and start.
• Mop pads get washed and dried automatically.

Best for: Polyurethane-sealed hardwood, waterproof engineered.

Cleaning Time: About 18 to 25 minutes for a small room (around 150 ft²)

How to Disinfect Hardwood Floors?

Disinfection is different from regular cleaning. It needs extra care, especially with wood.

What to Use:

• A mix of water and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution)
• A commercial hardwood-safe disinfectant with no ammonia or alcohol
• A mop with a microfiber head

Take the Following Steps:

• Sweep or vacuum the floor.
• Apply the disinfectant lightly with a spray bottle.
• Use a clean mop to wipe the surface.
• Let the floor air dry or use a dry cloth to remove any moisture.

Note:

Avoid bleach. It damages wood color and weakens the finish. If unsure, test the cleaner on a hidden area first.

How to Deep Clean Old Hardwood Floors?

Older floors show age. Dirt sinks into scratches and dulls the surface. Regular mopping is not enough in that case.

What You’ll Need:

• A soft-bristle vacuum or broom
• Hardwood-safe cleaning solution
• Microfiber mop
• Clean towel
• Floor polish (optional, if the manufacturer allows)

Steps to Take:

• Vacuum thoroughly, especially between floorboards.
• Apply a small amount of cleaner to a microfiber mop.
• Mop slowly, following the direction of the grain.
• Dry with a clean cloth.
• If the floor looks dull, apply floor polish made for sealed wood.

Do not deep clean with water if the wood is waxed or unfinished. Stick to dry methods like buffing or vacuuming.

If your floor is still dull or sticky after cleaning, it may need refinishing instead.

What Is the Best Cleaning Solution for Hardwood Floors?

The safest cleaners are those made just for hardwood. These leave no residue and do not harm the finish.

Top Options:

• Commercial wood floor cleaners with pH-neutral formulas
• Warm water with a few drops of castile soap
• Spray-and-wipe hardwood cleaning pads
• Dreame H14 and Dreame X50 Ultra use water tanks and dirt sensors, so no extra cleaner is needed unless the robot auto-mixes it

Avoid:

• Vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Dish soap in large amounts

Too much soap creates streaks. Acidic and harsh cleaners damage surface layers. Even natural options like vinegar can dull the shine.

If your floor has a wax or oil finish, use products made for that specific type only.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Some cleaning habits can shorten the life of your hardwood. These are the most common problems to avoid.

• Don’t over-saturate the floor with water. For too much moisture causes warping, swelling, or cracks.
• Don’t use steam mops unless the manufacturer says it’s OK, because steam can break down the sealant and damage wood.
• Don’t use abrasive pads or bleach-based cleaners; rough tools and strong chemicals scratch the finish or strip it away.
• Don’t skip dry mopping or vacuuming. Cleaning without removing grit first can grind dirt onto the floor.
• Don’t clean waxed floors with water due to the fact that water clouds wax and may lead to white marks or stains.
• Don’t forget to dry the floor. Even small puddles left behind can sink in and leave dark spots.

A Quick Look at What to Use to Clean Hardwood Floors

Not every home needs the same cleaning routine. Some people want quick upkeep. Others want deep cleaning with the least effort. The best choice depends on your floor, your time, and how much help you want from technology. You can refer to the table below for quick guidance:

	Manual Mop & Bucket	Tech-savvy Wet & Dry Vacuum	Automated Robot Vacuum and Mop
Recommended Frequency	1–2 times per week	1–2 times per week	Daily or every other day
Time to Clean	30–40 minutes per small room	20–25 minutes per small room	18–25 minutes per small room
Effectiveness	Good for surface cleaning	Excellent for dust, spills, and edge zones	Excellent with smart control and full access
Recommended Solution	Water + mild soap only	No added solution needed (built-in clean cycle)	Uses auto-mixed solution (built-in station)
Best For (Type of Floor)	Sealed hardwood, no wax or oil	Engineered, waterproof engineered, bamboo	Sealed hardwood, engineered, pet households
Recommended Product	Microfiber mop set	Dreame H14 Wet and Dry Vacuum	Dreame X50 Ultra Robot Vacuum

 

Shine Up Your Floors: Maintenance Tips for Hardwood

Consistent care is key to keeping your hardwood floors in top condition. Just a few simple habits can work wonders:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly, even between deep cleans. Dirt acts like sandpaper. If it stays on the floor, it wears down the finish.
• Place doormats at every entrance as the first line of defense. They trap dust, pebbles, and moisture before they reach the wood.
• Use felt pads on all furniture legs for dragging chairs or tables can leave deep marks.
• Try to keep rooms between 35 and 55 percent humidity. For too much moisture can swell the planks while too little can dry and crack the wood.
• Clean spills fast to stop staining or damage.
• Avoid shoes with sharp soles or high heels, for these can leave dents or scuff marks.
• Refresh polish or recoat when needed. If the floor starts to look dull even after cleaning, consider using a hardwood polish or protective coating that matches the floor’s finish.

All in all, caring for hardwood floors is easy with the right tools and habits. Stay consistent, choose the right method, and your floors will shine for years to come.