Manufacturers offer an abundance of viable options for machines that clean and preserve hardwood floors. Some models provide wet-mopping as well as vacuum-suctioning actions to produce spotless results. Others use only dry suction vacuuming. Some utilize rotating mopheads that perform a scrubbing action.

In 2021 commercial grade floor cleaning machines start at about $600 for a small, economical unit, and can cost between $13,500 to $20,200 for industrial size ride-on machines.

A dry mop is one piece of equipment that can be used for a quick daily cleaning of hardwood floors. A dry mop affixed with a microfiber cloth is effective for picking up surface level dust and dirt to keep your hardwoods clean and shiny between full cleanings.

For everyday spot cleaning, Dettol Antibacterial Floor Wipes are suitable for use on sealed wooden floors and can provide tough cleaning action to remove grease and dirt.

Avoid Using a Steam Mop on Wood Although it may be tempting to deep clean your hardwood floors with a steam mop, don’t. “Drastic temperature changes and moisture may warp the wood,” says Steve Stocki, manager of marketing and merchandising at Lumber Liquidators.

Spray a small amount of hardwood cleaner onto the floor, and then wipe the floor down with a dry terry cloth mop or dust mop. If your floor is riddled with spots, stains, scuff marks, or debris, remove them with mineral spirits and then mop the area thoroughly.

Solid Hardwood Floors Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop, and they clean really nicely with a streak-free finish. However, avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods, as they’re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.

The Janka hardness rating of the hardwood used for the veneer on your engineered flooring will guide you to the best choice for your intended flooring use. Vanier Hard Maple, Brazilian Cherry and Hand-scraped Oak, Red Oak, and Black-Stained White Oak are all excellent engineered floors for high traffic areas.

MR.SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop.

Wood Floor Alternatives Laminate wood flooring. Laminate is a popular alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, since it replicates the look of real wood very well. Bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring resembles traditional plank wood flooring. Cork flooring. Leather flooring.

The Shark Sonic Duo is a good cleaner for both hardwood floors and carpets. This system is so incredibly useful for any type of floor, and even people who have a lot of area rugs. It’s an electric system, so you always get the consistent performance that you want no matter which surface you’re cleaning.