How to Clean Wooden Floors

• Wood floors look great but each type needs its own care. Unsealed wood hates water, laminate prefers a light spray, and engineered and hardwood need gentle pH-neutral cleaners. Vinyl is the easiest of the lot, just avoid harsh chemicals to keep the shine.

Who doesn’t love wooden floors that make a house feel warm and cozy?

But let’s not forget that they need the right care if you want them to stay looking good. A quick sweep or vacuum as part of your house cleaning or office cleaning routine will keep the dust down, but every so often, they’ll need a bit more than that. 

If you get the cleaning right, your floors will keep shining for years. Get it wrong and you could end up with scratches or dull patches or worse. Here’s your guide to cleaning wooden floors properly.

The Best Way to Clean Wood Floors According to Type

Not all wooden floors are the same. Some are solid timber, some are engineered, and some only look like wood. Each type needs its own approach for an efficient clean. 

1. How to Clean Unsealed Wood Floors

Unsealed wood is raw timber without any protective coating. Heads up: it soaks up water like a sponge, so you have to be careful.

Materials needed:

• Soft broom or vacuum with a brush head
• Microfibre mop
• Mild pH-neutral cleaner made for unfinished wood (about 25 ml per 1 litre of water)
• Soft cloths
  

Steps:

1. Sweep or vacuum to lift dust and grit.
2. Lightly dampen the mop with the diluted unfinished wood cleaner. Wring it out until almost dry.
3. Mop gently along the grain, never soaking the floor.
4. Wipe any damp spots immediately with a dry cloth.
   

Avoid: Steam mops, vinegar, or any heavy detergents that can soak in and stain the wood.

2. How to Clean Laminate Wood Floors

Laminate looks like wood but is made of compressed fibreboard with a protective layer on top. It can’t handle much water, so be careful. 

Materials needed:

• Vacuum or soft broom
• Microfibre mop
• Laminate-specific floor cleaner (use as directed, usually spray-on rather than mixed in water)
• Dry cloth
  

Steps:

1. Vacuum or sweep to clear loose debris.
2. Spray laminate cleaner lightly onto a microfibre mop.
3. Mop the floor in small sections, avoiding excess liquid.
4. Dry with a cloth if needed.
   

Avoid: Soaking the floor, steam cleaning, or using oil-based soaps that leave residue.

3. How to Clean Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood has a real wood surface with layers beneath. It’s sturdier than solid timber but still needs gentle cleaning.

Materials needed:

• Vacuum with soft brush
• Microfibre mop
• pH-neutral cleaner made for engineered floors (50 ml per 1 litre of warm water)
• Soft cloth
  

Steps:

1. Vacuum to remove grit and dust.
2. Mix the cleaner with warm water.
3. Wring the mop until just damp and mop along the grain.
4. Wipe away any damp patches with a cloth.
   

Avoid: Harsh chemicals, vinegar, or ammonia which can strip the finish.

4. How to Clean Hard Wood Floors

Solid hardwood is durable but sensitive to moisture. The right cleaner protects the finish and prevents warping.

Materials needed:

• Vacuum or broom
• Microfibre mop
• Hardwood floor cleaner with pH-neutral formula (50 ml per 1 litre of warm water)
• Soft cloth or towel
  

Steps:

1. Vacuum or sweep to remove dirt.
2. Mix hardwood cleaner with warm water.
3. Mop with a damp, not wet, mop along the grain.
4. Dry the surface with a soft cloth immediately.
   

Avoid: Steam mops, excessive water, and abrasive cleaners that scratch the timber.

5. How to Clean Vinyl Wood Floors

Vinyl that looks like wood is water resistant, so it’s easier to clean, but harsh chemicals can still damage it.

Materials needed:

• Vacuum or broom
• Microfibre mop
• Mild vinyl floor cleaner (50 ml per 1 litre of warm water)
• Soft cloth
  

Steps:

1. Sweep or vacuum to remove dust and debris.
2. Mix vinyl floor cleaner with warm water.
3. Mop with a damp microfibre mop, rinsing often.
4. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent streaks.
   

Avoid: Abrasive powders, wax polish, or solvent-based cleaners that can dull the surface.

How to Deep Clean Wooden Floors

You don’t need to deep-clean wooden floors every week. Think of it as giving them a reset every few months or something you might need as part of your end of lease cleaning checklist. It clears out the dirt that daily sweeping misses and keeps the finish looking fresh. The golden rule is simple: avoid soaking the wood. Water and timber simply don’t get along.

Deep cleaning (every few months):

• Move furniture if you can, so you can reach every corner.
  
• Vacuum carefully, using the crevice tool along skirting boards.
  
• Prepare a bucket with warm water and a pH-neutral wood floor cleaner (about 50 ml cleaner per 1 litre of warm water). Avoid bleach, ammonia, or washing-up liquid as they can damage the finish.
  
• Dip a microfibre mop, wring it out until almost dry, and mop slowly along the grain.
  
• Rinse and wring the mop often so you are not spreading dirty water back on the floor.
  
• For sticky patches, use a soft cloth dampened with the same diluted wood cleaner and rub gently.
  
• For scuff marks, use a damp sponge with half a teaspoon of baking soda, then wipe away any residue.
  
• Once finished, go over the floor with a clean, dry cloth or towel to remove any leftover moisture.
  

Polished Floors, No Chores: Team Up with Simone’s

Who says cleaning wooden floors has to be complicated? Know what type of floor you have, keep water to a minimum, and use the right cleaner. Do that and your floors will stay in good shape for years. 

But if you’d rather hand the job over to the experts, Simone’s Cleaning Services can take care of it. From strata cleaning to NDIS cleaning, we can save you the hassle. Go for polished floors, no chores. 

Contact us to book an appointment! 

Looking for more expert insights? Check out our other blogs below:

• How to Mop Floors
• How to Clean Grout
• How To Clean A Rug