Wood floors may look fragile and hard to care for, but nothing could be further from the truth. A well-maintained one can pretty much withstand the abuse pets, kids, spills and track-in dirt can bring. And while hardwood floors are really quite easy to care for, it is important to use products that both clean and protect the finish, so it continues to resist the wear and tear your family dishes out.

How to Care for Wood Floors

The best way to give your wood floors some TLC it to leave your shoes at the door, vacuum regularly to remove abrasive dirt and dust, clean up spills promptly and keep your pet’s nails trimmed.

When it’s time to clean your floors, use a light application of one of our recommended products and work in small three-foot square sections to avoid over-wetting the floor. Make sure the area you’ve just cleaned dries promptly before moving on to the next section, as too much moisture sitting on wood for too long is damaging. For quick touch-ups, clean in the direction of the wood planks. For deeper cleaning, go with and across the planks to nab dirt trapped in the crevices.

Here is a list for the best wood floor cleaners you can buy:

Best Overall: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Best for Big Jobs: Pledge Clean It Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner
Best for Wood and Laminate: Black Diamond Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
Best Disposable Mop with Cleaner: Swiffer Wet Jet Mop
Best Wood Floor Cleaner for Allergy Sufferers: Bona Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Best Concentrated Cleaner: Libman Freedom Spray Mop Hardwood Concentrated Floor Cleaner
Best Microfiber Mop with Cleaner: Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hardwood Floors