Compare the best floor cleaners

A clean floor is a crucial part of a healthy home, and the right cleaner can make getting it in tip-top shape much easier. Compare and choose the best product for the job, and get ready for your freshly tidied floors to spark joy.

Compare top floor cleaners

Name	Avg. price (USD)	Size	Floor type	Scent	Purchase
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray	$8	32 oz	Hardwood flooring	Scent-free	Shop on Amazon
Swiffer Wetjet Hardwood Floor Mopping and Cleaning Solution Refills	$10/2-pack	1.25 liter	Multi-surface	Lavender vanilla	Shop on Amazon
Mop & Glo	$17	64 oz	Wood, vinyl, tile	Citrus	Shop on Amazon
Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover	$17/2-pack	32 oz	Carpet and upholstery	Scent-free	Shop on Amazon
Grout-EEZ Super Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner	$40/2-pack with brush	1 qt	Tile and grout	Scent-free	Shop on Amazon
Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner	$12/2-pack	32 oz	All floor types	Citrus mint	Shop on Amazon
Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner	$5	25 oz	Wood floors	Almond	Shop on Amazon

Data obtained January 2020. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

What is a floor cleaner?

The floor cleaners we’re comparing are meant for hard floor surfaces. They’re good for getting up dirt, grease and grime from floors made of materials like tile and wood. And you usually need to apply them with a mop or spray bottle.

If you’re looking for ways to clean carpet flooring, check out our guide to the best carpet stain removers.

What types are available?

Multi-surface floor cleaners can be used across a wide range of hard floor surfaces. Products either come in ready-to-use spray bottles that are applied directly to the surface and rinsed or wiped off, or are liquids that need to be diluted with water before use. The latter is usually then applied with a mop.

Whichever floor cleaning product you choose, read the label closely to make sure it’s safe to use on your chosen surface and fits the type of cleaning you’ve planned.

How to compare floor cleaners

Rather than buying the least-expensive floor cleaner you see on the supermarket shelf, try comparing your options and find a product that’s right for you.

Surface type should be considered first, followed by:

• Type of cleaning

  Check the label to find out exactly what sort of cleaning a product does — while you can use some for routine everyday cleaning, others are for specific tasks.

  You can find specialty cleaners for removing mold and mildew stains, getting rid of scuff marks or even polishing stone and tile flooring.

• Ease of use

  Check the instructions on the label to find out how quick and easy it is to apply the cleaner.

  Consider if you want to use a spray-on cleaner, or one you have to mix and mop up. You’ll also have to decide between rinse-off and wipe-up cleaner.

  If it’s a solution you have to mix, make sure the instructions are simple and straightforward to ensure you don’t make any mistakes when diluting it.

• Smell

  A freshly disinfected floor can have an overpowering odor, and products with chemicals tend to have a harsher scent than chemical-free cleaners.

  If possible, give any product a sniff before you buy. You may also want to check reviews from other users to see if the promised pleasant citrus scent lives up to its marketing.

• Performance

  Take a look at some independent customer reviews online to find out what sort of experience other users have had with the product. Pay close attention to both the pros and cons, and if the person would recommend it going forward.

Safe to use

If you have children or pets at home, you won’t want to expose them to any harmful chemicals while cleaning.

You’ll find non-toxic products that are safe to use around children and pets. Hypoallergenic options also exist for those with allergies.

If strong chemicals are present in a product, the manufacturer may recommend using gloves and a mask while using it.

To find out the exact composition of a cleaning product, take a look at the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which you can usually find on the manufacturer’s or seller’s website. This includes information about any hazardous substances in a product and any health risks they may pose.

Biodegradable

If you’re an environmentally conscious person, look for a product that claims to be chemical-free and biodegradable. Once again, the MSDS will inform you exactly what substances are present in a cleaning solution.

Antibacterial

Plenty of cleaners take care of the dirt and mess you can see, but what about the germs you can’t? A floor cleaner with antibacterial properties can help rid your home of unseen nasties.

Size

Most floor cleaners come in 32 ounces, 40 ounces or 1 gallon sizes.

Be aware whether a product is a concentrate or ready to use. The former requires you to dilute it with water, which affects how much use you’ll get out of one bottle.

You can also check the label for a guide to the amount of surface area it’s expected to clean.

Price

Comparing floor cleaner prices can be a little difficult due to the variety of capacities available. Consider the size of the bottle so you can compare the cost per ounce across different brands.

As a rough guide, floor cleaners generally cost somewhere between 6 and 40 cents per ounce.

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Compare premium floor cleaner products

Hard floor cleaners and steam mops

If you want to wave goodbye to your old-fashioned bucket and mop, a specialized hard floor cleaner might be the answer. Available in corded or cordless form, these appliances look much like a regular upright vacuum but allow you to wash, scrub, dry and vacuum hard floors. Prices range from around $100 to $500.

Another option you may want to consider is a steam mop. These increasingly popular appliances allow you to use steam cleaning power on a wide range of hard surfaces.

Bottom line

Before choosing a floor cleaner for your hard surfaces, take a moment to consider what material it’s made of, whether you need to be mindful of toxicity and allergens and how much you want to spend.

Compare a few options to help find the perfect product that suits your cleaning needs and your budget.

How did we choose these products?

To choose our list of the best floor cleaners, we conducted online research to determine some of the most popular products out there. We also factored in the price, which types of material they’re used for and overall safety for kids and pets.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best homemade floor cleaner?

  Baking soda and vinegar are two of the most common DIY floor cleaners.

• What is the best product to clean laminate floors?

  Use a cleaner that specifically lists laminate floors on the bottle as a suitable material. Test a small area first before using on your entire floor.

  Don’t use steam cleaners on laminate floors, as they may cause permanent damage.

• What is the best floor cleaner for wood?

  Many products are formulated specifically for use on hardwood floors. Look for this information on the label before using a product on wood flooring. Test in a small area first before using it on the entire floor.