Avoid Water and Vinegar On Your Wood Floors

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For many people looking for a quick and easy DIY cleaning solution, nothing beats vinegar and water. It’s cheap, safe for the environment, and generally does a great job at cleaning many items around the home.

Just please don’t use it to clean wood floors.

Why Vinegar and Water Damage Wood Floors

It’s important to remember that when you clean your wood floors, you aren’t actually cleaning the wood — you’re cleaning the chemical finish that’s on the wood. The finish is the protective layer of your wood floors.

⚠ Vinegar is an acid. It will break down the finish on the surface of your floor, and over time it will reduce the shine and leave a dull, lifeless appearance.
⚠ Too much water causes damage too. Using a water-heavy solution on wood floors can lead to an excessive amount of moisture on the floor, which can cause swelling and discolouration.

The Best Way to Clean Wood Floors

When it’s time to clean your floors, follow these tips for safe, effective results:

  • Prepare first. Sweep or dust-mop to remove large particles of dirt and debris before applying any cleaning solution.
  • Use a pH-neutral cleaner that will be gentle on your wood floor’s finish. Bona Wood Floor Cleaner is specially formulated for wood floors and won’t dull or damage the finish.
  • Use a fine spray mist and clean your floor in sections. Avoid putting too much liquid on your floors at once.
  • Use a microfibre mop to clean. Traditional mops can work, but they often leave unnecessary excess water on your floors. The Bona Premium Spray Mop for Wood Floors is ideal — it delivers a controlled fine mist and uses a microfibre cleaning pad to pick up dirt without over-wetting the surface.
💡 Our recommendation: The Bona Premium Spray Mop for Wood Floors paired with Bona Wood Floor Cleaner is the safest and most effective combination for keeping hardwood floors clean, protected and looking their best.