Q&A for How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors

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Can you damp mop engineered wood floors?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services. She received a BS in Biology and Sociology from Indiana University.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

Yes, you can use a damp mop. Just make sure the mop isn't sopping wet. Wring it out so that it's just damp because you don't need much wetness to clean engineered wood floors.

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Question

How do I clean an engineered wood floor without getting streaks on it?

Community Answer

Towel-dry the area as you go. It's the last job my tea towels do before they hit the laundry bin.

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Question

Can I use Windex cleaner on hardwood floors?

Community Answer

Windex is ammonia-based, and the article says not to use ammonia. So I wouldn't recommend it.

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Question

How do I clean engineered hardwood when there is a film buildup?

Community Answer

A friend of mine is a housekeeper. She recommends a bucket of warm water with a bit of dishwashing liquid mixed in. I have the same problem.

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Question

Can I use a Bissell Symphony on engineered wood flooring?

Community Answer

Is it a steamer? If so, no. If it puts out a lot of water, the answer is also no.

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Question

How do I clean an engineered hardwood floor when I don't know the manufacturer? I bought the house and didn't receive that information.

Community Answer

You can't go wrong with just warm water and maybe a little Murphy's Oil Soap. Stay away from harsh chemical cleaners.

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Question

I want to clean my engineered wood flooring on my hands and knees so I can really see the dirt in edges and corners. What product can I use?

Community Answer

Use hot water and vinegar, or try a steamer.

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Question

I have dark wood engineered hardwood cherry floors, and I clean them with Bruce as recommended but there are times they feel sticky. What else can I use?

Community Answer

Try just using warm water or water and a small amount of white vinegar. It may be that you are using too much of a cleansing solution and the heavy concentration may be leaving a sticky residue behind.

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Question

I am a tenant, and all of the flooring in my house is engineered hardwood. How do I clean it if I don't know the manufacturer?

Community Answer

The manufacturer of the wood is not important; you need to know the manufacturer of the cleaning product that claims to be "safe" on wood floors.

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Question

I used Bona hardwood floor cleaner on my engineered floors and it left streaks that I can't get rid of. What should I do?

Community Answer

Rinse the fiber mop head as you go and squeeze out all excess water, as best you can as it's this water that leaves the streaks. Try it again with very little water and it should be better.

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Question

I have seen online that using "Mean Green" on my engineered hardwood won't hurt it. Is that true?

Community Answer

No, it's not. It might not hurt the environment, but it will certainly hurt your wood floor, engineered or not.

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Question

Can I use bleach water to clean engineered hardwood floors?

Community Answer

No, that will eat away at your finish over a short amount of time.

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Question

How do I remove marks on my engineered hardwood floors caused by plastic?

Community Answer

Fill in marks with colored wax pencils used to 'repair' wood surfaces (these can be bought at hardware and box stores). This should help make the wood surface look good as new again.

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Question

Can I use wet Swiffers on engineered hardwood?

Community Answer

Check what the manufacturer of the engineered wood floor says. Many will say not to use a Swiffers mop, so it's probably not a good idea.

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