With all of our years of testing bottles of floor cleaners at home and in The Lab, we know it's important to find a product that will give you professional cleaning results that effectively lift stubborn stains, won’t leave streaks or residue behind, and have a powerful yet non-abrasive formula that’s easy to use with minimal effort. All in all, a great floor cleaner can keep your tile, hardwood floor, or laminate looking clean and fresh—without being too harsh and abrasive.
Lucky for you, we’ve done all the hard work for you by scouting out the best floor cleaners. We evaluated 19 sprays and concentrates over a total of 16 hours in the lab. First, we applied various stains, such as tomato paste, red crayon, dirt, and dark soda, to our test floors and left them to sit for an hour. Then, after seeing the results for ourselves, we handpicked our top 10 favorites.
We made our floor cleaning selections based on the type of flooring the product can be used on, ease of use, formula type, finish, and overall value. We especially focused on whether there was any remaining stickiness, residue, and streaks after testing.
Editor's Note: This review was revised in July 2024 to include new recommended products to assist you with cleaning your floors.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Value:
Best for Tile:
Best for Laminate:
Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner at Amazon$14
Best for Hardwood:
Best Quick Drying:
Best for Deep Cleaning:
Best Concentrate:
Best Shine:
Best Eco-Friendly:
Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate at Amazon$12
What We Like
Easy ready-to-use formula
Eco-friendly ingredients
Removes tough stains
What We Don't Like
May not work as well on grout
Out of all of our tests, the floor cleaner that came out on top was Quick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner. Simply spraying the product as is, we loved the ease of use from this handy mist bottle that allows for even application without overusing the product. There’s no need to dilute this cleaner or wait for the product to soak in. The cleaner is powerful enough to remove tough floor stains—even a tomato paste smudge—with just a little extra elbow grease.
Two minutes after using it, we found that the floor looked clean and dry, and there was no residue left behind when we wiped over the floor. It’s worth noting that although the tile and hardwood cleaned up nicely with a single use, the grout still had a very faint stain from the dark soda and tomato paste.
While there is a vague scent of citrus, this cleaner had a pretty weak smell. If you’re someone who likes a strong-smelling cleaner to refresh your space, this may not be the best pick for you. For people with sensitivities, we think this is a great pick. It’s also recognized by the U.S. EPA Safer Choice Program, meaning it’s safe for kids and pets, and is free from harsh ingredients and dyes.
Bottle size: 24 ft. oz. l Scent: None l Surface compatibility: Hardwood, vinyl, tile, laminate
Conduct a Patch Test
When using a new cleaning product, do a patch test instead of diving straight in and potentially ruining your floor. Always check the manufacturer’s directions to see if you need to wear gloves or ventilate the room you are cleaning with a ceiling fan or other device.
What We Like
Works on multiple floor types
Kills germs and bacteria
Tough on stains
What We Don’t Like
Not for use on oiled, waxed, or unfinished floors
To get the best value for money, consider the Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner. At less than $5 per bottle, this is on the low end of our scale in terms of price versus other products tested. This cleaner is as effective at removing germs as it is cleaning dirt and grime. In fact, it kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19.
We found that the versatile cleaner worked very well for erasing dirt, dark soda, and red crayon, but the tomato spill took a little extra product and elbow grease to remove. The grout still had a slight stain from the dark soda after cleaning. You can use Lysol on many hard, non-porous surfaces, but it should be avoided on oiled, waxed, or unfinished floors as it can cause damage to the surfaces.
You’ll need to dilute this product, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully. For general mopping, dilute ¼ cup of cleaner into one gallon of warm water. For a more powerful clean, increase the solution-to-water ratio.
We found that the sparkling lemon and sunflower essence scent left a fresh and fruity smell without being too overpowering. Despite there only being one scent available, we found it to be both clean and refreshing. You’ll just need to be careful using Lysol around children and pets, because it can cause harm to those with sensitive skin.
Bottle size: 1.13 gal. l Scent: Sparkling lemon and sunflower l Surface compatibility: Hard, non-porous
Cleaning Tip From a Pro
Whenever you're diluting a solution, make sure that you're following the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle. If you use too much formula and not enough water, then you’ll have to rinse it off, explains Michael Silva-Nash, vice president of operations at Molly Maid. “If you're using the correct amount of dilution, then you can just let it dry on its own,” he says.
What We Like
Good for larger areas
No pre-mixing
No bleach or alcohol
What We Don’t Like
Leaves slight residue
For cleaning floor tiles, we suggest using the Better Life Floor Cleaner. It’s a cleaner ideal for tackling large surface areas. You can squirt it directly onto the floor or use it on a mop. We used the cleaner with a damp mop and found that a little product went a long way and gave a powerful clean.
For a more thorough job, we would use this cleaner directly on the floor—and for tougher messes, leave it to soak for a couple of minutes before wiping away. Quick and easy to use, the cleaner works on hardwood, tile, marble, laminate, vinyl, and more.
It dries in an instant and doesn’t need to be rinsed, but it may leave a sticky residue if too much product is used. We liked the scent of the cleaner—Citrus Mint—which left a fresh odor after cleaning. Plus, the product is made with no petroleum solvents, chlorine, bleach, sodium lauryl, or sodium laureth sulfates.
Bottle size: 32 fl. oz. l Scent: Citrus mint l Surface compatibility: Hardwood, tile, marble, laminate, vinyl
Best for Laminate
Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
What We Like
Streak-free
Fresh scent
Safe to use around kids and pets
What We Don’t Like
Only removes some stains
For laminate floors especially, our choice is the Black Diamond Floor Cleaner, which is known for having a great reputation. After testing with this cleaner, we found that the stains that came out the best were the dirt and the soda. Very little scrubbing was needed on either the tile or the wood. We did note, however, that the crayon did not come out—no matter how much it was scrubbed or product was applied.
As a water-based cleaner made with gentle ingredients, we also like that this cleaner is safe to use in households with kids and pets.We also love that this wood and laminate cleaner comes in a convenient spray bottle to ensure even distribution and that not too much solution is needed.
During our testing, we found that the cleaner scent was subtle and dissipated quickly, but was pleasant and didn’t smell as chemical as other cleaners. Instead, it smelled fresh and clean and was not overpowering or too strong. Best used on a microfiber cloth or mop, there was only a slight residue left behind after we cleaned our floors.
Bottle size: 32 fl. oz. l Scent: Scent-free l Surface compatibility: Wood, laminate
Best for Hardwood
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
What We Like
Eco-friendly ingredients
Quick to use
Refillable bottle
What We Don’t Like
Needs to be used with a mop
Hardwood floors need extra special care, which is why we picked Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner as our best hardwood cleaner. During our testing, the stains were pretty easy to remove, with the red crayon being the toughest to get out. Still, this bottle was more effective than other cleaners we put through the same tests.We found the bottle easy to spray and wiping up any stain was a smooth and simple process.
The spray bottle is made from 30 percent post-consumer recycled materials and the cleaner is formulated with plant-based ingredients. It's also scent-free, meaning it’s a great pick for those with sensitivities.
The water-based cleaner works as effectively as stronger, chemical-filled cleaners. Plus, there is no residue, streaks, obnoxious odors, and it's safe for the environment.
Bottle size: 32 fl. oz. l Scent: Scent-free l Surface compatibility: Hardwood
What We Like
Safe for all sealed hard surfaces
No rinsing needed
Two spray options
What We Don’t Like
No scent option
For a versatile, all-purpose cleaner that performs well on many different floor types, we think the Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray works wonders. There are two spray options so you can tailor the amount of product used depending on the size of the floor or the stain.Unlike many cleaners, there is no scent, which may be a pro for some.
During our testing, the crayon, dark soda, and dirt came out with a couple of squirts and one wipe. The tomato paste required an additional bit of cleaner and more aggressive wiping. There’s no need to rinse after using the cleaner and the floor was completely dry in less than two minutes, which is great when used in high-traffic areas. We also found that there was no residue left behind.The spray is made from a pH-neutral formula, meaning it will protect floors from any discoloration or harm.
Bottle size: 32 fl. oz. l Scent: Scent-free l Surface compatibility: Linoleum, stone, vinyl, laminate, luxury vinyl tile (LVT)
What We Like
No residue
Excellent stain remover
Works on multiple surfaces
What We Don’t Like
Overpowering scent
To truly give your floors a deep clean, look no further than the Mr. Clean Summer Citrus Scent Antibacterial Multi Surface All Purpose Cleaner. True to its reputation, this cleaner took out stains like a champ. It cleaned our stains easily on tile with the exception of the tomato paste, which needed some extra solution and a little elbow grease. On the wood, it erased the crayon smudge, which overall was a harder substance to remove.
After drying, the area was completely stick-free, streak-free and clean smelling because the product scent didn't linger. When the cleaner was actually being used, the citrus scent was rather overpowering.It’s also important to pay special attention to the directions on the bottle, since dilution may be needed.
Bottle size: 40 fl. oz. l Scent: Summer citrus l Surface compatibility: Linoleum, stone, vinyl, laminate, luxury vinyl tile (LVT)
What We Like
A little goes a long way
Works as a disinfectant
Versatile
What We Don’t Like
Not for unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled floors
Pine-Sol All Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner is a wonderful option for those who prefer a concentrated solution. With a concentrated cleaner, a little product goes a long way which makes it great value. Just add ¼ cup of solution for each one gallon of water.
This solution is also a powerful disinfectant and is said to kill 99.9 percent of viruses, as well as COVID-19. We found that Pine-Sol has a powerful scent—and it did a better job of cleaning than many of the bottles we tried. We were impressed that it cleaned the same stains with relatively less effort and left behind no residue. Be aware that this cleaner is not suitable for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled, or worn flooring.
Bottle size: 24 fl. oz. l Scent: Original pine l Surface compatibility: Carpet, tiles, wood
What We Like
Simple to use
Dries quickly
No streaks or residue
What We Don’t Like
Not as powerful
For super sparkly floors, the Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner has shine booster technology. As with other cleaners on this list, it removed most of the stains with ease except for the red crayon. Extra sprays were required and some of the stains remained. It may be worth leaving the solution to soak in for a few minutes before wiping away for a deeper clean. When it comes to general product residue, there wasn’t any leftover and the product dried within seconds.
We felt that the premixed formula made it much easier to clean with. The bottle felt comfortable to hold and it was easy to move the trigger—the spray nozzle could be turned off, but it only had one level for spraying which covered a large area. Rejuvenate has a slight industrial scent, similar to Windex and 409 but not as strong. Still, we found the scent dissipated quickly after spraying.
Bottle size: 32 fl. oz. l Scent: Fresh scent l Surface compatibility: Laminate, tiles, vinyl, linoleum, and hardwood
What We Like
Multiple scent options
Plant-based ingredients
Effective cleaner
What We Don’t Like
Needs to be diluted
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly floor cleaner, the Seventh Generation Multi Surface Cleaner Concentrate is our top pick. It effectively removed three out of four of our stains and there was no residue left behind.
As it’s a concentrated formula, we needed to mix the Seventh Generation cleaner in a spray bottle. We mixed three ounces of concentrate with 20 ounces of water. Their cleaning process was to spray the dirt spot five to six times and then let the solution soak in for around 10 seconds. This proved to be an effective method to achieve a clean, streak-free floor that also removed (some) stains. The scent was fresh and floral, which was a pleasant change from the industrial smell that other floor cleaners may have. There are multiple fragrances available that will suit many preferences; the Lemon and Morning Meadow scents will give a soft perfumed finish, while the Free & Clear option is great for those with sensitivities.
Bottle size: 32 fl. oz. l Scent: Lemon chamomile, lemon, free & clear, morning meadow, sparking seaside l Surface compatibility: Laminate, tiles, vinyl, linoleum, and hardwood
Final Verdict
Based on our testing, the best overall floor cleaner is the Quick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner. Just as its name suggests, it’s quick to use and leaves perfectly polished floors. It's effective at removing stains and doesn’t leave behind any residue. We discovered there are plenty of other effective options on the market, too, including Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner, which we rated as our best value pick, and Pine-Sol All Purpose Multi-Surface Cleaner, our best concentrate option.
How We TestedFloor Cleaners
To find the best floor cleaners, we went through rigorous testing to determine which ones were the best for removing stains and providing an overall clean finish.Four stains, including tomato paste, dirt, crayon marks, and sticky soda, were added to our test floors and left to sit for an hour before being cleaned. This gave each product an even playing field for treating the spills. We used a microfiber cloth to wipe up the stains on the floors to fairly assess how the solution performed on each stain and on various floor surfaces.
What to Look for in a Floor Cleaner
Pay Attention to Floor Compatibility
Make sure that the cleaner you use will work well on your floor without causing any discoloration or damage. Be sure to read labels to see what type of material is compatible with the cleaner. For instance, we found Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner to be our best hardwood floor cleaner because it’s formulated specifically for this floor type. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use other types of cleaners on your wooden floor—just make sure the ingredients are free of harsh chemicals and that the cleaner is suitable for treated wood or non-porous surfaces.
Consider Drying Time
During our testing, we noted how quickly each cleaner took to dry. Typically, it only took two minutes. Regardless of which product you choose, make sure the floor is fully dry before placing furniture back on top of the floor. And for high-traffic areas, choose an effective, quick-drying formula like Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray (our best quick drying pick). If you have the time, leave your floors alone for at least 15 minutes after cleaning. Be sure to work backwards from one corner of the room to another to avoid walking on wet areas, says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid.
Check Ingredients
Pay attention to the cleaner’s ingredients and your specific needs. “Avoid cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, or strong fragrances that can irritate pets' sensitive noses and potentially be harmful if ingested,” Mock says. If you live with kids or pets, opt for a gentle solution, such as Black Diamond Floor Cleaner, which is water-based and hypoallergenic. Quick Shine Multiple Surface Cleaner has also been recognized by the U.S. EPA Safer Choice Program as a family-friendly formula that’s suitable for use around furry friends and tiny tots.
The Checkout Counter
If you're planning to clean your floors, these products might be helpful, too.
- The best broom: Our favorite broom and dustpan set, the OXO Good Grips Sweep Set, is a duo we highly recommend to sweep away dust and debris. The dustpan has a long handle that can be held upright and a built-in comb, which means no more straining your back as you sweep!
- A set of microfiber towels: Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are great for household cleanups and are among the best microfiber towels we’ve tested. Available in sets of 12 and 24, they are super absorbent and great for dusting, buffing, scrubbing, and polishing household surfaces, including floors.
- Our favorite microfiber floor mop: We’ve tested dozens of the best mops, and the Bona Premium Microfiber Floor Mop is one we recommend that's effective yet gentle to clean your floors.
One More Thing
From our testing experience, a smart mopping technique is to begin at one end of the room and finish at the exit. Areas that collect extra dirt, such as in front of sinks and kitchen appliances, may need more than one go. Dirty mops and cleaning solution can easily spread grime and germs across your floor, especially if your area is heavily soiled. That’s why changing the cleaning solution and mop head as needed during your cleaning session is a good idea, says Susan Stoeckl, maintenance specialist with AHF Products (Armstrong Flooring).
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Kershaw has been a contributor to The Spruce since 2023. She has reviewed hundreds of cleaning products and appliances, using her expertise in the home space. For this piece, she analyzed lab results of dozens of floor cleaners based on cleaning power, scent, affordability, and more.
Our Experts:
- Marla Mock, president at Molly Maid
- Susan Stoeckl, maintenance specialist with AHF Products (Armstrong Flooring)
- Michael Silva-Nash, vice president of operations at Molly Maid
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