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How to clean wooden floors

A newly cleaned hardwood timber floor

Overview

You can keep your wooden floors in top condition with this smart cleaning method. It will make caring for your floors and maintaining their good looks easy.

Steps

1Remove any furniture

Before you start cleaning, remove any furniture from the room that you can. This'll make your job much easier.
A hardwood timber floor covered with dust and debris

2Vacuum the floor

Give the floor a good vacuum to remove any dirt and dust.
A hardwood timber floor being cleaned with a vacuum cleaner

3Prepare the cleaning solution

To make the cleaning solution, half fill your bucket with warm water. Add six drops of dishwashing liquid or half a cup of white vinegar to the water. Then give the solution a good stir with the mop to mix it.
A person adding detergent to a mop bucket

4Mop the floor

Dip the bottom quarter of your mop into the water. Wring out any excess water so your floor doesn't get too wet. As you clean, mop with the grain of the floor for the best result. Rinse and wring the mop as many times as necessary. A good idea is to start in the furthest corner from your door so you don't walk over where you've cleaned.
A hardwood timber floor being cleaned with a mop

5Put your furniture back

Once the floor is dry, you can place the furniture back in the room and enjoy your clean hardwood floors.
A newly cleaned hardwood timber floor

Suggested products

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.