The Best Wood Floor Cleaner for Dog Owners

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber
Published on
March 20th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben has over a decade of experience in cleaning projects of all types along the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning and leading teams goes back as far as he can remember.

The Cleaning Institute

Hardwood floors contribute to the design and quality of homes and are known to have a high level of durability. It’s important for homeowners to maintain the quality of the floors to ensure that they continue to look beautiful and remain in excellent condition, which can be difficult if you have a dog in your home. Using a wood floor cleaner is necessary to protect the wood surface and finish, especially in your dog’s areas of high traffic. The Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner is our top pick for its ability to remove dirt and grime without causing unsightly streaks. It’s eco-friendly and is safe to use around children or animals. We gave an honorable mention to Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner for its ease of use. Our green pick is the Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill, which has a natural scent and added ability to polish while cleaning hardwood and laminate flooring.

Testing Categories

Odor: We chose scent as one of our main factors during the ranking process. We tested how natural each product was and if it left behind too strong of a smell that we worried would affect a dog.

Application: We evaluated the steps involved for applying each product to determine how easy it was to use. We also reviewed the clarity of the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Results: Finally, we evaluated each wood cleaner based on the level of cleanliness they delivered. We tested to determine if each product left behind any residue and how long the results lasted.

Top Pick

Wood
& Laminate
Floor Cleaner

The Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner is a no-rinse hypoallergenic formula that is useful to use on wood surfaces. It’s ideal to use on engineered flooring, wood and laminate. It can restore the appearance of natural wood and remove blemishes left by your dog.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner has a scent that is pleasant and is similar to fabric softener but isn’t overpowering. The formula is also streak-free and allows the floors to look like they’ve been professionally cleaned. It also dries quickly without needing to be wiped off, so you can rest easy that your dog won\'t find a pool of cleaner to lick. It’s easy to use and only needs to be sprayed before it’s wiped away; you don’t have to worry about having to let it sit. It doesn’t leave any streaks or residue behind once it’s applied. One of the main ingredients in the formula is PS3, which is a revolutionary additive that is a triple-action poly shield. It prevents soil from attaching to the surface upon application. This wood floor cleaner is gentle on floors and won’t strip away your finish. It will also protect the moisture in the wood to prevent it from drying out or cracking over time. A little amount of the Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner covers a large surface, so one bottle is sure to last a while. This is a water-based cleaner that is non-toxic and removes oil, dirt, food, beverages and footprints. The product is made in the U.S.

Biggest downsides: Over time, the product can leave behind build-up, which causes a film to form on the surface of the wood floors. This may irritate your dog. The product can also feel sticky and take longer to dry if too much is applied. You may also notice footprints left behind after walking on the clean floors. The Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner is ideal for lighter cleaner projects and may not be useful for deep cleaning hardwood floors. This product also may not be able to lift some deep stains.

Honorable Mention

Black Diamond
Stoneworks Wood &
Laminate Floor Cleaner

The Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner is a no-rinse hypoallergenic formula that is ideal to use on laminate, wood and engineered wood surfaces.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Black Diamond Stoneworks cleaner has a faint scent that is natural and doesn’t smell like chemicals. It can be used in small rooms or areas of the home without overpowering the space. The product can be quickly sprayed and wiped away as it works effectively on different types of wood flooring materials. The formula is eco-friendly and biodegradable, which makes it safe to use around your dog. PS3 is one of this product’s main ingredients and is used to prevent streaks from forming. It’s important to test the cleaner on a small area of the floors before using it across the entire surface. The floor cleaner also preserves the finish on the wood to ensure that the material is protected. The high-quality ingredients that are used prevent the floors from becoming dull over time or losing their shine. You also won’t have to rinse your floors after the product is applied. Stains, oil, dirt and beverages are gently lifted from the floors to preserve their quality and enhance their appearance.

Biggest downsides: The Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner has a tendency to leave behind a cloudy residue, which may draw your dog\'s attention. You should also take care to spray the product lightly; applying too thick a layer hurts the product’s effectiveness. Footprints may appear after the product is applied. It is not ideal to use for deep cleaning.

Green Pick

Method Squirt +
Mop Hardwood
Floor Cleaner Refill

The Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill works effectively on hardwood floors as a non-toxic product that is safe to use around dogs.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Method wood cleaner can also be used on ceramic tiles. It has a natural, chemical-free smell that doesn’t linger. It’s surface-safe and contains plant-based ingredients as a biodegradable cleaner that gently removes dirt, grime and paw prints. It’s also easy to use: kust squirt it on the floor and mop it away. There is no need to rinse off the product after it’s applied. Scuffs and scratches left by your dog are also removed well and allow the wood surface to look new again. It’s not abrasive, which prevents damage from occurring to your floors. The product is naturally derived and is never tested on animals or people. The bottle is also made from 100 percent plastic, which makes it one of the most eco-friendly wood floor cleaners on the market. It’s formulated for sealed hardwood and laminate floors. The texture is thin enough to prevent it from building up or causing a film to develop. The Method cleaner polishes the floors well without making them appear overly greasy and shiny.

Biggest downsides: The Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill contains DMDM Hydantoin, which is a formaldehyde releaser and can be toxic. It can also leave certain wood floors looking hazy once it’s applied. The coating that is left behind can make it difficult to clean the floors as effectively. Some scuffs or scratches that are initially removed when cleaning the floors can reappear at a later time. Some streaks may also appear on certain types of wood flooring.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Wood Floor Cleaning

Remove loose dirt and dog fur on the wood floors by vacuuming or sweeping the hard surface. Use a wood floor cleaner while going with the grain of the wood with smooth strokes. Avoid using water if the floors are shellacked or lacquered, as this can lead to damage. The wood cleaning product should have an average pH level of seven to prevent damage to the floors.

The floor can be buffed with the use of a clean cloth and circular strokes. Avoid using water, soap-based cleaners, steam, wax or vinegar on the floors.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Although many of the wood floor cleaning products on today’s market are eco-friendly, they should still be stored in a locked cabinet away from pets and children. Ingesting the products or getting them in your eyes can be hazardous. Keep the products sealed in a dark storage area of the home that is room temperature to preserve the product and increase its shelf life.

The Best Wood Floor Cleaner for Dog Owners

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Wood
& Laminate
Floor Cleaner

Black Diamond
Stoneworks Wood &
Laminate Floor Cleaner

Method Squirt +
Mop Hardwood
Floor Cleaner Refill

All Our Picks

Wood
& Laminate
Floor Cleaner

Black Diamond
Stoneworks Wood &
Laminate Floor Cleaner

Method Squirt +
Mop Hardwood
Floor Cleaner Refill

Tips for Effective Wood Floor Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Wood Floor Cleaner for Dog Owners

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Thurber

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Wood& Laminate Floor Cleaner

Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood &Laminate Floor Cleaner

Method Squirt + Mop HardwoodFloor Cleaner Refill

All Our Picks

Wood& Laminate Floor Cleaner

Black Diamond Stoneworks Wood &Laminate Floor Cleaner

Method Squirt + Mop HardwoodFloor Cleaner Refill

Tips for Effective Wood Floor Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Wood
& Laminate
Floor Cleaner

Black Diamond
Stoneworks Wood &
Laminate Floor Cleaner

Method Squirt +
Mop Hardwood
Floor Cleaner Refill

Wood
& Laminate
Floor Cleaner

Black Diamond
Stoneworks Wood &
Laminate Floor Cleaner

Method Squirt +
Mop Hardwood
Floor Cleaner Refill