The 10 Best Cleaning Machines For Hardwood Floors
This wiki has been updated 20 times since it was first published in October of 2018. Hardwood floors are beautiful — but they're magnets for dirt, pet hair, and spills. Fortunately, you can choose wood flooring and keep it looking great, even without breaking your back, thanks to these cleaning machines. They use steam and water to dislodge stains and debris, so you will not have to get on your knees to scrub, and they work well on tile and vinyl, too. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Shark Genius Steam Pocket
2. Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro
3. Dupray Neat Steam
Editor's Notes
September 29, 2020:
Although there are plenty of choices to select from, models from Shark and Bissell still come out on top — perhaps not surprising given their reputation and popularity. As for the former, we've included two models, the Shark Genius Steam Pocket and the Shark Pocket XL. Both release steam, but the Genius model has three settings and is the fancier of the two. But if you would rather a model that doesn't make steam, there's the Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro or the Bissell SpinWave Powered. The former can wash and vacuum a floor all at once, while the latter has spinning heads to tackle all kinds of messes.
If you have robust, commercial needs, check out the Oreck Commercial Orbiter, instead. It has a 50-foot power cord, a 13-inch cleaning path, and multi-floor capabilities; in short, everything you need to tackle large or stubborn jobs.
No matter which one of these models you select for cleaning the hardwood in your home, however, keep in mind that most are made for sealed, rather than unsealed, flooring. Putting too much water on unsealed wood floors, or using a brush with hard bristles, can damage them or shorten their lifespan. Fortunately, manufacturers almost always give guidelines about which types of flooring a machine can handle, so whether you're grabbing a steam mop or a vacuum to freshen up your hardwood, you'll want to pay close attention to this information.
October 30, 2018:
Included the Oreck Commercial ORB550MC for business owners and custodial services, even though it might be overkill for the average homeowner. Added the Light 'N' Easy S7339 due in large part to the bendable handle, which is great for users with back problems or other mobility issues.
Special Honors
Basic Coatings Dirt Dragon For heavy-duty or commercial needs, the Basic Coatings Dirt Dragon is a reliable, albeit expensive, choice. Even though it offers an amply-sized 3-gallon solution tank, and can tackle 10,000 square feet per hour, it boasts an ergonomic handle and smooth rear casters to ensure that it's a breeze to operate. Plus, it has an adjustable head pressure for various floor types. basiccoatings.com
Braava Jet M6 It perhaps won't deep clean as well as some larger, more robust machines, but if you're tired of cleaning the floors, why not let the Braava Jet M6 take over? It has a precision jet spray that makes short work of sticky messes or caked on dirt, and you can control it easily from your phone, leaving you with fewer cleaning tasks to worry about. irobot.com
4. Oreck Commercial Orbiter
5. Homitt Scrubber
6. Light 'N' Easy 7338
7. Bissell SpinWave Powered
8. Shark Pocket XL
9. PurSteam ThermaPro
10. Bissell PowerFresh 1940
Melissa Harr is a language-obsessed writer from Chicagoland who holds both a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English. Although she began as a TEFL teacher, earning several teaching certificates and working in both Russia and Vietnam, she moved into freelance writing to satisfy her passion for the written word. She has published full-length courses and books in the realm of arts & crafts and DIY; in fact, most of her non-working time is spent knitting, cleaning, or committing acts of home improvement. Along with an extensive knowledge of tools, home goods, and crafts and organizational supplies, she has ample experience (okay, an obsession) with travel gear, luggage, and the electronics that make modern life more convenient.