How to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors

Like any wood flooring, engineered hardwoods are an investment. And like any investment, they require proper care to protect their value.

Engineered wood accounted for 50.5% of the wood flooring market in 2024. Over the years, engineered wood floors have emerged as a comparatively low-cost alternative to solid wood floors. This is because engineered wood is relatively less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes (Grand View Research).

The wood market share, in which engineered hardwood has become the market leader, owing to its performance benefits. Source: AHF™

 

To get the most out of your floors, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. But what’s the best way to do that, and what should you avoid?

In this guide, we’ll share expert tips on cleaning engineered hardwood floors, protecting them from everyday wear, and answering the most frequently asked questions about floor care.

But first, a quick refresher on what makes engineered hardwood flooring different from solid wood. And why that matters for cleaning.

Key Takeaways: Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Floors

• Engineered hardwood is more moisture-resistant than solid wood, making it ideal for kitchens, basements, and high-humidity regions. 
• Sweep or vacuum daily to prevent scratches from dirt and debris.
• Clean with a microfiber mop and pH-balanced hardwood cleaner. Avoid excess water and harsh chemicals.
• Never use steam cleaners, abrasive tools, or oil-based soaps — they can damage the finish or core.
• Waterproof options like Bruce® Hydropel® and Dogwood Pro™ make cleaning easier and extend installation areas.
• Keep indoor humidity between 35–55% to reduce movement and maintain floor stability.

Why Use Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

As you’ve learned, engineered hardwood floors have become increasingly popular with homeowners. And why not?

You get the same great looks of solid hardwood flooring, but with an added advantage. Engineered wood floors are more water-resistant than solid wood flooring.

 

“We’ve seen demand for engineered wood skyrocket because it performs better in real-world conditions. Homeowners want floors that can handle pets, spills, and humidity without constant upkeep.”

– Travis Bjorkman, Principal Scientist for Wood, AHF.

 

That’s because their core consists of compressed plywood. That core adds stability to each plank, making it more stable. So, unlike solid hardwoods, engineered floors don’t expand and contract as much when exposed to moisture.

Engineered Hardwood is a Whole-Home Solution

That allows you to use them more confidently in basements, kitchens, and laundry rooms. It also improves performance in high-humidity locations, such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

The hardwood veneer offers a genuine wood floor, available in numerous species such as oak, hickory, maple, and walnut. Typically, an aluminum oxide finish protects that wear layer. So you gain added durability to handle heavy foot traffic.

Want even more details about their differences? Read our blog post about engineered vs. solid wood flooring.

Waterproof Engineered Hardwood

Today’s engineered wood flooring has even expanded to include waterproof options, making it feasible to use in bathrooms. For example, Bruce offers Hydropel, which features six water-protection dimensions to keep the plank’s surfaces (and the hyper-dense core) safe from water damage.

Similarly, its most recent introduction, Dogwood Pro, delivers waterproof performance. But it takes things a step further with densified wood technology. The natural process utilizes heat and pressure to harden standard wood flooring, doubling its hardness.

Even Greater Durability

The net is that the flooring offers four times the scratch resistance and six times the dent resistance of standard hardwoods. Plus, with Cleantivity™ coating technology, the flooring:

• Inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew that may damage the floor
• Protects against odors

It also makes the flooring easier to clean, as damp mopping is now possible.

Caring for Engineered Hardwoods

Caring for engineered hardwoods is similar to caring for solid hardwoods. However, you have a little more flexibility. For example, you can use a damp mop more readily, especially with waterproof versions, than on a solid wood floor.

 

“The number one factor in floor longevity isn’t the finish or the product. It’s how you clean it. Gentle, consistent maintenance does more than any polish or topcoat.”

– Travis Bjorkman, Principal Scientist for Wood, AHF.

 

Otherwise, you follow the same regimen when caring for engineered floors. That regimen looks something like this.

Sweep and Vacuum Your Floors Routinely

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to keep your engineered hardwood floors clean is to sweep or vacuum them regularly.

Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood floor attachment to remove dust, dirt, and debris. This prevents small particles from scratching the surface.

And if you use a robot vacuum, choose one with soft-bristle modes to prevent surface wear.

Use a Microfiber Mop to Remove Debris

Invest in a microfiber mop for daily or weekly cleaning. Microfiber mops are gentle on the floor’s finish. More importantly, they have better cleaning power and are more effective at removing germs than a damp mop.

You can dampen the mop slightly. However, avoid excessive moisture, as it can cause water damage to your floors.

Many newer microfiber mop systems even come with refillable sprayers for pH-balanced cleaners, a smart upgrade from traditional mopping.

Selecting the Right Cleaning Products

Opt for a pH-balanced, hardwood-specific cleaner. You can use a homemade cleaner by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.

Otherwise, you can select from ready-made cleansers, such as Bruce Hardwood &amp ; Laminate Cleaner. It cleans and protects engineered hardwood floors without leaving residue.

Today’s hardwood cleaners are designed with modern finishes in mind. Many are now UV-cured and optimized to avoid haze, streaks, or buildup.

You can dampen a microfiber mop with your cleaner for more stubborn stains and spills. Then, gently clean the area. However, always remember that less is more. So, avoid saturating the floor to prevent standing water.

5 Ways to Protect Your Engineered Hardwood Floors

Regular cleaning keeps your floors in top-notch shape. It also avoids the buildup of dirt and debris that can scratch your floors. However, you can further protect your floors with a few simple additions.

1. Place area rugs or mats at entrances and high-traffic areas. They’ll prevent dirt and moisture from tracking onto the floors.
2. In pet-friendly homes, consider washable rugs or runners to protect high-traffic zones while making cleanup easier.
3. Attach felt or rubber pads to the legs of your furniture to prevent scratches and dents when moving chairs and tables.
4. For even better long-term protection, maintain consistent indoor humidity (ideally 35–55%), especially in seasonal climates. This helps reduce expansion and contraction, even in engineered cores.
5. Be careful with your footwear. Shoes with deep treads can easily pick up small stones that can scratch your floor. High heels can dent or scratch your flooring, especially those made from softer woods like pine and cherry.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Engineered Wood

First, remember that most engineered hardwoods are water-resistant, not waterproof. So avoid soaking your wet mop. Wipe up spills as soon as they occur to prevent them from soaking into the wood.

 

“Modern engineered flooring comes with next-gen finishes that resist scratches and moisture better than ever. But even the best finish needs the right care to stay looking great.”

– Travis Bjorkman, Principal Scientist for Wood, AHF.

 

Second, avoid harsh chemicals, such as ammonia-based cleaners. And despite what you might hear, vinegar-based solutions aren’t suitable for wood flooring.

Although vinegar is sometimes suggested online, it’s acidic and can dull or degrade modern finishes over time, especially with repeated use.

Finally, avoid using wax and oil-based soaps. They can leave a sticky residue that dulls the top layer of your flooring.

Even today, steam cleaners remain a common mistake. They may promise a deep clean, but introduce too much moisture for engineered flooring.

Bruce®: A Go-To Source for Engineered Hardwoods

If you’re considering installing engineered hardwood flooring, Bruce offers nearly 200 options. You can select from popular species in various finishes, including wire-brushed, hand-scraped, distressed, and traditional.

For floors that combine authentic hardwood beauty with waterproof performance, check out Bruce’s Hydropel and Dogwood collections, designed to handle real life.

Bruce products are available at flooring retailers and home centers nationwide. Find one near you using the store locator.

Questions About Cleaning Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Here are some of the most common questions about cleaning engineered hardwoods. If you have any other questions, we’d be happy to hear from you. Just call 1.866.243.2726.

What is the best thing to clean engineered hardwood floors with?

The best tools for cleaning engineered hardwood floors are a microfiber mop or a soft-bristle broom. These tools are gentle on the surface. They effectively remove dust and dirt without scratching.

What should you avoid when cleaning engineered hardwood?

Avoid using excessive water or harsh chemicals. Additionally, avoid abrasive scrub brushes and abrasive cleaners that can damage the finish.

Can you steam-clean engineered hardwood floors?

Steam cleaning engineered hardwood floors is not advisable. Steam can introduce excess moisture into the wood. That can cause warping and damage. Stick to dry or damp cleaning methods to protect your floors.

Can you use Swiffer® wet pads on engineered hardwood flooring?

You can use Swiffer® wet pads on engineered hardwood flooring. They can clean most flooring surfaces.

Is Murphy’s Oil Soap® suitable for engineered hardwoods?

No. Murphy’s Oil Soap® isn’t suitable for engineered floors, contrary to what you might think. It can leave a greasy residue that dulls the surface. It can also discolor and dull the shine.

What are some good homemade cleaners for engineered wood floors?

You make a homemade cleaner by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. Use this solution sparingly, and make sure the mop or cloth is only damp, not wet.

How do you make engineered hardwood floors look new again?

To make engineered hardwood floors look new again, follow these steps:

• Regularly sweep or vacuum to remove dirt and dust.
• Use a gentle wood floor cleaner to clean the surface.
• Apply a hardwood floor polish or refresher to restore shine.
• Address any scratches or damage promptly with touch-up kits.
• Refinish the floor if it has significant wear.

What’s the safest way to clean engineered hardwood if I have pets?

Use a microfiber mop with a gentle, pet-safe cleaner. Avoid scented or harsh chemical solutions, and clean paw prints promptly to avoid damage.

Do robot floor cleaners work on engineered hardwood?

Some robot mops and vacuums are safe. Look for models designed for hardwood with moisture control and soft rollers.