Hardwood Floor Cleaner: “Nu Oil” vs. Traditional Natural Oils

Understanding the Diffirence

“hardwood floor cleaner” is a broad term, it is critical to buy the right one for your specific floor finish, not just the wood species. Using the wrong cleaner can ruin your floor’s look or void the warranty.

Here is the breakdown based on the two main types of finishes.

1. For Standard Polyurethane Floors
Most common in modern homes. These floors have a plastic-like clear coat (satin, semi-gloss, or gloss) that sits on top of the wood.

Best Overall: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner (The standard silver/blue bottle).

Why: It is water-based, pH-neutral, and leaves zero residue. It cleans the finish without making it dull or sticky.

Best Natural/Eco-Friendly: Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner.

Why: Plant-based ingredients that actually work without harsh scents.

Best for Shine: Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner.

Why: Good if your floors are older and you want to restore a bit of luster, but be careful of buildup over time.

2. For Oil-Finished Floors (Including your Nu Oil)
These floors look matte and natural. The finish penetrates inside the wood.

Best Overall: WOCA Natural Soap.

Why: It cleans and adds a tiny bit of protective fat back into the wood to keep it from drying out.

For Hallmark Floors: Nu Oil Natural Cleaner (or Bona Natural Oil Cleaner—grey bottle, not blue).

Why: Specifically formulated to clean hybrid oil systems without stripping the finish.

⚠️ The “Do Not Use” List
As a homeowner, avoiding the wrong products is often more important than finding the “perfect” one. Avoid these on both types of floors:

Murphy’s Oil Soap: Despite the name, this leaves a waxy residue that attracts dirt and makes it difficult to recoat your floors later.

Vinegar & Water: Vinegar is acidic. Over time, it will eat away the finish (especially polyurethane), making your floors look dull and cloudy.

Steam Mops: The high heat and injected moisture can force water into the cracks, causing planks to warp or cup.

Mop & Glo / Polishes: These add a fake shine layer that eventually flakes off and looks terrible. It is very expensive to sand off.

Summary Recommendation
If you are buying for your Nu Oil floors: Stick to Nu Oil Natural Cleaner or WOCA.

If you have shiny/coated wood floors in other rooms: Buy Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner.