If you have hardwood floors in your home, keeping them looking beautiful requires regular cleaning. But with so many floor cleaners on the market, how do you know which one is best?
Two of the most popular brands are Bruce and Bona hardwood floor cleaners. But they have some key differences.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Bruce and Bona floor cleaners to help you decide which is better for cleaning and caring for your hardwood floors. We’ll look at:
- How Bruce and Bona work
- Key features of each floor cleaner
- Pros and cons of Bruce vs Bona
- Cost comparisons
- FAQs about Bruce and Bona floor cleaners
By the end, you’ll know exactly which cleaner is right for your needs and hardwood floors. Let’s dive in!
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Bruce Floor Cleaner | Bona Floor Cleaner |
| Formula | Soap-based | Water-based |
| Residue | Leaves dulling detergent residue | No residue |
| Shininess | Can dull floors over time | Enhances shine and luster |
| Price | $5 – $14 per bottle | $10 – $17 per bottle |
| Availability | Found in home improvement stores | Mostly online |
| Cleaning Power | Good for daily cleaning | Excellent grease-cutting ability |
| Floor Finish | Can damage finish with repeated use | Gentle on floor finish |
Key Takeaways:
- Bona cleaners are water-based while Bruce uses soap formulas, which can cause buildup over time.
- Bona cleans well without leaving behind any dulling residue, while Bruce leaves a detergent film that can cloud floors.
- Bona products are a bit more expensive upfront but maintain floor shine and finish better long-term.
- For budget-friendly cleaning, Bruce works decently but may require more periodic restoration to remove residue buildup.
- Bruce cleaners work best if paired with their Revive product 1-2 times per year to remove dulling film.
- Bona is considered safer and ideal for keeping hardwood floors looking their best over many years.
- Always follow label instructions carefully and test any new cleaner in inconspicuous areas first.
How Bruce And Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaners Work?
Before looking at individual products, let’s understand how Bruce and Bona floor cleaners work in general:
- Bruce Floor Cleaners
Bruce floor cleaners use a soap-based formula to clean dirt, grime, and buildup from hardwood floors. They contain detergents and surfactants that help break down oils and residue.
Bruce also makes floor “finishes” that contain polymers and acrylics to add a protective coat to your floors. This helps resist stains, scuffs, and scratches.
- Bona Floor Cleaners
Bona uses an entirely different approach than Bruce.
Bona cleaners are water-based and don’t contain any soaps or detergents. Instead, they use proprietary ingredients and polymers to break down residue when mixed with water.
The big advantage to Bona’s water-based cleaners is they don’t leave any dulling detergent film behind. This helps floors retain their shine and luster after cleaning.
Now let’s see how these formulas stack up in specific Bruce and Bona products…
Comparing Key Features of Bruce and Bona Floor Cleaners
Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner is an affordable, everyday cleaner designed for all finished hardwood, laminate, and engineered floors.
Key features:
- Soap-based formula – Contains detergents and surfactants to break down dirt, oils, and grime
- Fresh clean scent – Leaves behind a clean, fresh fragrance after cleaning
- Use with Bruce Revive Floor Cleaner – Can be used together with Bruce Revive as part of regular cleaning regimen
- Safe for floors – Won’t harm floor finish when used as directed
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is Bona’s flagship cleaner, designed for all sealed hardwood floors. It is exclusively formulated with water and plant-based cleaning agents.
Key features:
- Water-based formula – Uses only water and Bona’s plant-based cleaning agents, no detergents
- Grease-cutting power – Plant-based agents cut through grease, dirt, and grime
- No dulling residue – Leaves no detergent film behind to dull floors
- Safe for floors – Gentle formula won’t damage floor finish
- Fast drying – Floors dry fast with no leftover residue
Bruce Revive Floor Cleaner
Bruce Revive Floor Cleaner is Bruce’s deep-cleaning and restorative formula. It’s designed to remove dulling buildup from soap-based cleaners.
Key features:
- Cleans away residue – Removes dirt, soap scum, and dulling residue
- Restores shine – Chemically cleans to restore luster and shine
- For periodic use – Use monthly or quarterly for a deep clean
- High-performance formula – Concentrated strength for removing buildup
- Works with Bruce soap cleaner – Can be used in tandem for routine cleaning
Bona Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner
Bona Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner tackles the toughest dirt and grime that regular cleaners can’t remove. It’s safe for all sealed hardwood floors.
Key features:
- Heavy-duty cleaner – Penetrates and removes the deepest dirt and grime
- Water-based formula – Uses only water and plant-based cleaning agents
- Safe on finish – Won’t negatively impact floor finish or sheen
- For periodic use – Use quarterly or as needed for a deeper clean
- Low residue – Doesn’t leave heavy, dulling residue behind
Bruce And Bona Floor Cleaners: Pros and Cons
Now that we’ve looked at key products and features, let’s directly compare the pros and cons of Bruce and Bona floor cleaner formulas:
Bruce Floor Cleaner Pros
- Removes dirt, oils, debris effectively
- Affordable and accessible in home improvement stores
- Leaves a fresh, clean fragrance
- Works well when paired with Bruce Revive
Bruce Cons
- Soap formula leaves a dulling detergent residue over time
- Can build up and damage floor finish
- Doesn’t highlight natural wood grain and shine
Bona Floor Cleaner Pros
- Water-based; no detergents, soaps, or residue
- Leaves hardwoods shiny and lustrous
- Grease-cutting plant-based cleaners
- Gentle on floors; won’t damage finish
- Enhances natural wood look over time
Bona Cons
- Typically more expensive than Bruce
- Less available in local stores; often must buy direct
- May need to use more product for heavier soils
Overall, Bona’s water-based, residue-free cleaners make them a better choice for protecting your hardwood floor’s finish and shine over the long run. But Bruce products can effectively clean on a budget.
Cost Comparison of Bruce and Bona Floor Cleaners
On average, Bona floor cleaners cost $1-3 more per bottle than comparable Bruce cleaners.
However, Bona products go further since they concentrate into more cleaning solution.
Here’s a breakdown of average costs for key Bruce and Bona floor cleaner formulas:
- Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner – 32 oz. bottle for $5 to $9
- Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner – 32 oz. bottle for $10 to $12
- Bruce Revive Cleaner – 32 oz. bottle for $9 to $14
- Bona Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner – 32 oz. bottle for $15 to $17
While Bona cleaners cost more upfront, they can provide better value over time since you may not need to re-coat floors as often due to their non-dulling formulas.
FAQs About Bruce And Bona Floor Cleaners
Still have some questions about choosing between Bruce and Bona floor care products? Here are answers to some of the most common questions:
Yes, Bruce cleaners are effective at removing dirt, dust, debris, and grime from hardwood floors. However, their soap-based formulas leave behind a detergent residue that can build up and cause floors to look dull or hazy over time.
Bruce Revive can remove this residue, but frequent use of soap-based cleaners can damage floor finish, so they may not be ideal for long-term care.
Both consumer reviews and expert recommendations suggest Bona is the #1 brand for safe, effective hardwood floor cleaners. Their water-based formulas help floors retain shine and luster better than soap-based options.
For hardwood floors, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is regarded as the best overall floor cleaner. It cuts through dirt and grease without leaving any dulling residue behind. And it’s safe for all finished hardwood floors.
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is the best wood floor cleaner that doesn’t leave residue. Its water-based, plant-derived formula doesn’t contain any soaps, detergents, or chemicals that leave residue behind to dull and cloud floor’s appearance.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to keeping your hardwood floors looking beautiful, using the right floor cleaner is crucial. Both Bruce and Bona make effective products for cleaning and caring for hardwoods.
Ultimately, Bona hardwood floor cleaners rise above as the better choice for most homeowners. Their water-based formulas deeply clean floors without leaving behind any dulling residue or detergent film. Bona cleans don’t damage floor finishes and help enhance the natural shine and luster of wood over time.
While Bruce floor cleaners can be more budget-friendly and readily available, their soap-based formulas often require additional work to remove residue buildup. For convenience and getting the best long-term results, Bona cleaners are the way to go for clean, polished hardwood floors that will make your home look its best for years to come.
Whichever brand you choose, be sure to follow all label instructions and properly care for your floors. With the right cleaning products and a little elbow grease, you can enjoy stunning hardwood floors that add warmth, beauty and value to your home.