How to Clean Cork Floors

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: November 19, 2022 Approved

Cork flooring, available in a variety of interesting colors and textures, has a rich, earthy appearance. When it comes to maintenance, cork flooring is easily kept in a clean, tip-top shape, much the same way as tile or wood. As an added benefit, it is environmentally friendly flooring, as cork is a renewable, natural material. A small investment of time spent cleaning and caring for your cork floor will pay off with many years of enjoyment.

Things You Should Know

Sweep regularly and mop with a minimal amount of water to avoid oversaturating your cork flooring.
Cork flooring doesn’t like being wet, so clean up spills as fast as possible.
Protect your floor with entrance mats, furniture pads, and curtained windows (since cork discolors in excessive natural light).
Reseal your floor whenever the old sealant wears down to keep it in tiptop shape.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleaning the Floor

1
Sweep regularly. Use a soft-bristled broom, a dust mop, or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. Depending on how heavily you use the area, repeat 2–7 times a week, or whenever you notice it getting dusty. If you wait too long, grit and dirt may gouge and scratch your cork floor.
- Never vacuum without a soft brush attachment, as this can scratch the floor permanently.^{[1]
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2
Mop weekly with minimal water. Fill a bucket with warm water and white vinegar, using .25 cups (59 mL) of vinegar for each 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Dip a sponge mop or microfiber cloth in the bucket and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe the floor with enough of the mixture on the mop or cloth to leave a damp sheen, not standing puddles, which can harm the floor.^{[2]
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3
Clean with stronger treatments occasionally. Monthly or whenever your floor looks dirty, mop with a stronger solution. Instead of vinegar, use mild cork-floor or wood-floor detergent, diluted according to label instructions.
- You may use another mild, pH-neutral cleaner, but test it underneath furniture first to see if it leaves a mark. Go easy if using dish soap or another sudsy cleaner, as too much of it can leave a soapy film on the floor.^{[3]
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4
Wipe up spills as soon as possible. Use an absorbent towel or soft cloth to wipe up spills on your cork floor as soon as they happen. Never allow moisture to remain on your cork floor. Although cork is durable and moisture-resistant, cork is a type of wood flooring, and will eventually absorb moisture if it isn't removed.
- If the spill has caused a stain, use the vinegar or detergent solution described above. Repeat with a more concentrated solution if necessary, or look for a specialized cork floor cleaning product.
5
Perform a deep clean. For an extremely dirty floor that hasn't been properly maintained, use one of the following treatments:^{[4]
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- If the floor has a polyurethane finish, rent a floor machine and 00-grade wool disks. Reapply the finish after cleaning.
- If the floor has a wax finish, clean with liquid solvent wax. If this doesn't do the trick, use a buffer (low-speed floor machine) with 00 steel wool disks, followed by lamb's wool disks and another application of wax.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Preventing Damage

1
Reduce sunlight. Protect cork floors from bright sunlight, which will fade the colors of the floor. Use curtains, drapes, window tint, blinds, or other window treatments to block strong light.
2
Prevent scuffing from the furniture. To allow for easy movement and distribute weight, the place felt pads under all heavy pieces of furniture. Put a protective mat under office chairs and other wheeled furniture.^{[5]
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3
Install mats near entrances and sinks. Use breathable mats made of natural fibers to collect moisture and dirt. Avoid mats with rubber or other non-porous backings, which may trap moisture and cause discoloration. Wipe your feet each time you enter to avoid tracking grit and dirt onto your cork flooring.
4
Protect your floor from moisture. When cork floors get wet, they expand, warp, and may ultimately crack.^{[6]
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Research source} If you spill water on your floor, wipe it up immediately. Avoid placing items on your floor that may make it wet, such as humidifiers.
- If you have house plants, put trays or basins underneath them to catch any water that overflows or leaks from the pot.
5
Reapply your floor’s sealant as it wears down. Cork tiles come pre-treated with sealant, but this will wear down eventually. Ideally, reapply using a sealant recommended by the manufacturer, or at least one that specifically mentions cork on the label. This is usually a water-based polyurethane finish. You may use curable oil or hard wax oil, but these are more work to apply and last for a shorter time.^{[7]
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- Typically, to apply polyurethane, gently abrade the floor and roll on the finish using a foam roller. Leave it untouched for 24–48 hours. Follow the instructions on your finish label if it gives contradictory advice.
- Floor-stripping chemicals may harm the cork. To avoid having to use them, stick with the same type of finish each time.
- A typical home may get 5–10 years of use out of a polyurethane finish, or 1.5–2 years from wax.^{[8]
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  Research source} Cork floors in busy public buildings or businesses may need sealing every few months.

Expert Q&A

Question

Will using a Swiffer Wet Jet harm the floor?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

It is best to dry mop, and use as little moisture as possible. The Swiffer Wet Jet will likely add more water to the flooring than is needed, or safe.
Question

What can I use to put a shine finish on the cork floor?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

You can use a polyurethane sealant on the cork - this will protect the floor and give it a clear shine.
Question

Can I use Murphy's oil soap on my cork floor?

Community Answer

No as this will cause your floor to soften and make it look dull.

Warnings

Never use bleach, ammonia, or other harsh cleaners, which may damage your floor.

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Never clean a cork floor with a steam cleaner. This will damage your floor by causing it to become too damp.

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Once a floor has been waxed, polyurethane finishes will never be effective.^{[10]
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Research source} You must continue to treat with wax or oil.

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Never use abrasive scrubbers or a vacuum cleaner with a beater brush, as these can rip your cork floor.

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If you have a dog, trim its nails regularly, or they could leave scratch marks.

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