How to Clean & Mop Cork Floors?

As interior design trends shift toward natural, renewable, and eco-conscious materials, cork floors have become a popular choice for kitchens, living rooms and playrooms. Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, cork has a lightly cushioned feel that stays warm and comfortable underfoot.

When properly sealed, its natural suberin helps repel dirt and liquids, making upkeep manageable. Still, cork remains porous and needs gentle cleaning and moisture control. To maximize their lifespan, learn how to clean cork floors safely and what to avoid.

What’s the Best Way to Clean Cork Floors?

The best way to clean cork floors starts with clearing loose grit, followed by gentle damp mopping. Finish by drying the surface to protect the sealant. Excess moisture, harsh chemicals, and abrasive tools should always be avoided. A robot vacuum and mop can easily maintain a care routine with customized settings.

Can You Mop Cork Floors?

Yes, you can mop cork floors as long as you use a damp mop rather than a soaking wet one. To clean the surface safely, choose a mild cleaner and wring the mop thoroughly to prevent water absorption. Standing water can seep into the material and cause swelling or permanent damage, while harsh chemicals can strip the protective sealant.

If you are not sure how to mop your floors, cork is naturally porous, and its finish is delicate. Sealed cork floors with a polyurethane finish are more resistant, and unsealed cork needs extra protection.

Read more: How to Clean Epoxy Floors?

Should You Vacuum or Sweep Cork Floors?

Yes, you should sweep to take away larger debris or vacuum to lift fine grit from cork floor seams and crevices on a regular basis. Clean cork floors with a broom or a robot vacuum with soft bristles, since cork is naturally soft and compressible, making it more prone to scratches and indentations from grit, sharp objects, or heavy furniture.

Most modern cork floors can be cared for similar to how to vacuum hardwoods, as their finishes are either water based or solvent based.

For those worried about how to vacuum floors properly, DEEBOT robot vacuums are slim and lightweight yet efficient to upkeep delicate finishes.

What Tools Should You Use to Clean Cork Floors?

To protect the cork surface, use non-abrasive tools such as a soft bristle broom, a dust mop, or a robot vacuum with a soft brush attachment. For wet cleaning, use a damp microfiber or sponge mop with a pH-neutral or specialized cleaner.

Premium robot vacuums like DEEBOTs come with soft bristle brushes to prevent scuffing, along with adjustable water settings that help avoid soaking cork floors.

Read more: How to Clean Tile Floors?

How to Clean Cork Floors Step by Step?

Cleaning cork floors should start with removing loose dirt on the surface, followed by damp mopping and drying afterward. Always wring out the mop thoroughly and avoid harsh chemicals, acids, or oil-based soaps that can damage the finish.

Step 1: Clear Loose Debris

Begin by sweeping or vacuuming cork floors to clear dust and debris that could scratch the surface during wet cleaning. Advanced robot vacuums like the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone feature TruEdge 3.0 Extreme Edge Cleaning for maximum coverage along corners and edges, while allowing you to set how often to vacuum your floors.

Read more: How to Clean Stone Floors?

Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Robot vacuum and mop users should apply brand-certified cleaning solutions only. DIY users can mix diluted dish soap or a specialized cleaner with warm water, similar to how to clean wood floors, and test the solution on a hidden area first. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper dilution.

Step 3: Spot Clean Spills Immediately

Blot light coffee or juice spills right away with a soft cloth or towel to stop liquid from soaking into the cork pores. For tougher marks, apply a light baking soda paste with a soft brush, then wipe clean and dry. Deeper stains may require gentle fine-grit sanding and resealing.

The DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone uses AI stain detection to identify spills and adjust cleaning automatically for complete removal.

Step 4: Wet and Wring the Mop

Excess water is the biggest enemy of cork floors, as it can sneak into the porous material and cause swelling or warping. When mopping cork floors, wring the mop thoroughly. Moisture control is easier with robot vacuums such as the DEEBOT X9 PRO OMNI, which supports up to 50 water levels through the ECOVACS HOME app.

Read more: How to Clean Concrete Floors?

Step 5: Start Mopping the Floor

Mop cork floors in small sections, following the direction of the tiles or planks. The DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone, for example, features the OZMO ROLLER 2.0 mopping system, which scrubs and rinses cork floors 200 times per minute using a high-density nylon mop roller that is continuously refreshed with clean water.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

If you notice cleaner residue, lightly rinse the floor with clean water and dry mop to remove streaks. You can skip this step if you use a DEEBOT with its dedicated cleaning solution. Ensure good air ventilation and let the surface air dry fully to avoid slipping or warping.

Read more: How to Clean Laminate Floors? 

How Often Should You Clean or Mop Cork Floors?

Cork floors should typically be vacuumed three to four times a week and mopped once a week. That said, spills should be cleaned right away to prevent liquid from soaking into the material. Moreover, adjust how often to mop floors based on foot traffic, pets, allergies, seasons, and humidity.

Fall and winter, for example, naturally bring more dirt into your home, and children’s rooms or playrooms need extra care to maintain hygiene.

DEEBOT robot vacuums can be conveniently scheduled through the ECOVACS HOME app to clean cork floors automatically.

Read more: How to Clean Travertine Floor?

What to Avoid When Cleaning Cork Floors?

When cleaning cork floors, avoid products and tools that can damage the soft surface or strip its protective sealant, including harsh chemicals, excess moisture, abrasive tools, steam, and polish-based products can all shorten the floor’s lifespan.

• Harsh Chemicals: Ammonia, bleach, and acidic cleaners strip sealants
• Abrasives: Steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive powders scratch its finish.
• Excess Moisture: Soaking floors causes swelling, warping, and finish damage.
• Steam Mops: Heat and moisture penetrate cork and lead to warping or discoloration.
• Wax or Oil Polishes: These products build up residue and turn sticky.
• Shine Enhancers: Inappropriate shine boosting products are often too aggressive.

 Read more: How to Clean Vinyl Floors?

How ECOVACS Can Help Clean Cork Floors?

DEEBOT robot vacuums automatically clean cork floors with efficient performance. Take the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone as an example, it delivers up to 19,500 Pa of suction¹ and uses the OZMO ROLLER 2.0 mopping system to clean cork floors effectively, while smart mapping and AIVI 3D 3.0 Omni-Approach Technology help avoid obstacles accurately and optimize coverage. Once cleaning is complete, the 167°F hot water soak washing refreshes the mop head for the next session.

Through the ECOVACS HOME App, you can easily adjust suction, water levels, and cleaning schedules to suit your needs.

Disclaimer(s):

1. 19,500Pa: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The suction power of DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone can reach 19,500Pa.