Can You Mix Fabuloso And Bleach?
Fabuloso is that delightful purple cleaning detergent that has been used in countless homes and businesses throughout the country. It’s basically a hallmark of people who love the floral-chemical smell of solvent. Sometimes, Fabuloso alone isn’t enough to get the bathroom clean. So, what happens then? Can you add bleach to improve results?
You should never mix Fabuloso and bleach, nor should you try to mix bleach with any Fabuloso products. Fabuloso contains chemicals that release chlorine when bleach is introduced to the mix. Pure chlorine gas is a potentially lethal lung and eye irritant.
When you’re working with cleaning solvents, it’s important to remember that mixing items can cause seriously dangerous effects. Let’s take a closer look at what mixing these two solvents can do and why it’s bad.
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Why Can’t You Mix Fabuloso And Bleach?
Bleach is a highly reactive chemical that can easily release toxic chlorine gas when mixed with many other cleaning solvents. Unfortunately, Fabuloso contains chemicals that react poorly with bleach. More specifically, this combination will cause chlorine to release into the air. This can kill you as well as any pets you own.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that a mixture of bleach and Fabuloso won’t make its cleaning power stronger. In fact, it actually reduces the cleaning ability because the chemical reaction removes most of the major cleaning solvents. So, while it may seem like a good idea, it really isn’t.
Does Fabuloso Contain Ammonia?
Most people assume that Fabuloso contains ammonia because of the reaction it has with bleach. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have ammonia. It’s another chemical that reacts with the bleach that causes this to release the toxic gas.
Is Fabuloso A Safe Cleaning Agent?
Though it doesn’t handle bleach very well, Fabuloso is a notoriously safe cleaning agent. It is ammonia-free, bleach-free, and has a perfect pH balance. So, it can actually be used on almost any surface without concern of it eating away at a veneer or wrecking paint.
Obviously, there are still going to be limitations to safety. For example, Fabuloso should never be eaten or drank by humans or animals. It’s a cleaning solvent, not a snack. (Even if it does smell tasty, you should never try to drink it.)
On a similar note, you shouldn’t use Fabuloso as a disinfectant for wounds. It’s a skin irritant and it could actually worsen certain reactions. If you are known for sensitive skin, then you are going to have a hard time dealing with a chemical burn.
Does Fabuloso Kill Germs?
Although many top brands no longer contain the germ killing powers they used to have, Fabuloso still does. Fabuloso has been clinically proven to kill over 99 percent of germs. It even kills COVID-19, which makes it fairly popular in doctors’ offices and hospitals.
What Surfaces Should Not Be Cleaned With Fabuloso?
Fabuloso and Fabuloso Complete are both fairly popular, to the point of almost being treated like a “cure-all” for cleaning in some households. However, this is not always a good idea. In fact, some items can get wrecked by using Fabuloso on them. These items below are particularly worth avoiding:
- Unfinished Wood. If your wood has not been sealed and painted, Fabuloso will sink into the wood. This means that your wood might end up getting soaked, then warp, then get damaged. Always make sure your wood is sealed with this cleaner!
- Dishes And Cookware. While Fabuloso will get all the germs off your cookware, it is not graded for food use. Using Fabuloso on your dishes can make you seriously sick, even if you rinse them very well. Don’t do it.
- Air Freshening. For reasons beyond my understanding, there are people out there who have heated up Fabuloso to release the fragrance into the air. This is a terrible idea, as heating Fabuloso will cause you to inhale a bunch of caustic solvents. It’s a serious skin, eye, and lung irritant. Moreover, it’ll poison you since it is a caustic solvent. If you are in a house that did this, turn off the stove, turn on the vents, and get out immediately.
- Carpeting. While Fabuloso works very well on hard surfaces like plastic and tiling, carpet is not hard. It’s soft and will simply absorb the purple stuff. Unless you want soggy purple carpets, you won’t give this a try. *Technically* some people use it on carpet with good results, but I still wouldn’t chance it.
- Skin. Don’t use Fabuloso to clean off your skin, or the skin of any of your pets. Use a medically-approved cleanser instead.
Is Fabuloso Pet-Safe?
Fabuloso is designed to be as safe as an industrial cleaner can be. Most homeowners will be able to use it liberally in a home with pets. Both dogs and cats are able to thrive in areas that have Fabuloso as a cleaner. That’s why it’s often used in pet grooming parlors.
Which Cleaner Is More Effective, Fabuloso Or Pine-Sol?
This all depends on who you ask, but most anecdotal experiences claim that Pine-Sol is more effective at cutting soap scum, grime, and grit. In a major test, Pine-Sol came out on top with 74 out of 100 score points compared to Fabuloso’s slightly lower score.
However, it’s clear that Fabuloso has its own band of fans. The Spruce called it one of the best all-purpose cleaners on the market and the sheer number of home cleaners who swear by it says volumes. In most cases, you should be able to get Fabuloso to clean up your messes and stains without a hitch.
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Related Questions
Why does Fabuloso have such a strong scent?
If you have ever taken a whiff of Fabuloso, you already know how potent the smell can be. According to Fabuloso’s website, this is by design. The brand was one of the first to come from South America to actually have a fresh scent.
This was done as a way to help show that your home was clean, in a part of the world where a fresh-smelling home was traditionally a mark of pride. The strong smell allows people to keep that fragrant smell longer, making your cleaning more of a “flex.”
How many scents does Fabuloso currently offer?
Fabuloso’s scent range is pretty massive at this point. The company currently offers up eight different scents in its original formula. Once in a while, the company also rolls out limited edition scents. So, it’s all about knowing what you want. Currently, their classic purple Lavender scent is the most popular that the company makes.
Is Fabuloso considered to be a green cleaner?
Fabuloso is a very popular cleaner, but it’s not quite green, per se. Or rather, original Fabuloso was not green. The company recently decided to release a more environmentally-friendly formula for all of their scents in recent years. It is currently Green certified, though it is not the highest-scoring product as far as environmental friendliness goes.
If you are worried about damaging the environment, the good new is that Fabuloso is still a very responsible choice. The issue is that you might be able to find an even better option by seeking out something specifically designed with minimal impact in mind.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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