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Pine-Sol Vs Fabuloso – Which is Better?

Here is a detailed comparative analysis of Pine-Sol vs Fabuloso to help you decide which one best meets your needs.

Both Pine-Sol and Fabuloso are well-known multi-purpose cleaners with established reputations in so many homes. Their cleaning ranges are vast, and so are their product ranges. With so much on offer, you may wonder which option is better.

Regarding Fabuloso vs. Pine-Sol, there are numerous pros, cons, and a lot to discover, so let’s get started.

Fabuloso and Pine-Sol are relatively cost-effective and easy to find in stores. Both have disinfectant and multi-purpose products, and both can be used diluted. Pine-Sol fares better on fabric than Fabuloso, and Fabuloso has more scents than Pine-Sol. Both can be used on many surfaces.

A bottle of Pine-Sol, a bottle of Fabuloso on a blue towel and text that says, "Pine-Sol Vs Fabuloso".

When comparing Pine-Sol and Fabuloso, it is best to consider that both are outstanding products. Not only do they offer general cleaning benefits, but they also offer disinfectant products and can be used to tackle stains and stubborn grime.

Join us as we put Pine-Sol against Fabuloso in a challenge of the great cleaning products.

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Pine-Sol Vs Fabuloso – Which is Better?

Considering the similarities and differences between Pine-Sol and Fabuloso, we should look at a few key elements to make our comparison as straightforward as possible.

We have separated our comparison into the following elements:

  • Available scents
  • Disinfectant properties
  • Possible surfaces to clean
  • Product ranges
  • Ingredients
  • Cost

Let us look at these in some detail.

#1. Available Scents

Regarding the number of scents available, Fabuloso takes the lead. Fabuloso has the following sweet and pretty aromas on offer across their product ranges:

Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner:

  • Lavender
  • Refreshing lemon
  • Passion of fruits
  • Ocean Paradise
  • Citrus and fruits with baking soda
  • Tropical spring
  • Spring in bloom
  • Spring fresh with bleach
  • Sparkling citrus

Fabuloso Complete:

  • Cool mist
  • Sparkling citrus
  • Floral burst

Fabuloso Complete Disinfecting Wipes:

  • Lavender
  • Lemon

Pine-Sol has the following scents available across its product ranges:

  • Original Pine-Sol
  • Lavender
  • Orange and lemon
  • Sparkling wave

As you can see, the list is substantially shorter for Pine-Sol regarding scents. This could be seen as a con for Pine-Sol, or you could see it as a pro. If you are someone who needs clarification on having too many options, you may enjoy the limited choices for scent. 

Another plus for Pine-Sol in this category is that its scents are a little less invasive than those of Fabuloso and tend to last longer. 

Ultimately, it is very likely up to your taste, so give them a whiff and go with your nose on this one. 

#2. Disinfectant Properties

The recent pandemic had us all reaching for whatever disinfectants we could get our hands on. It was during the height of the recent pandemic that Original Pine-Sol was certified safe to kill Coronavirus when used correctly.

Fabuloso also has a disinfectant properties in its disinfecting wipes, so it appears that the two brands are head-to-head in this category. 

One may pull ahead of the other in the product’s application. For Original Pine-Sol to work as a disinfectant, it must be used undiluted and left for a minimum of ten minutes before being rinsed off the surface. 

For this reason, it seems Pine-Sol can only be used in this way on hard and non-porous surfaces and needs to be timed. Using undiluted Pine-Sol on copper, aluminum, or unsealed wood is not advisable. 

Fabuloso disinfecting wipes can only be used on hard, non-porous surfaces since they are wipes, much like wet wipes used for babies. A benefit to their application is that they are highly portable and can fit in bags and cars. 

Fabuloso wipes kill 99.9% of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Their main ingredient is various forms of chlorine, which works as an antimicrobial agent, stopping bacterial growth. 

Original Pine-Sol kills 99.9% of disease-causing bacteria, salmonella enterica, staphylococcus aureus, and the Influenza A virus on hard surfaces. Its main active ingredient is glycolic acid, which works to break down calcified solutions. 

#3. Possible Surfaces to Clean

Fabuloso and Pine-Sol are marketed as multi-surface cleaners and live up to the hype. In this category, however, Pine-Sol edges ever so slightly ahead.

Pine-Sol is a fantastic cleaning product for hard, non-porous surfaces and fabrics. Use it diluted or neat, depending on your cleaning needs. To dilute it, mix a quarter cup with a gallon of water. 

When used neat, Original Pine-Sol has disinfectant properties. Be sure to leave it for ten minutes before rinsing the surface. 

A few surfaces that are prime areas for Pine-Sol include:

  • Granite
  • Glass
  • Copper
  • Stainless steel
  • Finished wood
  • Aluminum
  • Porcelain tiles
  • Linoleum
  • Fabric

Fabuloso is a multi-surface cleaner that works wonderfully on hard, non-porous surfaces. It leaves no streaks and produces shiny surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, toilet bowls, floors, and more.  

It is not advisable to use Fabuloso on granite often, as it may erode the seal over time. It is also advisable to use Fabuloso on fabric sparingly. 

Should you wish to deodorize your carpet or sofa with Fabuloso, add half a cup of water to half a cup of Fabuloso, and lightly spray the couch or carpet. Leave the spray for a maximum of five minutes before rinsing it to avoid damage to the fabric. 

Both products can do a general, light cleaning or remove tough stains. Pine-Sol tends to perform better with tough grime; however, both can remove dirt like food stains and soap scum. 

Fabuloso leaves no residue or streaks, and both products leave your home smelling fresh and deodorized after cleaning. 

#4. Product Ranges

When it comes to product ranges, Fabuloso takes the lead once more. Like its range of scents, this company takes its range of products seriously, too.

Fabuloso currently has fourteen products on offer:

  • 9 Regular Fabuloso 
  • 3 Fabuloso Complete
  • 2 Disinfecting Wipes

Pine-Sol currently has four products on offer:

  • 1 disinfectant: Pine-Sol Original
  • 3 multi-surface cleaners

Both can be used for general cleaning and tough stains, but you should always closely follow the directions on the packaging. 

#5. Ingredients

The ingredients in Pine-Sol and Fabuloso are pretty complicated to understand. We have done a little digging for you and know that both promise to be safe for use in homes with adults, children, and pets. 

Although neither product contains ammonia or bleach, you should never mix them with bleach. When bleach is combined with other chemicals, harmful chemical reactions take place. The gases produced can cause severe damage to all exposed immediately and in the long term. 

Please read the instructions on the packaging of either Pine-Sol or Fabuloso before using it in your home. Safety always comes first.

Pine-Sol ingredients include:

Isopropyl alcohol, Pine Oil, sulfuric acid, cleaning agents, and alkyl ethoxylates.

Fabuloso ingredients include:

Sodium dodecyl benzenesuf fonate, lactic acid, sodium chloride, water, fragrance, colorant, and C9-11 Pareth-8

Both products have a shelf-life of about two years. After that time, their effectiveness may begin to decrease. 

#6. Cost

Pine-Sol and Fabuloso are somewhat cheap; however, Pine-Sol is more expensive than Fabuloso, coming in at around double the cost per liquid ounce. 

There are ways to make your Pine-Sol last a little longer. If you are not after disinfectant properties, dilute your Pine-Sol as your Fabuloso, with a quarter cup product to a gallon of water. 

Final Thoughts

Comparing Pine-Sol and Fabuloso turned out to be a pretty tricky task. There are so many factors to consider that it is almost impossible to decide which product is best without knowing your specific circumstances.

Since you know yourself, your budget, your home, and your preferences the best, the information we have supplied can help you decide which is best suited to your needs. Either way, happy shopping, and happy cleaning!

Related Resource:

A bottle of Fabuloso, a bottle of Pine-Sol and text that says, "Fabuloso Vs Pine-Sol".

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Elle Hughes

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

Since 2020 I haven't been able to find any Pinesol except the original scent. This post helped. Thanks. I've used pinesol for nearly 45 years, but prefer the blue or purple scent. I hate to switch products, but the original scent is very loud! Thanks again!

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