If you’re reading this, you probably have a Tineco floor cleaner and wonder if it’s okay to use Fabuloso in it. You likely feel tempted – Fabuloso smells so nice and seems like it would do a good job cleaning floors. But is it the right move for your Tineco? Let’s talk it through.
Having used both Fabuloso and Tineco floor cleaners at home, I want to share what I’ve learned from experience. There are some decent reasons you might want to use Fabuloso, but also some real risks that give me pause. In the end, it’s probably smarter to use Tineco-approved cleaners to be safe.
In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on what Fabuloso and Tineco are, the upsides and downsides of using them together, some tips if you do decide to try it, and how to keep your Tineco in tip-top shape over time. Let’s dive in!
What is Fabuloso?
Firstly, let’s talk about fabuloso. You’ve surely seen those distinctive purple bottles before – it’s a super popular all-purpose cleaner. They make different scents like lavender, citrus, ocean fresh – all sorts of good stuff. And it smells so nice when you’re mopping the floors!
Fabuloso is made by Colgate-Palmolive and is designed to cut through grease, dirt, and grime. It uses surfactants and chelating agents to break down stains and chemicals to leave a clean scent. And you’ve probably used it to clean counters and bathtubs and mop the floors.
What is Tineco?
Okay, now onto Tineco. They are a company that makes specialized vacuums and cleaners for hard floors. You may have one of their newer cordless wet/dry vac models, like the FLOOR ONE S5. It’s amazing!
Tineco floor cleaners use suction, brushes, and water to deep clean. The brushes scrub up all the stuck-on gunk, and the vacuum sucks it right up. Way better than just mopping in my opinion. The cordless models make cleaning so much easier too. And a lot of their models also have self-cleaning tech to keep mold out of the water tank. Major plus.
Read: Can You Use Fabuloso on Wooden Floors?
Pros and Cons of Using Fabuloso
So why would you use Fabuloso in your Tineco, and what are the risks? Let’s go over the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Smells nice! Who doesn’t want their floors to smell like flowers or citrus? Way better than plain water.
- Fabuloso is pretty cheap compared to special floor cleaners. If you have some on hand already, it seems like a good way to use it up.
- You can switch scents; changing between lavender, ocean fresh, etc., is always nice for variety.
Cons:
- It might damage parts. The chemicals could wear down plastic pieces over time. I’d worry about the tank, brushes, and hoses.
- Voids warranty. Tineco says using unapproved products will void the warranty. Then you’d be out of luck if something breaks.
- Not approved by Tineco. They specifically say not to use things like Fabuloso or pine cleaners.
- Leaves residue. Fabuloso leaves a slippery film on the floors, which is dangerous!
- Could discolor. Stuff like linoleum might get faded or discolored with repeated use.
Of course, the risks outweigh the benefits. And It’s probably smarter and safer to use a Tineco-recommended cleaner instead.
Best Practices If You Use Fabuloso
Okay, let’s say you decide to use Fabuloso in your Tineco anyway. You likely feel tempted by the nice scent too! But, here are some tips to reduce the downsides:
- Use a super diluted solution, like 1:20 Fabuloso to water. This helped minimize damage to parts when I tried it.
- Spot test a small area first to watch for residue or discoloration.
- Rinse it well, and run plain water through it a bunch of times to flush it all out. Make sure to get any Fabuloso out of the brushes and hoses too.
- Only use diluted Fabuloso so often, and not for every cleaning. This prevents more buildup in the machine.
Diluting and rinsing thoroughly makes a difference. But again, probably better to just avoid Fabuloso altogether if you can.
Recommended Cleaners
Tineco has specific floor cleaners they recommend:
- Tineco floor cleaner – Made to work with their machines. Won’t damage parts or leave residue.
- Bona for hardwood – Gentle wood floor formula, safe for Tineco.
- Distilled white vinegar – Natural cleaner that cuts grease. Rinse well after.
- Castile soap – Unscented soap diluted in water makes a good natural solution.
- Plain distilled water – Chemical-free cleaning option.
We know some of these doesn’’t smell as good as Fabuloso. But they’ll clean the floors without risking your Tineco’s parts. Also, check the Tineco site for their recommended cleaners.
How To Keep Your Tineco in Tip-Top Shape
Here are my top tips for keeping your Tineco floor cleaner working its best:
- Empty and dry the tank fully each time to prevent moldy smells. Yuck!
- Stick to gentle cleaners without harsh chemicals, bleaches or acids. Read those labels!
- Use distilled or filtered water to prevent mineral buildup in the machine.
- Rinse all parts thoroughly when you switch cleaning solutions. This will help remove all the Fabuloso residue.
- Check brushes and parts regularly for damage, and replace if needed.
- Follow the maintenance instructions in the Tineco manual. Don’t skip this step!
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, while Fabuloso might smell amazing, it seems risky to use in a Tineco. The potential to damage parts or void the warranty makes it risky.
As tempting as it is, we recommend playing it safe with an approved Tineco floor cleaner. Follow the instructions and your cleaner will keep working in tip-top shape!