Can You Use Fabuloso on Tile Floors?

Tiles were, until recently, relegated to kitchens and bathrooms. However, they are becoming a popular alternative to carpet flooring. Tiles are more durable than hardwood, and easier to clean than carpet, but is Fabuloso an excellent choice for maintaining them?

Yes, if your tiles are sealed you can use Fabuloso on tile floors. If you have an unsealed tile, Fabuloso can potentially cause damage to your tile floor by seeping into any crevices or damaging the grout.

Read further where I explain more information about sealed tiles and how to tell if your tiles are sealed.

Can You Use Fabuloso on Tile Floors?

As mentioned above, the main determiner in whether you can use Fabuloso on tile is whether the tile has been sealed. Fabuloso is safe to use on sealed surfaces, but not unsealed ones. You can usually tell whether the tile is sealed by looking at the following indicators: type of tile, sheen and texture, and the droplet test.

Type of Tile

Certain types of tiles are more likely to be sealed than others. Natural Stone or Terracotta tiles are almost always sealed. This is because they are very porous and absorb stains very easily unless sealed. Other tiles, like porcelain, are less likely to be sealed since the tiles themselves (but not the grout!) are already waterproof.

Sheen and Texture

You can often tell if a tile has been protected somehow by the sheen. Glazed tiles, sealed stone tiles, and sealed Terracotta are all shiny and smooth to the touch. Any rough texture on the tile face is a sign that your tile is not sealed. The only caveat to this tip is that polished surfaces are also shiny and smooth, but they are still porous. This method is best used in addition to one of the others to confirm.

The Droplet Test

If you still are not confident that your tile is sealed, you can preform the droplet test. This method is the most foolproof on the list. I always advise doing this test on the grout, not the tile face, as some tiles come pre-glazed, but are not sealed after installation.

To preform the test, use a dropper or similar. Let 2-3 drops of water fall on the grout of the tile. Sealant is water repellant, while bare grout is not. If the surface has been sealed, you will see the water droplets bead up. This looks like rain on a windowpane. If the surface is unsealed, the water with pool in the grout, and start to seep in.

Note: This is also a fantastic way to test if your tile needs to be resealed for maintenance!

Can Fabuloso Be Used on Tile Countertops?

Most tile countertops have been sealed because they are expected to make frequent contact with food. As such, you will not damage the counter by using Fabuloso. However, it is worth noting that the manufacturer advises against using their multipurpose cleaner on food prep areas because it is not food safe.

Can Fabuloso Damage Tile Floors?

Fabuloso is only recommended for hard, protected surfaces. Because it is PH neutral, sealed wood or tile floor is not likely to be damaged by Fabuloso. However, without a sealant the cleaner can seep into cracks of the material. This will begin to break down the glue.

For safety, the entire surface needs to be sealed, including the grout. If only the tile faces were sealed (as with many porcelain tiles) then the grout is still vulnerable to seepage. You are unlikely to notice negative effects right away, but over time this seepage can cause warping of the subfloor, tiles coming free from the floor, and even cracking tiles. You will want to avoid this because it is an expensive fix.

What Happens if You Use too Much Fabuloso on Tile Floors?

Provided that the tile is sealed, there should not be any negative impact of using too much Fabuloso on your floor. You might notice that it does not clean as expected, because some of the cleaner’s ingredients require a certain water ratio to work best.

Additionally, undiluted or under diluted Fabuloso has a strong smell. This can be unpleasant and will last for quite some time without proactive measures. To help the perfume dissipate, you can air the room after too much cleaner has been used. This has the bonus of helping the effected surface dry more quickly.

How to Clean Tile Floors with Fabuloso?

Cleaning sealed tile with Fabuloso is very straight forward. here are 8 steps to follow when using Fabuloso on tile floors:

1. First you will empty one cap full (one fourth of a cup) of Fabuloso into a bucket.
2. Then, fill the bucket with one gallon of water. This water should be bathtub warm to get the most benefit.
3. Submerge your choice of cleaning tool (such as a mop or washcloth) into the bucket.
4. Wring excess moisture from the tool back into the bucket.
5. Clean the surface with the wet tool.
6. When the tool gets dirty, rinse in the bucket and repeat until the entire surface is clean.
7. Wash the cleaning tool and bucket out before putting them away.
8. Ventilate the room to encourage complete drying of the surface.

Does Fabuloso Disinfect Tile Floors?

Fabuloso Complete disinfects when left on the surface for at least twenty minutes. Fabuloso’s Disinfecting Wipes disinfect on contact. Both are highly effective, removing 99% of bacteria and viruses. However, Fabuloso Original does not disinfect.

Does Fabuloso Cause Tile Floors to Become Slippery?

Fabuloso is a low residue cleaner, so it should not dry sticky or slippery. Rinsing after using Fabuloso is not necessary on tile. If you notice an unusual texture after use, this is a sign that the cleaner has been used improperly. Best practice is always to read the directions provided by the manufacturer.

Is Pine-Sol or Fabuloso Better for Tile Floors?

Pine-Sol, as suggested by the name, was originally designed for wood surfaces. While they have recently branched out into more varied products, most do not drastically outperform the competition. For hardwood, I would pick Pine-Sol, but for tile Fabuloso is just as good.

Final Thoughts

Even though tile is a hard surface, it is not universally safe to use Fabuloso on tile. Fabuloso can only be used on sealed tile surfaces. You may not initially know if your tile is sealed. However, there are several easy, straightforward methods to check if a tile surface is sealed or not.

The most dependable method is the water droplet test. Once you have ascertained that your tile is sealed, Fabuloso poses extraordinarily little threat. It will not eat away at the sealant, it cannot stain the floor, or leave a slippery residue. The worst that can happen when using too much, is that you need to open a window.

Read our related articles on Fabuloso here: 

• Can You Use Fabuloso on Windows? (All You Need to Know)
• Can You Use Fabuloso as Laundry Detergent?
• Can You Use Fabuloso on Wood Floors?
• Can You Boil Fabuloso on the Stove? (All You Need to Know)
• Can You Use Fabuloso on Laminate Floors?