Here at RMC, we’ve heard of some pretty crazy home remedies.
Some of them we actually use ourselves, while others we’ve found were a waste of time.
But what about the popular cleaning product Fabuloso, which many DiYers swear by?
Does fabuloso actually kill roaches and other pests?
It’s time to test this under-the-sink substitute for over-the-counter pest solutions!
What is Fabuloso?
Fabuloso is a household cleaner and multi–purpose disinfectant made by Colgate–Palmolive.
It’s used to clean floors, bathrooms, and kitchens, as well as removing tough stains and dirt from clothing and fabrics.
You can find this product in a variety of scents, including lavender, lemon, and orange.
According to a press release, the items may contain Pseudomonas bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens which are both known to cause health issues in humans.
People who are exposed to the bacteria are at risk of infection. For those with a compromised immune system or who rely on medial devices (ex: respirators), there's a high risk of CRPA, which can be either asymptomatic or cause serious health conditions.
Please note that the official recall only includes a selection of Fabuloso products made during a specific time in the US and Canada. Other Fabuloso products, including any made in other countries or outside of the dates for recalled products aren't part of the recall. The recall list can be found here.
We're including this information just in case any of our readers have one of the affected products and wasn't aware of the recall.
What Are the Main Ingredients in Fabuloso?
Fabuloso contains some crazy-sounding ingredients that are actually rather commonplace in cleaning products.
For example, Fabuloso Multi-Purpose Cleaner contains:
- C9-11 Pareth-8
- Citric Acid
- Colorants
- Fragrance
- Glutaral
- Sodium C12-15 Pareth Sulfate
- Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Water
- ALL PURPOSE CLEANER – The Fabolouso multi-purpose cleaner not only cleans...
- IRRESISTIBLE SCENT – Lasting freshness that you can literally feel! The...
- SUITABLE ON MOST SURFACES – The multi-use Fabolouso cleaner cuts through dirt...
Does Fabuloso Kill Roaches?
Fabuloso works similar to bleach, killing all types of roaches on contact.
While this product line is available in many different scents, lavender or citrus is recommended if you plan on using it at some point for pest control.
The strong smell of lavender is a natural pest repellent, but smells great to most humans.
Can Fabuloso Kill Bed Bugs?
Yes, it will also kill bed bugs the same way as roaches.
Because of their small size, less of the product is needed.
Simply spray onto areas that you suspect are infested with bed bugs.
Can Lavender Fabuloso Kill Flies?
While not as exciting as using a Bug-a-Salt, you can use Fabuloso to kill flies.
It also smells a lot better than most other fly-killing sprays out there.
Does Fabuloso Get Rid of Spiders? What about Other Bugs?
Most spiders don’t stand a chance, although spraying larger spiders like hobo and wolf spiders may not work so well.
You can also use this remedy to go after a wide range of other little nasties, such as springtails, silverfish, and sugar ants.
What’s the Catch?
Sadly, there is a catch, and it’s a big (or rather, little) one.
Fabuloso requires direct contact to be an effective solution against pests.
This popular multi-purpose cleaner is also not safe for consumption, meaning you have to be careful about using it near open or leftover food sources.
Between these two major flaws, Fabuloso loses a lot of its ability to get rid of cockroaches and other pests.
How to Use Lavender Fabuloso to Get Rid of Roaches (and Other Critters)
Excellent roach repellents and killers out there, including borax, Dettol, and glue strips.
However, Fabuloso is a simple and effective means to eliminate a single pesky roach.
When you see a cockroach, simply take your Fabuloso spray bottle and douse the little bugger.
Don’t expect it to kill the roach as quickly as a dedicated roach killer spray.
That said, it will eventually do the job without leaving a strong chemical smell behind.
In theory, you can also use this method to destroy a roach nest.
Just be warned, it won’t have much impact on a full-blown roach infestation.
Will Fabuloso Attract Roaches?
No, the strong scent is enough to cover the pheromone smell that roaches and many ants give off that alerts their relatives of danger.
In fact, the citrus and lavender scents serve as an effective insect repellent.
Does Fabuloso Leave a Residue?
The manufacturer of this product states that it does not leave a visible residue.
That said, it’s always a good idea to test on a small area of the surface it will make contact with.
Pine-Sol vs Fabuloso: Which is Better for Pest Control?
Both of these products are equally effective methods for killing critters.
The determining factor is often what scent the user prefers.
One person may prefer the pine forest and lemon smell of Pine-Sol while another may want one of the many scents that Fabuloso comes in.
Just go with whichever one you like most.
Our Verdict
Fabuloso is no substitute for bait stations, glue traps, and other effective killers.
But when it comes to an isolated critter or a small like of ants, this product can be extremely effective.
The trick is to douse your target so it suffocates.
As long as you use it responsibly, this can be a cheap, effective insect killer for your home.
It will even double as an effective disinfectant once the dead roach (or other bug) is removed!
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I have been putting fabulous in my drains in bathroom and kitchen for years and I spray it in corners to. To keep roaches and bedbugs from coming into my apartment cause they are some nasty people here