Journalist Mia O'Hare conducted a head-to-head test of two popular floor cleaners, Flash All-Purpose Cleaner and Fabulosa Concentrated Disinfectant Cleaner, on laminate flooring in her lounge. The result was a clear winner: Flash outperformed Fabulosa in shine, scent, and overall cleaning effectiveness.
Test Setup and Products
O'Hare divided her laminate floor into two sections, applying Flash to one half and Fabulosa to the other. Flash All-Purpose Cleaner, marketed as the UK's number one and claiming to remove up to 100% of grease and dirt, was purchased for £2.25 for a one-litre container from Heron. She chose the fresh lemon fragrance variant. Fabulosa's cotton fresh concentrated disinfectant cleaner, suitable for floors, cost £1 for a 220ml bottle and claims to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses while providing long-lasting freshness.
Application and Performance
For Flash, O'Hare followed the guidelines: two caps (60ml) in five litres of water. The solution produced a strong lemon scent that was fresh but not overpowering, suitable for lounges as well as kitchens and bathrooms. The cleaner foamed well and was easy to apply, leaving an immediate shine and pleasant aroma across the floor.
Fabulosa's instructions recommended one capful per 400ml of water, which O'Hare deemed too little for her mop bucket, so she used two capfuls in 800ml. The cotton-fresh fragrance was significantly more potent than Flash's, with a warning on the bottle not to use in food contact areas due to high perfume levels and to keep pets away from wet surfaces. The cleaner produced a good gleam but left dry patches after mopping, possibly due to the smaller water volume or less foaming action.
Comparison and Results
After drying, O'Hare examined both sections. Despite having used Fabulosa before and expecting it to be her favourite, she was impressed by Flash's superior shine and cleanliness. The Flash-treated area appeared shinier and more evenly coated. Fabulosa's scent remained strong even after drying, which O'Hare found overpowering despite open windows. Additionally, having a cat made the pet warning for Fabulosa a practical inconvenience.
Both products cleaned effectively, but Flash emerged as the winner. O'Hare noted that although Flash was more expensive, she believes she will get more uses from the bottle, making it better value overall.
