For over 130 years, a humble bar of soap has been a staple in American laundry rooms, prized for its stain-fighting power and remarkable versatility. Fels-Naptha, first made in Philadelphia in 1893 by Fels & Company, has evolved from a household cleaner to a go-to solution for everything from grease stains to garden pests. Today, it remains an affordable option, typically selling for just a few dollars per bar.
Originally, the bar contained naphtha, a flammable liquid and a benzene-based hydrocarbon, which the CDC lists as a cancer-causing agent. That ingredient was removed in 1964 when the company sold the rights to the product. Over the decades, Fels-Naptha has changed hands several times, yet its reputation for tackling tough stains has endured.
Beyond the Laundry Room: Unexpected Uses
While Fels-Naptha is best known for laundry, its utility extends far beyond the washing machine. Homeowners have repurposed the bar in creative ways, including:
- Cutting slices and hanging them from plants to repel deer.
- Bathing with the soap to deter mosquitoes, lice, and other pests.
- Rubbing it on squeaky door hinges and drawer glides to silence them.
- Grating it into hot water to create an all-purpose cleaner for floors, toilets, and sinks.
- Using unwrapped bars as an air freshener.
- Mixing 1 tablespoon of soap with 1 gallon of water to make a DIY insecticidal spray for plants, applied weekly.
- Washing clothes with it to remove poison ivy oils.
- Gently rubbing the bar on leather goods to lift stains.
- Pre-treating grease stains before machine washing.
These applications highlight the soap's versatility, though its primary role remains stain removal and hand-washing.
Hand-Washing Clothes with Fels-Naptha
For delicate fabrics or when a washing machine isn't available, Fels-Naptha offers a simple hand-washing method. The process begins by grating the bar with a kitchen grater to create fine flakes—about 1 tablespoon per gallon of water ensures proper dissolution. If using cold water, dissolve the flakes in a cup of hot water first, then add to a sink or plastic tub filled with cold to warm water.
After sorting clothes by color and fabric type, submerge them and allow a 10-minute soak so the soap can break down soil. Gently squeeze water through the fabric or scrub sturdy pieces together. Rinse in cool water, then dry flat, in a dryer, or on a line.
Stain Removal and DIY Detergent
As a stain remover, Fels-Naptha works best on oil-based stains. Dampen the bar and rub it directly onto the stained area, working it in with fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before washing as usual. However, the soap can set certain stains, such as those from berries, fruit, or vegetables, making them harder to remove—so caution is advised.
For those who prefer homemade detergent, grating one cup of Fels-Naptha flakes and mixing with baking soda, washing soda, and half a cup of borax creates a powder. Use up to half a cup per load in a standard top-loader, or just two tablespoons in a high-efficiency machine. Wear rubber gloves when handling washing soda, as it may irritate sensitive skin.
Fels-Naptha's ingredients, according to the latest data from the Environmental Working Group, include terpine, tetra sodium etidronate, and sodium soap. The bar has an indefinite shelf life and can be used in any water temperature or washer cycle.
For those seeking a substitute in homemade detergent, pure soap flakes are a viable alternative. With its long history and broad utility, Fels-Naptha remains a practical, low-cost addition to any cleaning arsenal.
