Looking for ways to use Fels Naptha beyond laundry? This old-fashioned bar soap is one of the cheapest and most versatile cleaners you can keep at home! From stain removal to freshening sneakers, garden pest control, and even outdoor cleaning, these ways to use Fels Naptha are just what you’ll want to try. At a cost of around $2.00 per bar, this little laundry bar can replace dozens of pricey products making it a true frugal living essential!
I’ve been working on my frugal journey for decades. People often mistake frugality as only saving money on groceries and things like that, but the truth is, frugality is working to save money wherever you can and using whatever tools you have at your fingertips. This little bar of soap is one of those tools. It’s so versatile! It’s been around for over 100 years and is fantastic in so many areas of your home!
The best part? It only costs around two dollars a bar! That means I can keep a few Fels-Naptha bars stocked without worrying about hurting my budget. For me, that’s what makes it one of the most valuable tools I have.
A Quick Look at the History of Fels Naptha
Fels Naptha was first sold in 1893 when it was made by the Fels and Company. The original formula included a chemical called naphtha, which worked well as a laundry booster but was later removed for safety reasons. In other words, it’s flammable ya’ll. FLAMMABLE.
Even without naphtha, the soap was still strong and worked amazingly. Over the years, company ownership changed hands, but while it isn’t always a well known product, it is a product that has stood the hands of time.
It did lose a bit of it’s popularity after World War II, but with rising inflation and people trying to return to frugal ways, it is quickly becoming a go-to household cleaner for people who are looking for old fashioned, inexpensive ways to save money and to clean and care for their homes.
Is Fels Naptha Safe?
Yes, it’s absolutely safe. The naphtha ingredient was removed long ago, so today’s formula isn’t toxic. It can be irritating to the nose, skin or eyes if you’re using it for a long time or are sensitive, so just be mindful if you normally have a skin reaction to household cleaning products. Personally, it irritates my nose something fierce, so if I am grating or shredding it to add to liquids, I tend to use a small food processor that I keep on hand for projects.
Is Fels Naptha Safe on Skin?
Again, it can irritate skin, but it is safe. I have sensitive skin and it doesn’t bother me as long as I am not standing with my hands in it for hours. Why someone would want to do that is beyond me, but hey, to each their own. Otherwise, yes, its safe for your skin. If you are sensitive, wearing gloves can help.
With all of that said, I am certain you’ll find these uses for Fels Naptha perfect for what you’re looking for. Let’s take a look:
Laundry Uses for Fels Naptha
The most obvious place to start is laundry. After all, Fels Naptha did get its start as a laundry soap and it still shines in that role today. It is safe for most fabrics, but always do a spot test first. Here are some of the best ways to use it in the laundry room:
- Stain pre-treater – Wet the stained area down with water and use a soft brush to work a bit of the soap into it before tossing in the washer.
- Brighten whites – Soak dingy items in a Fels Naptha mixture instead of using bleach.
- Wine stains – Scrub into red wine spots to lift them out.
- Chocolate stains – Works wonders on kids’ clothes.
- Ink stains – A lifesaver if you’ve ever left a pen in the wash.
- Baby formula stains – Removes stubborn stains from baby clothes left behind by baby formula.
- Grass stains – Especially helpful on baseball and softball pants.
- Ring around the collar – Rub directly on shirt collars before washing.
- Oil-based stains – Cuts through grease better than many sprays because it breaks down oil trapped in the fibers.
- Make your own detergent – Fels Naptha can be grated and added to make homemade laundry detergent that works so much better than the normal detergent on the shelves. You can find my recipe for DIY laundry detergent HERE.
- Clean Tennis Shoes – If you want clean white canvas tennis shoes, clean them with a Fels Naptha spray.
With these laundry tricks, a single bar can save you from buying expensive stain removers and brighten up clothes that you thought were ruined.
Cleaning Uses for Fels Naptha
But the laundry room isn’t the only place this soap shines. Around the home, there are dozens of ways to use Fels Naptha for everyday cleaning tasks. Some of my favorites include:
- Mopping floors – Add to a gallon of hot water with a little bit of baking soda for a budget-friendly floor cleaner.
- Cleaning sinks – Rub on porcelain or stainless sinks for a deep clean. Rinse well with warm water.
- Toilet cleaner – Melted into water, it scrubs away stains.
- Tubs and showers – Helps break down soap scum. Grate the soap into a gallon of water and you’ll have the cleanest shower you’ve ever had.
- Shower doors – Cuts through soap scum buildup with a little hard work.
- Trash can deodorizer – Wash cans with a Fels Naptha solution to remove odors.
- Upholstery cleaner – Lightly scrub furniture to refresh it.
- Carpet shampoo – Mix into water and use with a carpet cleaner.
- Paint brush cleaner – Restores bristles without expensive solvents.
- Polishing aluminum – Shines up dull cookware.
- Grout cleaner – Rub into tile grout to lift out dirt.
- Odor spray – Mix into water for a homemade deodorizing spray.
- Shoe cleaner – Scrub dirt and stains from sneakers.
- Degreaser – Use in the kitchen to cut through greasy messes.
These simple cleaning uses alone make Fels Naptha worth keeping in stock. I’ve saved plenty of money by replacing brand-name sprays and cleaners with one bar of soap.
Outdoor Uses for Fels Naptha
Fels Naptha isn’t just for inside though. There are tons of uses outdoors too! A few of my favorites include:
- Poison ivy and poison sumac skin wash – Quickly scrubs oils off skin to reduce irritation from poison ivy resin, a poison oak rash or from poison sumac.
- Garden pest repellent – Grated soap around plants helps keep deer away.
- Insect spray – A diluted solution keeps bugs from eating plants.
- Bug repellent chunks – Place pieces around your garden or home to discourage pests.
- Outdoor furniture cleaner – Scrub patio chairs and tables to make them look new.
- Mildew treatment – Helps clean off mildew spots on outdoor surfaces.
If you garden or spend a lot of time outside, these tricks can save you from both expensive pest control and ruined plants.
Other Ways to Use Fels Naptha
Beyond laundry and cleaning, there are dozens of random but helpful uses for Fels Naptha that you may never have thought of:
- Relieve bug bites – Wash itchy spots to dry them out.
- Treat acne – Dab on pimples to dry up oils.
- Dry up cold sores or fever blisters – Use with caution on sensitive skin.
- Prevent lice – Some wash hair with it weekly (though tea tree oil added to your shampoo is a gentler option).
- Repel mice – Place chunks where rodents sneak in.
- Wash greasy hands – Cuts through oil and grime easily.
- Lubricate drawers – Rub on sticky drawer tracks.
- Quiet squeaky hinges – Works in place of WD-40.
- Remove labels from jars – Helps peel off stubborn stickers.
- Remove odors from hands – Great after cutting onions or handling fish.
- Freshen sneakers – Rub inside to cut down odor.
- Quick flea and tick wash – Some pet owners use it in emergencies (always test first).
- Tan hides – Hunters sometimes use it in the tanning process.
The fact that one little bar can do all this shows why it has stood the test of time.
Why Fels Naptha Stands Out
I love Fels Naptha for three main reasons:
- It’s cheap. At around $1 per bar, it’s one of the most budget-friendly products you’ll ever buy.
- It’s versatile. With over 50 ways to use it, the value stretches even further.
- It saves money on other products. Instead of buying specialty cleaners, I can use Fels Naptha for multiple jobs.
It isn’t fancy, and it doesn’t come with shiny packaging, but sometimes the simplest products are the best ones.
Do you have any other uses for Fels Naptha? I would love to hear them!