Fels-Naptha Soap: Uses, Safety, and Health Considerations

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Transparent jars with natural bar soap
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Fels-Naptha Soap is a multipurpose soap that has been around for over a century. It's a popular choice for tackling tough stains and grease.

Fels-Naptha Soap is made from a combination of soap and petroleum-based ingredients. This unique blend gives it a thick, cake-like consistency that's easy to apply.

Using Fels-Naptha Soap can be a bit messy, but it's worth it for the results. The soap is designed to be applied directly to stains and then rubbed in before washing.

In terms of safety, Fels-Naptha Soap is generally considered non-toxic and gentle on skin. However, it's still important to handle it with care and avoid getting it in your eyes.

What is Fels-Naptha?

Fels Naptha is a laundry soap bar and stain remover that has been around since 1894. It was originally created by Philadelphia-based Fels & Company around 1893.

Fels Naptha was very popular during the Great Depression for cleaning all over the house because it was cheap. Housewives found new ways to use this product to stretch their budgets.

Credit: youtube.com, FELS-NAPTHA - Best uses

The soap can still be found in some big-box stores, including Walmart, and online, but don't be surprised if it's out of stock. My mother buys multiple when she sees it because it's not always easy to track down.

To use Fels-Naptha soap, simply dampen the stained area and lay it flat.

Uses and Benefits

Fels-Naptha is a versatile soap that has been used for a variety of purposes, from laundry to pest control. It's a great addition to any household.

One of the most common uses for Fels-Naptha is as a laundry detergent, particularly in homemade laundry detergent recipes. It's also effective in removing grease stains and can be used to pre-treat stains before washing.

Fels-Naptha can be used to repel pests, including mosquitoes and lice, by bathing with it or using it as a personal pest repellent. It's also a natural deer repellent when hung from plants.

In addition to its uses in laundry and pest control, Fels-Naptha can be used to silence squeaky door hinges and drawer glides by rubbing it on the affected areas. It's also a versatile household cleaner that can be mixed with hot water to clean floors, toilets, and sinks.

Credit: youtube.com, Zote vs Fels-Naptha Soap Cleaning Test!

Here are some of the many uses for Fels-Naptha:

  • Deer repellent: Cut soap slices and hang them from plants.
  • Personal pest repellent: Bathe with the soap to repel mosquitoes, lice, and other pests.
  • Silence squeaks: Rub on squeaky door hinges and the drawer glides.
  • Household cleaner: Grate and mix with hot water to clean floors, toilets, and sinks.
  • Air freshener: Use unwrapped bars to freshen the air.
  • Remove poison ivy: Wash clothes with soap to remove poison ivy oils.
  • Remove stains from leather: Gently rub the soap bar into stains on various leather goods to lift them.
  • Remove grease stains: Pre-treat grease stains with soap before washing them in the washing machine.

Fels-Naptha is also a popular ingredient in DIY laundry detergent recipes, where it's often combined with baking soda, washing soda, and borax to create a effective and eco-friendly laundry detergent.

Safety and Precautions

Fels-Naptha can irritate the eyes and, with prolonged exposure, the skin. This is stated in the 2007 material safety data sheet from Dial Corp.

Be cautious when handling Fels-Naptha, as it can cause skin and eye irritation with prolonged exposure.

It's worth noting that Fels-Naptha no longer contains naphtha, a known skin and eye irritant, but instead contains terpene hydrocarbons.

Health Considerations

Fels-Naptha can irritate the eyes and, with prolonged exposure, the skin. It's essential to be mindful of this when using the soap.

In its 2007 material safety data sheet, Dial Corp. states that Fels-Naptha can cause eye and skin irritation. This highlights the importance of handling the soap with care.

Fels-Naptha once contained naphtha, a skin and eye irritant. Thankfully, it's no longer included in the soap.

Terpene hydrocarbons are now used in Fels-Naptha, which is a safer alternative to naphtha. This change is a welcome improvement for users.

Reason I Can't Use Soap

A Brush, a Bar of Soap and and a Wooden Soap Holder
Credit: pexels.com, A Brush, a Bar of Soap and and a Wooden Soap Holder

I've been researching Fels-Naptha soap for my homemade laundry detergent, but I've discovered some concerns that make me hesitant to use it.

Fels-Naptha can irritate the eyes and skin with prolonged exposure, according to the 2007 material safety data sheet from Dial Corp. The ingredients list on the Fels-Naptha website now shows it contains terpene hydrocarbons instead of naphtha, a skin and eye irritant.

Fels-Naptha contains titanium dioxide, a mineral that contaminates oceans and lakes, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deems it safe for food and cosmetics.

One potential conflict with Fels-Naptha is that it contains fatty acids that could be problematic for septic systems, which is a concern for me and my husband with our new aerobic treatment septic system.

How to Use

Fels-Naptha is a versatile soap bar that can be used in a variety of ways. You can find it in the laundry section of a supermarket or grocery store, packaged in paper similar to bar body soap.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Remove Stains from Clothes with Fels-Naptha | Easy Laundry Hack!

To use Fels-Naptha as a stain remover, wet the laundry bar and rub it directly onto the stained area of the clothing, then work the product into the fabric with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Let it work for at least 10 minutes before washing the garment.

Grating about 1/8 of a bar of Fels-Naptha and adding it to a wash cycle can help eliminate residual stains. Fels-Naptha is also a common ingredient in DIY laundry detergent recipes.

You can also use Fels-Naptha to remove grease stains by pre-treating the area with the soap before washing it in the washing machine. This soap bar is effective in removing grease stains on a variety of materials.

Here are some other creative ways to use Fels-Naptha:

  • Use it as a deer repellent by cutting soap slices and hanging them from plants.
  • Bathe with the soap to repel mosquitoes, lice, and other pests.
  • Rub it on squeaky door hinges and the drawer glides to silence them.
  • Grate and mix with hot water to clean floors, toilets, and sinks.
  • Use unwrapped bars to freshen the air.

Fels-Naptha can also be used to remove poison ivy oils from clothes by washing them with the soap. When combined with Neatsfoot oil, it's commonly used in a primitive method of tanning animal skins.

Tips and Alternatives

Credit: youtube.com, ✔️ Fels-Naptha More than Soap

Fels-Naptha is a powerful tool for tackling oil-based stains, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

It's not the best treatment for stains like berries, fruit, or vegetables, as soap can set these stains, making them difficult to remove.

To get the most out of Fels-Naptha, use it in conjunction with other laundry boosters.

In fact, mixing Fels-Naptha with baking soda, washing soda, and borax can create a potent stain-fighting powder.

Here's a rough guide to creating your own Fels-Naptha-based laundry booster:

  1. Grate 1 cup of Fels-Naptha using a kitchen grater.
  2. Mix 1 cup of Fels-Naptha flakes with 1/2 cup of borax, 1 cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of washing soda in an airtight container.
  3. Use 1/2 cup of the mixture per load of laundry in a standard top-load washer, or 2 tablespoons in a high-efficiency top or front-load washer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the yellow bar soap for poison ivy?

Fels-Naptha is a laundry soap that helps remove urushiol oil from poison ivy. This yellow bar soap was originally invented in 1893 to effectively clean laundry and soothe poison ivy irritation.

What is the active ingredient in Fels-Naptha?

The primary active ingredients in Fels-Naptha are Sodium Tallowate and/or Sodium Palmate, which are surfactants that provide cleaning power. These ingredients work together to effectively clean and remove dirt and grime.

Can you wash your body with Fels-Naptha soap?

Yes, Fels-Naptha soap can be used directly on the body for cleaning. It's also used to wash clothing and gardening gloves that may have come into contact with the soap.

Is Zote soap the same as Fels-Naptha?

No, Zote and Fels-Naptha are two distinct laundry soap bars with different properties, but they are often used together for enhanced cleaning power. Their combined use creates a potent stain-fighting duo.

Hallie Guidotti

Junior Writer

Hallie Guidotti is a passionate writer with a talent for creating engaging content. Growing up in a small town, she learned the value of hard work and perseverance from her parents. This work ethic has served her well as she pursues her dream of becoming a successful blogger.

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