My Mom Swears By This Old-School $2 Bar Soap To Get Out Any Stain

We've all experienced that nerve-racking feeling of eating, drinking, or spending time outside while wearing white jeans or a favorite top. It can be a bit spirit-crushing watching a drop of coffee drip onto your pristine pant leg or a stray spaghetti noodle—drenched in marinara sauce, of course—slip off your fork and onto your favorite sweater. I’ve been a victim many times, and, sadly, a few clothing items were ruined due to a clumsy spill, an unfortunate fall, and even a bird poop mishap.  

Stains are bound to happen, but that doesn’t make them any less irritating to deal with. Grease, makeup, sauce, mud, or coffee can prove perilous for your clothing. Luckily, there are effective ways to get rid of stains at home. My mother's (and now my) go-to for the hardest-to-clean stains is Fels-Naptha bar soap. 

You can probably tell by the dated packaging and low price point that Fels-Naptha soap is old-school. I largely forgot it existed until a stubborn stain on a brand-new dress prompted me to call my mom. That’s when she reminded me of this trusty bar soap, which has tackled grease, makeup, and the pesky red dirt that would accumulate on my brother’s baseball uniforms.

“South Georgia clay is nearly, if not impossible, to get out of clothing,” my mom recalled when telling me of this soap's wonders. “A fellow baseball mom let me in on the [Fels-Naptha] secret.” 

What Is Fels-Naptha?

Originally created by Philadelphia-based Fels & Company around 1893, the laundry bar used to contain naphtha, a flammable liquid, which was later taken out of the ingredient list for obvious reasons. 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. Wet the bar soap and lather it onto the stain. You’ll notice the stain changing color as the soap seeps into the fabric. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wash the item as usual. For more stubborn stains, use a coarse sponge or toothbrush to penetrate the fabric deeper. Additionally, you can grate the bar soap to create a multi-use cleaning agent. For upholstery stains, make sure to wash away the soap thoroughly with a dish towel soaked in warm water.

Since I began using this under-$2 bar soap, I haven't had a stain that I couldn’t get rid of, which further proves that mothers always know best.