Murphy Oil Soap · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Murphy Multi-Use Wood Cleaner Oil
Lower concern. Traditional oil cleaner with no known PFAS vectors.
Mineral oil and soap blend used for wood cleaning with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral oil, soap, wood oils
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Murphy Multi-Use Wood Cleaner Oil is made of, ingredients and materials
Murphy Oil Soap is primarily mineral oil (a refined petroleum byproduct), combined with saponified vegetable oils and soap emulsifiers. Mineral oil itself is inert and non-toxic when applied topically to wood; the soap component allows it to mix with water for easier spreading and cleanup. This formulation has been in use for over a century with no significant accumulation of toxicity claims in published safety literature. The product is designed to condition and polish wood rather than strip it, so coating integrity is not a primary concern here.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) / inhalation risk from emulsifiers
While mineral oil itself is low-volatility, the soap and emulsifier package may include small amounts of volatile surfactants or preservatives not detailed on the label. Exposure is generally low in normal use, but application without ventilation could cause respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Oil residue and dust attraction on wood surfaces
Overapplication can leave a tacky surface that traps dust and debris, potentially creating a film that looks dull or grimy over time. This is a cosmetic and maintenance issue rather than a toxicity issue, but affects product performance and user satisfaction.
Spontaneous ignition risk of oiled cloth applicators
Oil-soaked cloths, if tightly bundled or compressed while damp and left in warm environments, carry a legitimate (though low-probability) spontaneous ignition hazard. Proper disposal or spreading flat to dry mitigates this entirely.
Slip hazard on finished floors
If Murphy Oil Soap is used on hardwood floors or other walking surfaces, inadequate buffing can leave a slippery film. This is a user-application hazard, not an inherent product toxicity, but is a known complaint in online reviews.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Refined mineral oil is typically purified to remove most contaminants, and no recalls or health alerts link Murphy Oil Soap to heavy metal exposure. Trace elements may be present but are far below any regulatory concern for topical wood care.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Murphy Oil Soap (SC Johnson company) has not proactively disclosed PFAS testing or PFAS-free certification for this product line, which is typical for household cleaners of its era and class. The brand has faced no major recalls related to this product in recent decades. SC Johnson publishes Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that list mineral oil and soap as primary ingredients; transparency on minor additives (surfactants, preservatives) is limited but standard for this category. No established controversies tied to this specific product exist in consumer safety databases.
How it compares in its category
This is one of the longest-standing oil-based wood cleaners on the market; it sits at the traditional, less-processed end of wood care versus spray polishes containing silicones or synthetic waxes. Compared to citrus-oil polishes, Murphy uses a more stable mineral base with fewer volatile compounds. It generally poses lower VOC concerns than aerosol furniture sprays, though ventilation remains advisable. Most direct competitors (Pledge, Old English) use similar mineral oil or silicone bases, making this a middle-ground choice in terms of ingredient familiarity.
If you buy it
Apply in thin, even coats with a soft cloth; do not oversaturate wood, as pooled oil can leave sticky residue or attract dust. Ensure good air circulation during and shortly after application to minimize inhalation of any volatile components in the emulsifier package. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources (mineral oil can support slow oxidation over time, though the risk is low). Discard cloth applicators properly (they can pose spontaneous ignition risk if tightly bunched while wet with oil and left in warm conditions); lay flat to dry or dispose separately.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Murphy Oil Soap has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Murphy Multi-Use Wood Cleaner Oil?
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2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More outdoor furniture cushion protectants grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.