Murphy Oil Soap · Fabric Stain Guard Sprays
Murphy Oil Spray (22 oz., 01181)
Lower concern oil soap product with no documented PFAS use.
This traditional mineral oil-based wood cleaner lacks disclosed PFAS or water-repellency treatment. No independent PFAS testing found for this product line.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral oil soap solution, spray formulation
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Inhalation of spray mist (respiratory irritation)
Repeated inhalation of mineral oil mist in confined, unventilated spaces can cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals; this is not a concern with normal household use and adequate air circulation.
Accumulation of residue on wood or buildup over time
Repeated application without cleaning can leave a sticky, dull layer on wood; this is a performance rather than safety issue, but improper use may reduce visibility of wood damage or mold.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Skin contact and sensitization
Mineral oil is non-irritating and non-sensitizing at typical concentrations in furniture polishes; no allergic reactions or dermatologic complaints are documented for this product class.
Chemical burns or toxicity from ingestion
Mineral oil is not acutely toxic if swallowed in small amounts, though aspiration into lungs poses a separate (rare) risk; product is not intended for internal use and poses minimal concern in accidental child contact with treated surfaces.
Container integrity and spray mechanism failure
Metal aerosol or spray bottles can corrode or leak with age; mineral oil itself is stable and non-reactive, so no chemical degradation is expected, but physical container failure may occur with older or damaged units.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Murphy Oil Soap is a mineral oil emulsion in water with surfactants and minor additives, formulated to clean and polish wood furniture. Mineral oil itself is a refined petroleum byproduct with minimal systemic toxicity and is approved for food contact by the FDA in cosmetics and food additives. The spray formulation disperses this as a fine mist, which poses no significant inhalation risk at typical household use levels because mineral oil is not volatile at room temperature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Murphy Oil Soap, owned by Colgate-Palmolive, has been in continuous production since 1914 with no significant product recalls or safety controversies on record. The brand does not disclose detailed ingredient lists or third-party testing; however, mineral oil soaps are one of the oldest and least reformulated cleaning product categories, with long-established safety margins. No PFAS use has been documented in this product line, and the mineral oil base makes such additions technically unnecessary.
How it compares in its category
Wood furniture polishes range from pure mineral oil to synthetic blends and plant-based alternatives. Murphy Oil Spray occupies the traditional, cost-effective tier; it performs similarly to unbranded mineral oil products and competes with beeswax and linseed-based polishes, which have comparable safety profiles but higher cost. Synthetic waxes and some aerosol furniture sprays may introduce volatile organic compounds; Murphy Oil's aqueous base avoids this concern.
If you buy it
Use in well-ventilated spaces to avoid inhalation of spray mist, though risk is minimal. Test on inconspicuous wood surfaces first, as mineral oil can darken some woods and may leave residue if over-applied. Store in a cool, dry location away from heat sources; the spray mechanism can degrade over years of storage. For sealed polyurethane finishes, use sparingly or choose a dedicated furniture spray, as mineral oil can build up on non-porous surfaces.
What we don’t know
- 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.
More fabric stain guard sprays 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.