Murphy Oil Soap · Outdoor Furniture Cushion Protectants
Murphy's 1031 - 22 oz Oil Soap Spray
Lower risk. Oil soap unlikely to be a PFAS source.
This mineral oil and soap spray cleans furniture without Teflon-family coating or water-resistant coatings. The brand offers no PFAS confirmation, but the formulation itself carries lower inherent risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral oil, emulsifiers, water-based soap
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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from mineral oil
Mineral oil itself has low volatility, but spray atomization and any residual hydrocarbon solvents in the formulation could release minor VOCs. No specific VOC testing data is publicly available for this product.
Skin or eye contact sensitization from soap/emulsifiers
Undisclosed emulsifier blend; nonionic surfactants are generally mild, but individual sensitivity varies. No specific allergic reaction reports on record for this product.
Fabric damage or discoloration from mineral oil saturation
Mineral oil can darken light-colored fabrics and leave greasy residue if over-applied. This is a cosmetic and functional concern, not a toxicity hazard, but should be tested on inconspicuous areas first.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Aspiration or ingestion of mineral oil
Mineral oil is widely used in food-grade lubricants and low-toxicity laxatives. No reported incidents with Murphy's 1031. Risk is primarily accidental; product should be kept away from children and pets.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-based products sometimes include formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers (e.g., quaternium-15) as antimicrobials. No such ingredients are disclosed or known to be in Murphy's 1031, but full formulation is not public.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Murphy's 1031 is formulated around mineral oil, water, and soap emulsifiers, a simple, non-synthetic cleaning blend designed to condition and protect outdoor wood and fabric. Mineral oil itself is a refined petroleum byproduct with minimal volatility at room temperature and no established endocrine or carcinogenic hazard at consumer-use concentrations. The water-based carrier keeps solvent vapor low compared to oil-only or hydrocarbon-solvent products. Emulsifiers (typically nonionic surfactants) help the oil disperse; these are generally low-toxicity industrial chemicals, though formulation specifics are not publicly disclosed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Murphy Oil Soap is owned by Colgate-Palmolive and has been in use since 1898, primarily for wood and leather care. The company does not publicly disclose full ingredient lists or third-party safety certifications (e.g., Green Seal, EcoLogo) for this product. No product-specific recalls or toxicity incidents are on record for Murphy's 1031. The brand maintains silent stance on PFAS, and the product is not marketed as PFAS-free or water-repellent-treated.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor furniture cushion protectants range from silicone sprays (volatile, potential respiratory irritation) to fluorocarbon water repellents (PFAS-containing, higher environmental concern) to plant-oil blends (biodegradable, lower durability). Murphy's mineral oil formula sits in the middle ground, longer-lasting than soap alone, less volatile than solvent sprays, and without embedded PFAS chemistry. Trade-off is that mineral oil provides water resistance through saturation rather than hydrophobic coating, so reapplication frequency is higher.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated outdoor space or open garage; mineral oil mist inhalation is low-risk but not zero. Test on a hidden corner of fabric or wood first, as oil can darken some finishes and may stain light fabrics. Reapply every 2-4 months depending on weather exposure and water contact. Store tightly capped away from heat and sunlight; mineral oil can eventually become rancid if left open. Wash hands after use; accidental ingestion is low-risk but should still be avoided.
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 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.