Murphy Oil Soap · Fabric Stain Guard Sprays
Murphy's Multi-Use Wood Cleaner Soap
Low risk. Standard wood cleaner without specialty coatings.
Traditional plant and mineral oil wood cleaner without Teflon-family coating coatings or water-repellent treatments. No PFAS statement from the brand, but ingredients suggest lower inherent risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plant-based soap, mineral oil, water
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.
Fragrance allergens or sensitizers
Murphy Oil Soap's product line often contains fragrance blends; while the base scent is mild, undisclosed fragrance components may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in susceptible individuals. Full fragrance ingredient disclosure is not provided on standard retail labels.
Product degradation or rancidity over time
Plant-based oils in the formulation can oxidize if stored in warm, humid, or light-exposed conditions, potentially producing minor off-odors or separation; this does not pose acute toxicity but indicates product aging and reduced efficacy.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Mineral oil dermal/inhalation exposure
Mineral oil in wood cleaners is non-toxic at consumer dilution and does not carry established reproductive, carcinogenic, or neurotoxic hazards. Risk is further minimized by proper ventilation and glove use.
Microbial growth or contamination in concentrate
No recalls or field reports of bacterial or fungal contamination in Murphy Oil Soap containers exist on record. The high mineral oil and soap content naturally inhibit microbial growth, though opened bottles should not be left open or contaminated with water.
Heavy metals
Mineral oil is a refined petroleum byproduct with no known heavy metal accumulation; plant-based soap components are not associated with cadmium, lead, or mercury under standard manufacturing. No testing data has been published, but no contamination incidents are documented.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Murphy Oil Soap is primarily a blend of plant-based saponified oils, mineral oil, and water, with no synthetic surfactants or harsh solvents typical of petroleum-based cleaners. The mineral oil component is a highly refined, non-toxic byproduct that does not bioaccumulate and poses minimal dermal or inhalation risk at consumer-use dilution. This formulation avoids common wood-cleaner hazards like VOCs, formaldehyde, or phenolic compounds, making it one of the gentler commercial options in its category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Murphy Oil Soap (owned by Colgate-Palmolive) has no publicly documented safety recalls, legal actions, or hazardous substance violations for the multi-use wood cleaner line. The company does not actively publicize PFAS testing or avoidance statements for this product, which is consistent with the lower PFAS risk profile of soap-based cleaners. Ingredient transparency is adequate but not exceptional; the product label lists major components but does not detail all additives or preservative systems.
How it compares in its category
Murphy Oil Soap ranks among the lowest-hazard wood cleaners available in mainstream retail, with a simpler ingredient deck than many modern multi-surface sprays that include synthetic fragrances, silicone polymers, or antimicrobial agents. Most competing products (e.g.Pledge, Burt's Bees) offer similar profiles, though some contain added waxes or essential oils that can leave residue buildup over time. This product's mineral oil base is less aggressive than solvent-heavy alternatives and does not strip wood finish if used as directed.
If you buy it
Dilute according to label instructions (typically 1 part cleaner to 4-8 parts water) to avoid oil buildup on wood surfaces and reduce skin contact. Use in well-ventilated areas, though volatile risk is low; mineral oil has a high flash point and does not off-gas significantly at room temperature. Store in a cool, dark cabinet away from children and pets; the bottle should remain sealed to prevent oxidation. Replace if the product visibly separates or develops an off-odor, though shelf life is typically 2-3 years under normal storage.
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.
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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.