Murphy Oil Soap · Leather Conditioner
Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner Spray Orange 22 oz.
Liquid cleaner with no PFAS triggers identified. Low concern.
Murphy Oil Soap is a traditional mineral oil and soap wood cleaner without water-repellent or stain-resistant coatings. No PFAS-associated chemistry applies.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral oil, water, citric acid, surfactants (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) and odor
Citric acid and mineral oil are low-volatility; however, some formulations of Murphy Oil Soap have been reported by users to produce noticeable citrus odor, likely from fragrance rather than hazardous off-gassing. No regulatory VOC limit violation is on record.
Skin and eye irritation from surfactants
Product labels carry standard irritation warnings for eye contact and prolonged skin exposure. Soap surfactants are mild compared to detergents but can cause irritation in sensitive individuals or if sprayed directly into eyes. Incidental dermal contact from handling the bottle is low-risk.
Aspiration risk if ingested
Mineral oil is not acutely toxic, but ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress and aspiration pneumonia if inhaled; children and pets are at higher risk. Standard household storage safety applies.
Allergens in fragrance component
The orange scent likely includes fragrance compounds; individuals with fragrance sensitivities or respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma) may react to inhalation during spraying. Unscented alternatives exist but are not marketed by the brand.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Mineral oil film accumulation on wood
Over time, repeated application without removal can leave a sticky or slippery residue on wood surfaces; this is a usability issue rather than a toxicological hazard, and is mitigated by dilution or occasional stripping with soap and water.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Murphy Oil Soap is formulated around mineral oil (a refined petroleum byproduct), water, citric acid, and soap-based surfactants. Mineral oil is inert and food-safe at contact levels; citric acid is a mild natural acid used for cleaning; the surfactants enable emulsion of oil and water. This ingredient list is intentionally simple and has remained largely unchanged for decades, reducing the likelihood of reformulation hazards or undisclosed additives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate-Palmolive (the owner) does not prominently market Murphy Oil Soap as certified organic, hypoallergenic, or toxin-free, but the brand makes no misleading safety claims. No major recalls or regulatory actions are on record for this product. The brand's silence on PFAS reflects the product's formulation class (aqueous cleaner without water-repellent coatings) rather than evasion; mineral oil-based products are not a vector for PFAS contamination.
How it compares in its category
Murphy Oil Soap sits in the mid-tier of wood cleaners, with lower concern than spray products with undisclosed volatile organic compounds or silicone oils, but offering less preventive protection than wax-based finishes. It is less complex than plant-oil alternatives (e.g., tung oil, orange oil-heavy products), which may carry terpene sensitivities in sensitive individuals. For routine cleaning of finished wood without buildup, it is a conventional, well-tested choice.
If you buy it
Use in ventilated spaces; mineral oil has low volatility, but the citric acid can produce minor odors. Test on inconspicuous wood surfaces first, especially on oil-finished or raw wood, as mineral oil can darken or oversaturate porous finishes. Avoid ingestion and direct eye contact; in households with children or pets, store to prevent access. Bottles typically last 4-6 months with weekly use; replace when the spray nozzle clogs or the formulation separates.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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 leather conditioner 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.