Murphy Oil Soap · Fabric Treatment Sprays
Murphy Oil Spray (22 oz., 01181)
Lower concern oil soap product with no known PFAS use.
Murphy Oil Soap is a traditional mineral oil-based wood cleaner with no disclosed PFAS or water repellency treatment. No independent PFAS testing found for this product line.
Shop Murphy Oil Soap on Amazon →Material
mineral oil soap solution, spray formulation
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More fabric treatment 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.