Murphy's Oil Soap · Leather Conditioning Products
Murphy Oil Soap Multi-use Spray Fresh Orange
Lower concern for PFAS in typical use, no treatment.
Murphy Oil Soap is an organic-based liquid cleaner without water-repellent or stain-resistant treatments that commonly contain PFAS. No public PFAS claims or certifications available.
Shop Murphy's Oil Soap on Amazon →Material
surfactant-based liquid soap, essential oil fragrance
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
cosmetics 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 surfactant-based liquid cleaner formulated with soap, water, and essential oil fragrance (fresh orange in this variant). The active ingredient is a mild soap that reduces surface tension to lift dirt and oil, making it fundamentally different from harsh chemical cleaners. No Teflon-type coating, silicones, or strong solvents are typical in this product class, which limits exposure to volatile organic compounds at use concentration.
The brand's record and disclosure
Murphy's Oil Soap has been in continuous use for over 100 years with no significant safety recalls on record for the multi-use spray format. The brand does not publicly disclose full ingredient lists beyond regulatory minimums or PFAS testing status, which is typical for household cleaners but limits transparency. No major controversies regarding contamination or mislabeling are established in public records. Colgate-Palmolive (parent company) maintains general product safety certifications but does not highlight third-party testing for this line.
How it compares in its category
As a soap-based cleaner, Murphy Oil Soap is milder than petroleum-solvent or alkali-based all-purpose sprays, reducing inhalation risk during typical indoor use. Most similar products (Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer's) also use essential oil fragrance and avoid harsh solvents, so this sits in the lower-toxicity segment of the multi-use cleaner market. It does not carry eco-certifications (e.g., EPA Safer Choice, ECOS, Green Seal) that some competitors advertise, so buyers seeking verified low-impact products may want to cross-check alternatives.
If you buy it
Use in well-ventilated areas, especially if spraying indoors frequently, to avoid inhaling fine mist for extended periods. Do not mix with bleach or ammonia, as this can generate toxic fumes regardless of product mildness. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fragrance degradation and packaging stress. For sensitive individuals or homes with young children, patch-test on inconspicuous surfaces first, and rinse food-contact surfaces thoroughly before use.
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.”
Fragrance allergens and respiratory irritation
Essential oil fragrance (fresh orange) can trigger contact dermatitis or mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals, particularly during extended spray inhalation in unventilated spaces. No specific allergic reaction recalls are on record for this product.
1,4-dioxane contamination
No published testing or disclosure indicates 1,4-dioxane presence in Murphy Oil Soap spray. The formulation does not rely on ethoxylated surfactants typically associated with this contaminant, but brand does not publicly verify absence.
Formaldehyde releasers
No formaldehyde donors or antimicrobial preservatives typically found in soap-based cleaners of this type. Not detected in available safety literature for this product.
Inhalation risk from spray mist
Spray format poses inhalation exposure to aerosolized soap residue and fragrance particles with prolonged or confined-space use. Risk is lower than for solvent-based cleaners but not zero; ventilation is important.
Eye and skin contact irritation
Soap-based cleaners can cause mild to moderate irritation if product contacts eyes or intact skin directly. Standard product labeling advises eye washing and rinsing; no severe injury recalls established but irritation is recognized as possible.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.
Safer alternatives in Leather Conditioning Products
Flaxseed Oil
Tannery Premium Leather Revitalizer
Flaxseed oil, mineral-based cosmetic
Lower PFAS concern; plant oil cosmetics avoid typical fluorochemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
Flaxseed Oil
Griot's Leather Care Spray
Flaxseed oil base, leather conditioning
Lower PFAS concern. Oil-based leather care typically avoids fluorochemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
More leather conditioning products 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.