Murphy's Oil Soap · Leather Conditioning Products
Murphy Oil Spray (22 oz., 01181)
Lower concern. Traditional oil soap without known PFAS use.
Murphy Oil Soap spray is a mineral oil and olive oil-based wood cleaner with no identified PFAS-risk ingredients or coatings. No brand claims or third-party testing available.
Shop Murphy's Oil Soap on Amazon →Material
mineral oil, soap (olive oil-based), spray propellant
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 mineral oil-based wood cleaner and conditioner combined with olive oil-derived soap and a hydrocarbon propellant. Mineral oil is a refined petroleum byproduct with no known sensitizing properties at the concentrations used in this spray. The olive oil soap component is a traditional saponified fat, chemically inert and non-toxic. The propellant is hydrocarbon-based (likely isobutane or similar) and does not release volatile organic compounds of regulatory concern at normal spray use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Murphy Oil Soap (made by Colgate-Palmolive) has no public history of safety recalls or regulatory actions specific to this product. The brand does not claim specific certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Green Seal) for this line, and makes no explicit disclosure about PFAS avoidance, though the traditional formulation predates widespread PFAS adoption in consumer sprays. No documented complaints of skin irritation or respiratory issues tied to normal use exist in public databases.
How it compares in its category
Most spray cleaners present higher hazard profiles due to synthetic surfactants, fragrance allergens, or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives; Murphy Oil Soap avoids these via its simple mineral oil and soap base. It is positioned as a lower-toxicity alternative to petroleum-based spray polishes and synthetic wood cleaners. Compared to water-based or plant-based wood cleaners, it offers similar safety but with higher VOC per spray due to hydrocarbon propellant.
If you buy it
Use in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhalation of propellant mist. Do not spray directly on skin or near face; apply to cloth first if contact is a concern. Store away from heat and open flame, as hydrocarbon propellants are flammable. Shelf life is typically 2-3 years; discard if nozzle fails or product separates, as oxidized mineral oil can leave streaks or residue.
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.”
Volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbon propellant)
Spray application releases hydrocarbon propellant into air; brief inhalation from normal use poses minimal risk, but chronic exposure in poorly ventilated spaces could cause respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Fragrance allergens
Murphy Oil Soap is unscented or carries only faint natural oil odor; no synthetic fragrances or known allergens on record in this formulation.
Heavy metals in pigments or additives
The product contains no added pigments, colorants, or opacifiers; mineral oil and soap do not accumulate lead or cadmium under normal manufacturing controls.
Skin sensitization or irritation (soap and mineral oil)
Mineral oil and saponified olive oil are low-irritancy ingredients used in skincare; no documented cases of contact dermatitis or sensitization from Murphy Oil Soap spray exist in public records.
Microplastic or particulate shedding
This product is a liquid spray with no polymer beads, microbeads, or microplastic carriers; no shedding hazard relevant to this category.
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.
Safer alternatives in Leather Conditioning Products
Flaxseed Oil
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Lower PFAS concern; plant oil cosmetics avoid typical fluorochemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
Flaxseed Oil
Griot's Leather Care Spray
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Lower PFAS concern. Oil-based leather care typically avoids fluorochemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
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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.