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15 Murphy’s Oil Soap Uses

The Many Uses for Murphy’s Oil Soap

Discover various Murphy’s oil soap uses around the home. Some of these uses for Murphy oil soap may actually surprise you.

Murphy’s Oil Soap is a potassium vegetable oil based product that originated in Germany and became popular in the United States in 1910.

Originally, this cleaning soap was used to clean wood floors and the logs of log cabins. Today this mild oil based soap has many uses.

Here is a look at some of the ways Murphy Oil soap is used for cleaning and a couple of other household uses.

Murphy's oil soap uses

Related Articles:

15 Murphy’s Oil Soap Uses for Cleaning

#1. Cleaning Floors

Murphy’s oil soap has successfully been used for cleaning both wood and laminate flooring.

However, due to the protective coating on some wooden flooring, you may want to test this soap on a small area of wooden flooring before cleaning your entire floor with Murphy’s.

To clean the floor using Murphy’s oil soap, combine ¼ of a cup of Murphy’s with a bucket of water and wring the mop out good before mopping.

(You may also want to read these articles on how to clean wooden floors with vinegar and how to clean an unfinished wood floor).

#2. Wooden Cabinets

Murphy’s is great for cleaning dirty, greasy cabinets. Simply combine ½ cup of this oil soap with a bucket of water, dampen a rag and wring it out and wash out the cabinet.

Using a clean rag and warm clear water rinse out the cabinet and then dry it with a third rag.

(You may also want to read this article on the best degreasers for kitchen cabinets).

#3. Wood Paneling

With wood paneling regaining popularity Murphy’s oil soap makes an excellent panel cleaner.

All you need is a bucket of water combined with ¼ cup of Murphy’s. Dampen a rag in your bucket and wring it out and then wash the walls starting at the top and working towards the bottom to avoid any drips.

#4. Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

It may surprise you to learn that Murphy’s can also be used to clean your stainless steel appliances.

To clean stainless steel using this cleaning product, simply combine ½ cup of water with a ½ teaspoon of Murphy’s in a spray bottle.

Spray on the stainless steel and wipe with a sponge. Once cleaned go over the stainless steel with a dry cloth to help restore the shine.

Related: Can You Clean Stainless Steel with Windex?

#5. Wood Furniture Polish

Murphy’s oil soap makes a great furniture polish for wood furniture. All you need to do is put 1 or 2 drops of this oil based soap on a rag and polish the furniture. Once completed, your furniture will be clean and shining.

You can also polish your wooden furniture with Burcher’s wax. You can learn about the various Butcher’s wax uses here.

(You may also want to read this article on how to clean and protect wooden furniture).

#6. Stain Remover for Clothing

This oil based soap makes an excellent stain remover for clothing.

Use a drop or two of Murphy’s directly on the spot and allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then wash as normal.

For tougher stains, you can rub the oil soap into the spot before allowing it to sit.

#7. Remove Carpet Stains

Simply apply a small amount of Murphy’s oil soap on the stain, rub it in and let it sit for 15-30 minutes, allowing it to lift the stain. Then, vacuum clean. 

(You may also want to read this detailed article on how to remove carpet stains).

#8. Paint Brush Cleaner

Murphy’s oil soap is great for cleaning those artist paint brushes.

Simply soak the hardened bristles of the paint brush in this soap for a couple of days and then rinse in clear water to remove paint and soften the bristles.

#9. Cleaning Your Car

Mixing a teaspoon of Murphy’s and a cup of lukewarm water in a spray bottle makes an excellent cleaner for your car’s dashboard, steering wheel and floor mats.

Simply spray the cleaning solution on and wipe with a dry cloth.

#10. Crayon and Pencil Mark Remover

If you are looking for a great way to remove crayon and pencil marks from your painted walls, then mix ½ cup of water and ½ teaspoon of the oil soap in a spray bottle and spritz on the marks on your wall and wipe off using a soft cloth.

Depending on the darkness of the mark it may take two or three applications to remove all of the stains.

#11. Glass Stovetop Cleaner

Removing grease from your glass stove top is simple and easy when you fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of warm water and a teaspoon of Murphy’s.

Simply spray the mixture on the glass stovetop and then wipe with a clean dry cloth. Once the grease is removed you can then rinse and dry your stovetop.

#12. Leather Cleaner

Combining Murphy’s Oil soap with water makes gentle non-staining leather cleaner.

Simply mix 3 teaspoons of Murphy’s in two cups of slightly warm water.

Then using a cloth dampened in the liquid that has all excess water squeezed out it, clean your leather clothing, accessories or furniture one small section at a time.

Make sure you wipe each area with a dry cloth immediately after cleaning.

#13. Removing Sticky Labels

If you want an easy and effective way to remove those sticky labels from recently purchased items then a few drops of Murphy’s oil soap will do the trick.

Place a few drops of this soap on the label and rub with a dry cloth or sponge until the label and its sticky residue is removed.

#14. Cleaning Ceramic Tiles

By mixing 1 teaspoon of Murphy’s per every cup of water you can make a great cleaner for cleaning those bathroom, kitchen or floor ceramic tiles.

Simply spread the cleaning solution on the dirty tiles, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes, then clean and rinse.

#15. Horse Tack Cleaner and Polish

If you have a horse, Murphy’s makes for a great horse tack cleaner and polish. Mix ½ teaspoon of Murphy’s for every ½ cup of water and use to clean bridles, saddles and give them a nice polished look.

Other Uses for Murphy Oil Soap

Murphy’s oil soap not only makes a great cleaner, but it can also be used as a garden insect repellent.

To make this repellent you simply mix 1 teaspoon of Murphy’s, 1 cup each of alcohol and water and 3 teaspoons of lemon juice in a spray bottle and spray on your plants to drive away insects.

This handy oil soap can also be used as a lubricant for potter’s wheels to keep the wheels as well as a number of other uses.

Conclusion

This oil soap may be the most handy cleaning product that you can ever own and it is 98% natural. Keeping a bottle of Murphy’s oil soap on hand can provide you and your family with solutions to a variety of common household problems.

Did you find the list of Murphy’s oil soap uses helpful? Leave your comment below.

Uses for Murphy's oil soap

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Pamela

Thursday 1st of June 2023

I am totally blown away by this information. And here I was using it full strength on my furniture...Lesson learned, thanks. Too bad it's not PRINTABLE. I would keep the list next to my Murphys..

Melody

Saturday 30th of December 2023

@Pamela, Hi! Assuming that you are using a PC, You can print the page by right clicking on the page and selecting "Print" in the window that pops up. Or on your keyboard select Ctrl+P. There are options as well for MAC users but I'm not familiar with those.

Patricia

Monday 12th of December 2022

I really appreciated your article. I forgot how useful and organic this product was until I read the article and was reminded of it's full potential. Thank you for posting it.

Carol

Wednesday 14th of December 2022

Hi Patricia,

I'm happy to hear that you found the article helpful.

Beverlt

Tuesday 1st of November 2022

I love Murphy’s Oil, thank you for the ideas

Dr. Shari Dozier, Psy.D.

Wednesday 23rd of March 2022

I’ve always enjoyed using this product to clean wood with good results. Who knew it had so many other convenient uses on other surfaces. I keep a good supply on hand. I will now try it on the interior of my car and on stainless……maybe even bathroom tile. Thank you for the helpful information!

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