This page contains affiliate links, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (with no extra cost to you). Learn more In order to maintain your floors, it matters what products you use to clean them, you don’t want to accidentally cause damage, especially if you own delicate and expensive hardwood floors. One of the most popular cleaning sollution for flooring in
general is murphy oil soap. Murphy Oil Soap is safe to use on all finished hardwood floors, ceramic tile, laminate, and vinyl floors. With It’s 98% natural ingredients, it won’t harm them but extend their life by using it on regular basis. You just need to rinse your mop thoroughly before cleaning.
Will Murphy Oil Soap leave residue on my floors?
You might be concerned because of the word “oil” in the product name. Murphy oil tends to leave a residue on the floors after which is annoying and hard to get rid of.
However, If the product is used as advised, there will be no residue because no “free oil” is left behind.
NOTE: When we don't read the manufacturer's directions carefully, we run into issues. This is especially important if you own hardwood floors.If you already have a cloudy residue on your floors, you need to take care of that first before switching cleaning solutions. My post “How to Remove Haze from Hardwood Floors” might help
What removes Murphy’s oil soap residue?
If you didn’t dilute your cleaning solution properly before mopping and see a hazy residue afterward, don’t stress out, this has happened to other people as well. Read my post “Can I use Windex on my hardwood floors?” for tips on how to help.
I got amazing results cleaning buildup with ammonia-based Windex.
On the other hand, I got even better results cleaning my hardwood floors on regular basis with amonia free Windex.
How to dilute Murphy’s oil soap?
The important thing to note, when using Murphy Oil Soap is, that it must be diluted and applied properly. The dilution formula is simple:
Combine 1/4Cup of Murphy Oil Soap to 1 gallon warm water.How to Clean wooden Floors with Mourphy Oil Soap
Follow this easy steps when cleaning with Murphy Oil Soap:
- Soak the mop head or microfiber cloth in the Murphy oil cleaning solution for a few minutes before wringing it out thoroughly.
- The mop head should be damp but not leaking.
- Start sweeping with it on the mop. Sweep your hardwood floors in the direction of the wood grain on the boards if you have them.
- After you’ve finished a room, go over it again with a dry towel or dry microfiber cloth to absorb any remaining moisture. You don’t want to get your floor wet. If you have hardwood or laminate flooring, this is crucial. Vinyl plank floors are resistant to water and can be left to dry.
How often should you use Murphy’s Oil Soap?
You can clean with Murphy’s Oil Soap as frequently or infrequently as you desire. I recommend damp mopping hardwood floors, laminate floors, and vinyl plank floors once a week.
Does murphy oil soap make floors shine?
Yes. Murphy oil soap will bring natural shine to your wooden floors. All you need to do is dilute it properly and follow cleaning tips mentioned above.
It’s unique blend of natural oils, mixed with a hint of pine scent will clean away your dirt and grime while leaving behind an anti-slip and shiny finish to your floors.
Murphy’s oil soap uses
Is Murphy Oil Soap safe for my Hardwood Floors?
Murphy Oil Soap is safe to use on your hardwood floors as well but they need to be finished with a polyurethane coat.
If you’re unsure, test whether your floor has a polyurethane finish or not.
- Go to an inconspicuous place in your home and drop small amount of water on your floors.
- If the water drop remains on the surface as a bead then you’ve got a polyurethane finish. However, if it absorbs into the floor then you don’t.
Can you use Murphy’s Oil on laminate floors?
Laminate flooring has its own protective layer on top and it’s completely safe to use with your Murphy Oil Soap. This type of floor works amazingly well with a mixture of hot water but rinse your mop really well before sweeping and don’t forget to follow the manufacturer’s direction about dilution.
KEEP IN MIND: Before starting to clean any type of floor (not just laminate) remove any dust present. By dusting them, you will get rid of all small rocks and debris which can potentially scratch your floors when cleaning with a damp mop.Can I use Murphy Oil Soap on bamboo floors?
No, you want to avoid an oil cleaner on a bamboo floor. I recommend using Bona for bamboo floors. Read more about using Bona in my post, “Bona VS Bruce hardwood floor cleaners“
Can you use Murphy’s Oil on vinyl floors?
Murphy’s Oil Soap can be used on your vinly floor without any issues. Because they are water-resistant, you won’t have to worry about spills as much as you would with hardwood floors. Use a rinsed mop or cloth to apply it, then let it dry.
Is murphy’s oil soap good for wood furniture?
Murphy Oil Soap can be used to clean your wood furniture and its countertops. Follow the same instructions for proper dilution and clean your kitchen cabinets with a clean but damp microfiber cloth. Murphy Oil Multi-Use Wood Cleaner Spray is also available and you can use it easily simply by spraying onto a clean cloth and wiping clean your cabinets.
Realted Questions
Can you add vinegar to Murphy's Oil Soap?
No, you should not. Vinegar has acidic properties and generally should not be used on finished hardwood. Murphy’s Oil Soap is a specially formulated cleaning product and should be used only as directed.
Does Murphy's Oil Soap dull floors?
No, it doesn’t when used correctly. Murphy’s Oil Soap will not dull your floors with a milky or cloudy residue but will leave it gleaming and luxurious looking.
Does Murphy Oil Soap contain silicone?
No, it doesn’t. The ingredients are 98% natural derived from plants, coconut, and natural fragrances. The 2% synthetic ingredients are sodium tallate, trisodium MGDA and lauramidopropyl dimethylamine oxide which are non-toxic. It even has EPA approval complete with the Designed for the Environment logo (DfE). It is also biodegradable.
Read next:
- Best water-based polyurethane for floors
- Is underlayment for hardwood floors necessary?
- Can You Use a Shark Steam Mop on Wood Floors?
- How to clean your laminate floors
- How to Clean High Gloss Laminate Floors
- How to clean mold with vinegar and baking soda?
- How to Clean Vinyl Floors