Murphy’s Oil Soap is not toxic in the way most people worry about. It won’t poison you or your family through normal use. Its formula is 98% naturally derived ingredients, primarily water and plant-based soap. That said, it’s still a cleaning product, and it does carry some irritation risks and a few ingredient concerns worth knowing about.
What’s Actually in the Formula
The active cleaning agent in Murphy’s Oil Soap is a soap derived from tall oil, a byproduct of wood pulp processing. Tall oil soap is essentially a blend of fatty acids similar to oleic and linoleic acid, the same types of fats found in olive oil and other plant oils. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has assessed tall oil and its salt forms (including the potassium and sodium versions used in cleaning and cosmetic products) and found them safe at concentrations up to 8%.
The rest of the formula is mostly water, coconut-derived cleaning agents, and natural fragrance. Only about 2% of the ingredients are synthetic. One ingredient that does show up on the safety data sheet is citronella oil, present at less than 1%. While it sounds harmless, citronella oil is classified as a skin sensitizer, meaning it can trigger allergic skin reactions in some people. The product’s official safety data sheet carries the hazard statement “May cause an allergic skin reaction” specifically because of this ingredient.
EWG Gives It a “C” Grade
The Environmental Working Group rates Murphy’s Oil Soap Original Formula a C, which is middle-of-the-road. The rating isn’t driven by any single alarming ingredient but by several mild concerns stacked together. Citronella oil flagged for potential skin irritation, respiratory effects, and aquatic toxicity. A chelating agent called tetrasodium EDTA raised concerns about poor biodegradability. Another surfactant in the formula flagged for potential skin and respiratory irritation. Sodium hydroxide, used in small amounts to adjust pH, is a known skin and respiratory irritant at higher concentrations.
None of these are red flags for normal household cleaning. They’re the kind of low-level concerns that show up in most conventional cleaning products. But if you have sensitive skin or respiratory issues like asthma, the combination of fragrance oils and mild irritants is worth paying attention to.
What Happens If Someone Swallows It
Accidental ingestion of a small amount of soap like Murphy’s Oil Soap typically causes mouth and throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms are generally mild and self-limiting. If a child or adult swallows a small amount, rinsing the mouth and drinking some water is usually sufficient.
A large amount, or ingestion followed by severe symptoms like vomiting blood or trouble breathing, is a different situation and warrants calling Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or using their online tool. Concentrated or industrial-strength soaps carry more risk than a diluted household cleaner, but any soap in quantity can cause significant GI irritation. Eye contact with the product can also be irritating and should be flushed with water immediately.
Is It Safe Around Dogs and Cats
This is one of the most common concerns, since Murphy’s Oil Soap is widely used on hardwood floors that pets walk on and potentially lick. The soaps and detergents in products like this are classified as anionic and nonionic surfactants, which are mild irritants. They don’t get absorbed into the body in any meaningful way, so systemic poisoning isn’t really a risk.
If a pet licks a freshly mopped floor or drinks from a bucket of diluted Murphy’s Oil Soap, the most likely symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, these effects from soap and detergent ingestion are usually mild and resolve on their own. If your pet does ingest some, offering diluted milk, broth, or water can help settle the stomach. You should avoid inducing vomiting, as the soap can irritate the esophagus on the way back up.
The practical takeaway: let your floors dry completely before letting pets back on them. A dried, properly diluted application leaves very little residue to worry about.
Skin Sensitivity and Allergic Reactions
The biggest real-world risk from Murphy’s Oil Soap isn’t toxicity but contact sensitization. The citronella oil in the fragrance blend is a known allergen that can cause redness, itching, or a rash on contact. Some people also react to fragrances or dyes in cleaning products with respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing.
If you’re using the product for heavy cleaning (hands in the solution, scrubbing for extended periods), wearing gloves is a simple precaution. People who already know they’re sensitive to fragranced products or essential oils should test a small area first or consider the unscented version if available. For routine mopping with a diluted solution and no prolonged skin contact, most people won’t have any reaction at all.
The Bottom Line on Safety
Murphy’s Oil Soap sits comfortably in the low-risk category for household cleaners. It’s not toxic in the traditional sense. Its main ingredient is a plant-derived soap that has been reviewed and deemed safe, and 98% of the formula comes from natural sources. The concerns that do exist are about skin sensitization from citronella oil, mild GI irritation if swallowed, and some environmental persistence from one of its minor ingredients. Used as directed, diluted in water for mopping or surface cleaning, it poses minimal risk to adults, children, and pets.