At Great Opportunity Cleaning, our professional crews serve families and businesses across Columbus, OH, Dublin, Westerville, and New Albany with dependable Regular House Cleaning and top-to-bottom Deep Cleaning. One of the most versatile, plant-based household cleaners our clients ask about is Murphy's Oil Soap. Below, explore 19 incredible Murphy's Oil Soap uses for wood, floors, carpets, leather, kitchens, and more.
1. Banister Cleaner
Stairway handrails and wood banisters constantly collect hand oils, dust, and sticky buildup. Dilute a small amount of Murphy's Oil Soap in warm water, wipe down the banister with a damp microfiber cloth, and buff dry with a clean towel to restore a smooth, residue-free finish.
2. Insect Repellent
You can mix lemon juice, vegetable oil, Murphy's Oil Soap, and warm water in a spray bottle to wipe down window sills, door frames, and entry thresholds to help deter household bugs naturally. For complete indoor hygiene and pest-prone area sanitizing, explore our Pest & Bug Zone Sanitation services.
3. Remove Paint from Paint Brushes
After a DIY painting or remodeling project, soaking stiff paint brushes in warm water mixed with Murphy's Oil Soap softens dried acrylic and latex paint without harsh chemical thinners. If you have just finished a larger remodel, our Post-Construction Cleaning team can remove fine drywall dust and paint splatters across your entire property.
4. Leather Cleaner
Murphy's Oil Soap works as a gentle leather cleaner for leather sofas, chairs, boots, and accessories. Lightly dampen a soft cloth with a diluted solution, wipe the leather surface gently to lift dirt and body oils, and wipe dry immediately to keep the leather supple and conditioned.
5. Shines Laminated Floors
Mix 1/2 cup of Murphy's Oil Soap into 2 gallons of warm water and damp-mop with a well-wrung flat microfiber mop to clean and shine laminated floors without cloudy streaks. Read our dedicated guide on How to Clean Laminate Floors for more moisture-protection tips.
6. Clean Car Interior
A mild solution of Murphy's Oil Soap and warm water safely cleans leather car seats, vinyl dashboards, door panels, and steering wheels without leaving a greasy silicone film. We also provide commercial showroom care through our Car Dealership Cleaning program in Central Ohio.
7. Carpet Cleaner
Using Murphy's Oil Soap as a spot carpet cleaner is a favorite trick for fresh household spills: apply a small drop directly to the carpet stain, let it sit for a few minutes to break down the spot, blot and scrub gently with a damp cloth, and rinse with clean water. For whole-room floor care, see our Professional Carpet Cleaning in Columbus and our Area Rug Cleaning Tips.
8. Glass Top Stove Cleaner
Combine 2 tablespoons of Murphy's Oil Soap in 1 quart of warm water to cut through cooking grease and burnt splatters on glass-top stoves. Wipe with a non-abrasive sponge and buff with a dry microfiber towel for a streak-free shine.
9. All-Purpose Cleaner
Dilute 1 tablespoon of Murphy's Oil Soap per gallon of warm water for a gentle all-purpose cleaner safe for painted walls, baseboards, doors, and household surfaces—a staple technique in our recurring Housekeeping Services.
10. Removes Grease and Grime from Kitchen Appliances
Cooking oils and airborne grease settle on refrigerator handles, range hoods, and cabinet fronts. Murphy's Oil Soap emulsifies sticky kitchen grease effortlessly. Check out our Kitchen Cleaning Guide or schedule Restaurant & Commercial Kitchen Cleaning for heavy-duty commercial degreasing.
11. Removes Stains from Upholstery
Blot fabric sofa or chair stains gently using a cloth dampened with warm water and a few drops of Murphy's Oil Soap, then blot with a clean damp towel. Learn more in our Sofa & Upholstery Cleaning Tips.
12. Clean and Shine Silverware
Wash tarnished or dull silverware and serving pieces in warm water with a splash of Murphy's Oil Soap, rinse thoroughly, and hand-dry with a soft lint-free cloth to bring back their natural luster.
13. Cleans Sticky Residue from Stickers
Price tags, decals, and moving labels leave stubborn adhesive on glass, wood, and appliances. Rub a dab of Murphy's Oil Soap over the sticky residue, wait two minutes, and wipe clean—a common detail we handle during Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning.
14. Clean Your Wooden Furniture
Finished wooden dining tables, bookshelves, cabinets, and dressers stay rich and glowing when wiped with diluted Murphy's Oil Soap and buffed dry parallel to the wood grain. For matching floor care, read our guides on Wood Floor Care and Cleaning Hardwood Floors.
15. Removes Soap Scum from Bathroom Tiles
Wipe ceramic and porcelain shower walls and bathroom tiles with a warm Murphy's Oil Soap solution to dissolve soap scum and hard-water film without harsh fumes. Pair this with our Bathroom Cleaning Tips.
16. Clean and Shine Your Jewelry
Soak gold, silver, and gemstone jewelry for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of Murphy's Oil Soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and pat dry for an instant sparkle.
17. Clean Your Bathroom Mirrors
A very light dilution of Murphy's Oil Soap in warm water removes hairspray mist, toothpaste splatters, and smudges from mirrors—a technique we use daily in residential baths and Hair Salon & Spa Cleaning.
18. Cleans the Inside of Your Microwave
Wipe down the interior walls and turntable of your microwave with a warm cloth dipped in diluted Murphy's Oil Soap, then rinse with a clean damp cloth. For deeper appliance care, see our Microwave Cleaning Hacks and Oven Cleaning on a Budget.
19. Clean Your Grill
Exterior grill hoods, side tables, and grates coated in smoke and grease clean up quickly when scrubbed with warm water and Murphy's Oil Soap after backyard cookouts. Hosting a gathering? Ask about our pre- and post-party Special Event Cleaning.
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