May Have a Murphy's Oil Issue . . . Help Me ??
by Wxw
I have had help with house cleaning, approx 6 months, since injuring my hip. She has been using a diluted version of Murphy's Oil Soap and water in a spray bottle on our wood furniture. I have noticed a sort of haze on the tabletops. Our furniture has a satin finish if that matters. Most often she sprays the solution onto a micro fiber rag and wipes over surfaces. Other times, I have seen her spray the solution directly onto the tops. Could this be ruining the finish? I am not particularly using this tactic to get new furniture, but help yourself to the devious idea if your spouse is against a change! Really, any/all help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Murphy's Oil Soap usually needs to be rinsed behind. It will dull the finish on wood if you don't. It's not ruined but it has a build up. It will need to be cleaned to get it off. You can use something like OrangeGlo or another product designed to cut through old wax. Although it isn't wax, it's very similar. If you want to ruin the furniture, you can scrub with water (wood's worst enemy) and warp it.
Hello, I would try vinegar mixed with some water and a drop of dawn. Spray it on and wipe it off. Don't let it sit too long. This should take the haze off from the murphys oil soap.
Hi! I honestly don't use Murphy's because it is an oil based soap, and even when diluted according to directions, built up for me. Leaving wood wet, will damage the finish, I agree. But, the oily based residue, which can soften wood finishes, needs to be removed. Try a well wrung out soft cloth, wiping with the grain to see if the residue will come off. Dry it carefully, again following the grain. If that doesn't work, based on my own experience and a class I took on furniture finishes, mix a drop or two of dish detergent that is gentle on your hands in a bowl. Moisten a clean cloth, wring it out well, and do the cleaning again. If the furniture finish isn't damaged, it should start showing some improvement. Be sure to clean with the grain, and use a clean cloth for each application. Gently dry it. I always put cleaner on a soft cloth, not spraying directly on a wood surface. Stay away from silicone cleaners, too. Good luck.