Standing in the cleaning aisle staring at Bona and Murphy’s Oil Soap can feel oddly stressful.

Both promise clean, shiny floors. Both have loyal fans. And both can be great… or totally wrong, depending on what you’re cleaning and what you expect after the mop dries.

But don’t worry, that’s what I am here for!

In this post, I’ll compare Bona vs Murphy’s Oil Soap to help you decide what to get.

#1 Main Ingredients

Bona and Murphy’s Oil Soap take completely different approaches right from the formula.

Bona uses a water-based formula built around gentle surfactants that lift dirt without soaking the floor. Its main active components are purified water, non-ionic surfactants for cleaning, and chelating agents that help prevent streaking and residue.

There are no oils, waxes, or heavy conditioners in the mix, which is why it dries fast and leaves very little behind.

Murphy’s Oil Soap is made from potassium vegetable oil soap, combined with water and fragrance.

The active cleaning power comes from those vegetable oil soaps, which both clean and lightly condition wood.

This oil-based formula is why it can make wood look richer, but it’s also why buildup can happen if it’s used too often or mixed too strong.

#2 Cleaning Strength

Murphy’s Oil Soap is more powerful than Bona.

It has more muscle, especially when you’re dealing with built-up grime, greasy spots, or wood that hasn’t been cleaned properly in a long time.

Kitchen floors, older wood furniture, and cabinets love Murphy’s because it can actually cut through that dull, sticky layer that regular cleaners barely touch.

Bona is strong enough for everyday dirt, pet footprints, dust, and spills, but it’s not aiming to be a deep scrubber.

Think of it as maintenance cleaning rather than rescue cleaning. It shines when floors already look decent and just need to stay that way.

#3 Surface Compatibility

This part matters more than most people realize.

Bona is designed for sealed hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, vinyl, and even tile, depending on the formula. It plays nicely with modern finishes like polyurethane and aluminum oxide coatings. Basically, it’s built for newer homes and updated floors.

Murphy’s Oil Soap is best for finished wood and traditional surfaces. It’s not a great match for laminate or no-wax floors, and it can be risky on surfaces that don’t like oil.

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

Bona works best on sealed, modern flooring
Murphy’s works best on traditional, finished wood
Murphy’s isn’t ideal for laminate or vinyl
Bona handles mixed flooring better

If your home has different floor types, Bona is easier to use everywhere without worrying.

#4 Finish And Shine

Murphy’s Oil Soap wins here, hands down.

It leaves wood looking warmer, richer, and slightly glowy. Not glossy in a slippery way, but more like the wood just had a good drink of water.

That’s a big reason people love it on older floors and furniture. It makes wood feel alive again.

Bona doesn’t try to add shine at all. It cleans and then steps out of the spotlight. Your floor looks the same as it did before, just cleaner. Some people love that honesty. Others feel it looks a bit flat compared to oil-based products.

If you like your wood to look cozy and rich, Murphy’s delivers.

If you want a clean, neutral finish that doesn’t change the look, Bona is the safer bet.

#5 Residue

Residue is one of those things you don’t notice… until you really notice.

Bona leaves very little residue when used correctly. You spray, mop, and the floor dries quickly without feeling sticky or slick. That’s why it works so well for frequent cleaning.

Murphy’s Oil Soap can leave residue if you use too much, don’t dilute it enough, or clean too often. That residue can attract dirt, which leads to floors looking dirty again faster.

When used occasionally and properly, it’s fine.

When used weekly on floors, it can become a problem.

So if low-maintenance is your goal, Bona wins this one comfortably.

#6 Smell

This one is very personal, but there’s still a clear difference.

Bona has a mild, clean scent that fades fast. It smells like “I just cleaned” and then disappears. Great if you’re sensitive to fragrances or just don’t want your house smelling like a cleaner all day.

Murphy’s Oil Soap has a stronger, more classic scent. Some people love it and associate it with a clean home. Others find it a bit much, especially in small spaces.

If smell matters to you, Bona is the easier choice. Murphy’s is more of a love-it-or-not-so-much situation.

Also Read: Is Mrs. Meyer’s Safe For Pets?

#7 Ease Of Use

Bona wins this one without much debate.

It’s spray-and-go. No mixing. No measuring. No bucket math.

You can clean a room in minutes, which makes it way more likely you’ll actually do it regularly.

Murphy’s Oil Soap needs dilution in water, and the ratio matters. Too weak and it won’t clean well. Too strong and you risk residue. It’s not hard, but it does take more effort and attention.

If convenience matters even a little, Bona makes life easier.

#8 Prices

Price-wise, these two are closer than people expect.

Murphy’s Oil Soap usually costs less per bottle, and one bottle lasts a long time since you dilute it. That makes it budget-friendly, especially if you’re cleaning large areas or lots of wood surfaces.

Bona costs more upfront, especially the spray versions, but you’re paying for convenience and a floor-specific formula.

Over time, the cost difference isn’t massive, but Murphy’s does come out slightly cheaper overall.

Neither one is wildly expensive, so this probably won’t be the deciding factor unless you clean a lot.

#9 Eco Friendliness

Both brands make an effort here, just in different ways.

Bona focuses on water-based formulas with low VOCs and safer ingredients for indoor air quality. Many of their products are GREENGUARD certified.

Murphy’s Oil Soap uses plant-derived ingredients and biodegradable soaps. It avoids harsh chemicals and sticks to a more traditional, natural approach.

So neither is a bad choice environmentally.

Bona leans modern and low-emission. Murphy’s leans natural and plant-based.

Should I Get Murphy’s Oil Soap Or Bona?

This comes down to how you live with your floors.

Bona is a great fit if you clean often, want something quick, and have sealed or modern flooring. It keeps things looking good without changing the finish or creating extra work later.

Murphy’s Oil Soap makes sense if you have traditional wood floors and enjoy that rich, conditioned look. It’s especially helpful for occasional deep cleans or older floors that need a little extra love.

Think about your routine more than the label.

The “best” cleaner is the one that fits how you actually clean.

Bottom Line

The main difference between Bona and Murphy’s Oil Soap is that Bona is better for regular floor cleaning, leaves no residue, dries faster, easier to use, smells better, and is safe to use on modern sealed floors, especially hardwood, laminate, and engineered wood.

Murphy’s Oil Soap, on the other hand, is cheaper and better for deeper cleaning, conditioning wood, improving warmth and shine, tackling built-up grime, working on furniture and cabinets.

Bona Vs Murphy’s Oil Soap (What Should I Get?)