Do more bubbles mean a better clean? The truth about cleaning products & bubbles

Let me tell you a dirty little cleaning secret (pun fully intended): foam doesn’t equal clean. 

It feels wrong, right? For years, we’ve been sold this idea that if something isn’t foaming up like a cappuccino on steroids, it’s not working. Whether it’s dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent or floor cleaner – we’re basically programmed to think that bubbles determine the quality of the cleaning agent.

But, here’s the truth:

Foam is just for show. It’s not responsible for the cleaning.

Why do cleaning products foam?

Foam is just trapped air. It happens when synthetic surfactants (the cleaning agents) mix with water and air, creating bubbles. That’s literally it. Foam isn’t the ingredient that scrubs away grease or lifts the stains – it’s just a byproduct.

But marketers (and even we as consumers) love a visual show. Foam looks like proof that the product is working, even though it’s not responsible for the actual cleaning.

So many products are loaded with extra foaming agents purely for the satisfaction factor.

Why foam isn’t necessarily good

Here’s the thing: the more a product foams, the more water it takes to rinse off. Think about how many times you’ve had to rinse and re-rinse your dishes just to get rid of suds.

And, it gets worse. Many of these foaming additives don’t just vanish when they go down the drain – they can pollute rivers, harm aquatic life and mess with the sensitive balance of ecosystems. All for bubbles that don’t even do the cleaning.

So while we’re over here chasing bubbles, we’re also wasting water and sending unnecessary chemicals into the environment.

Evolve Biodegradable products foam less – but still clean like champs

Evolve’s eco-cleaning range chose to skip the ‘foam frenzy.’ With the use of natural surfactants, Evolve products do the job, without the fluff (or should I say … froth?).

Yes, it takes some getting used to. I’ll admit, the first time I washed dishes with Evolve’s Dish Washing Liquid, I kept adding more because my brain was like: ‘No foam? Not enough soap.’ But the dishes? Already spotless.

Once you unlearn the foam fallacy, you’ll notice how much quicker and easier it is. Less rinsing, less water waste and no chemical nasties swirling down your drain. Just effective, gentle cleaning – without the drama.

Final Thoughts

Popping your bubble (just a little) here … sometimes, the cleanest choice isn’t the foamiest one. And that’s okay – because real care isn’t always flashy. It’s in the quiet moments, the small decisions and the hope that every little thoughtful step can help us leave a better world behind.