# Is the concentration of bubbles in detergent a measure of anything?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 15, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177 "2005-11-15T16:43:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177/1 "2005-11-15T16:43:01Z")
That is, if the detergent generates lots of bubbles does it mean it cleans better than one that doesn’t generate mucho bubblitos?
Are the bubbles merely an appealing but meaningless feature?
For the hell of it, put a little bit of Dawn, or some other detergent, in a pot and turn on the hot water full force. Get an idea of the prevalance of bubbles. Go ahead and count them if you think it’s important, we can wait.
Next…
Thoroughly rinse out all the soap, or even better, use another similar pan and put in the same amount of detergent. Now, use the ‘shower’ feature of your faucet and see the phenomenal increase in bubbles. (If you tend to be impressed by inconsequential shit, this is absolutely guaranteed to knock you out. :eek: )
So, that’s my question. Do more bubbles help a detergent clean better?
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### Author:  [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177/2 "2005-11-15T16:47:28Z")
Based on products such as dishwasher detergent, carpet shampoo and detergent for front-load washing machines, there’s no practical value to suds. Detergents for these applications are specifically formulated not to produce suds, and the equipment they’re used in can be harmed, or at least a mess will be made, if sudsing detergent is used in them.
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### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177/3 "2005-11-15T17:14:09Z")
What **gotpasswords** said but note this: _If_ a detergent is intended to foam, a lack of foam usually means that there is more dirt/oil than the amount of detergent can handle. More detergent or a rinse/resuds might be needed. I.e., in _some_ products suds can be used as an indicator.
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### Author:  [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177/4 "2005-11-15T17:32:51Z")
The chemicals that give the elasticity needed for mountains of suds are not the same ones that do the cleaning. In an electric dishwasher, for example, there’s very little suds, but the detergent is powerful enough to take off dried/petrified food without scrubbing.
Suds impress the customer; that’s the bottom line.
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### Author:  [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concentration-of-bubbles-in-detergent-a-measure-of-anything/331177/5 "2005-11-15T17:48:39Z")
Good stuff from all. Thanks very much.
Mods you may close this thread
But I must admit I am in the throes of despair that not one of you tried my shock and awe experiment. 😃😃😃