25 Oct 2024
Do more bubbles = more clean?
- Bubbles are mostly for show, not performance
- Real cleaning comes from ingredients that break down grease
- Too many suds will require more rinsing, more wasted water
- A small amount of the right formula goes a long way
Let’s burst a bubble myth.
Most of us are probably guilty of squeezing a bit more washing up liquid into the sink for luck. We’re conditioned to want a mountain of bubbles. Because surely more foam means cleaner dishes?
Not quite.
Bubbles might look busy, but they’re not doing the heavy lifting. They’re more of a by-product of the cleaning that’s taking place. In fact, a lot of the time they’re there purely because they’ve been separately added.
So… what actually does the cleaning?
It’s not the bubbles. It’s the surfactants.
These are the clever ingredients in your Washing Up Liquid that:
- Grab onto grease and dirt molecules
- Lift them away from your plates
- Keep them in the water so they can rinse away
- That’s the real cleaning job that’s going on beneath the water’s surface!
The bubbles? They’re a byproduct of the surfactants doing their work. Not proof you’re getting a great clean. In fact many modern day surfactants are designed to NOT produce as many bubbles because they get in the way.
More foam can be a hindrance.
Here’s the bit no one explains:
- The more bubbles, the more water you need to rinse them away
- Too many suds can leave residue behind
- When the bubbles die down, we then think it’s stopped working… so we add even more
Too many bubbles can actually impede proper cleaning by getting in the way of the water and cushioning against the agitation that helps to get things clean.
What matters instead.
Instead of looking at the amount of bubbles in your sink, consider this:
- Are your dishes grease-free?
- Do they feel clean, (not slippery)?
- Is the water still doing its job?
These are the real signals that cleaning is taking place. Not a sink that looks like a bubble bath.
A great washing up liquid should:
- Cut through grease easily
- Work well in either hot or cold water
- Rinse away quickly
- Feel gentle on hands
Not just foam dramatically.
smol Washing Up Liquid.
Our dermatologically tested, plant-powered Washing Up Liquids both focus on performance first, bubbles second:
- Pink Grapefruit (zesty, bright, gets the job done)
- Aloe Vera (Sensitive) accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.
Washing Up Liquid bubble FAQs.
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet and gentle on the skin. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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