--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Shampoo doesn’t have to foam, but we add…" description: "\"Shampoo doesn’t have to foam, but we add foaming chemicals because people expect it each time they wash their hair. Same thing with laundry detergent. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f9/charles-duhigg-1088_add_shampoo-doesn-t-have-to-foam-but-we-add_2472409.jpg" --- # Shampoo doesn’t have to foam, but we add foaming chemicals… ![“Shampoo doesn’t have to foam, but we add foaming chemicals because people expect it each time they wash their hair. Same thing with laundry detergent. And toothpaste—now every company adds sodium laureth sulfate to make toothpaste foam more. There’s no cleaning benefit, but people feel better when…” quote by Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f9/charles-duhigg-1088_add_shampoo-doesn-t-have-to-foam-but-we-add_2472409.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f9/charles-duhigg-1088_add_shampoo-doesn-t-have-to-foam-but-we-add_2472409.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f9/charles-duhigg-1088_add_shampoo-doesn-t-have-to-foam-but-we-add_2472409.jpg) > “Shampoo doesn’t have to foam, but we add foaming chemicals because people expect it each time they wash their hair. Same thing with laundry detergent. And toothpaste—now every company adds sodium laureth sulfate to make toothpaste foam more. There’s no cleaning benefit, but people feel better when there’s a bunch of suds around their mouth. Once the customer starts expecting that foam, the habit starts growing.” [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Consumers accept unnecessary foaming agents because expectations shape perception of effectiveness, even when no functional benefit exists. **In simple terms:** Foam tricks perception of cleaning. Key Takeaway Question expectations versus actual value. Themes consumer behavior expectations marketing habit formation perception Mood critical inquisitive Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - choosing cleaning products - advertising strategies - personal hygiene routines - product development Key Concepts Behavioral economics psychology of habits product design Questions to Reflect On - Why do you prefer foamy products? - How can you evaluate product effectiveness without marketing cues? A Different Perspective Changing habits may be hard without visible cues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Add](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/) [Add Foaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add-foaming-776428/) [Benefits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefits/) [Bunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bunch/) [Chemicals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemicals/) [Cleaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cleaning/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Customers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customers/) [Detergent Toothpaste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detergent-toothpaste-776426/) [Doesn Foam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doesn-foam-776429/) [Expecting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expecting/) [Feel better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-better/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Foam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foam/) [Foam Add](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foam-add-776427/) [Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Laundry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laundry/) [Laundry detergent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laundry-detergent/) [Mouths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mouths/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shampoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shampoo/) [Sodium](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sodium/) [Toothpaste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toothpaste/) [Toothpaste Foam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toothpaste-foam-776425/) ## Related quotes > [“Foaming is a huge reward,” said Sinclair, the brand manager. “Shampoo doesn’t have to foam, but we add foaming chemicals because people expect it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/foaming-is-a-huge-reward-said-sinclair-the-brand-manager-shampoo/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Do you like laundry detergent lmaoo !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-like-laundry-detergent-lmaoo/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You know, when you go into the store and buy a box of laundry detergent, and the price has gone up - you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/you-know-when-you-go-into-the-store-and-buy-a-box-of-laundry/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [“I’m one washing machine away from throwing in the towel. But I’m not a quitter. I’m also out of laundry detergent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-m-one-washing-machine-away-from-throwing-in-the-towel-but-i-m-not-a/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Higher-end detergents contain at least three digestive enzymes: amylase to break down starchy stains, protease for proteins, and lipase for greasy stains (not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/higher-end-detergents-contain-at-least-three-digestive-enzymes/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [Have you ever noticed how they keep improving your laundry detergent, but they still can't get those blue flakes out? Why do we trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/have-you-ever-noticed-how-they-keep-improving-your-laundry-detergent/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [When I was a little kid and I heard a song I liked on TV, I would jump up and run to the piano…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-urie/when-i-was-a-little-kid-and-i-heard-a-song-i-liked-on-tv-i-would-jump/) [Brendon Urie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-urie/) > [“I use Cheer. I like the idea of a happy wash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/i-use-cheer-i-like-the-idea-of-a-happy-wash/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [I think those little laundry detergent capsules are an amazing thing to have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-brolin/i-think-those-little-laundry-detergent-capsules-are-an-amazing-thing/) [Josh Brolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-brolin/) > [It is totally unconscionable to subject defenseless animals to mutilation and death, just so a company can be the first to market a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-van-buren/it-is-totally-unconscionable-to-subject-defenseless-animals-to/) [Abigail Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-van-buren/) > [I am really concerned about all of the chemicals. Global warming is another huge one, but the amount of chemicals being used in like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-jennings/i-am-really-concerned-about-all-of-the-chemicals-global-warming-is/) [Mason Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-jennings/) > [There are only four things in all cleaners - whether it's shampoo, laundry detergent, whatever.You buy them in bulk and you mix them up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mollison/there-are-only-four-things-in-all-cleaners-whether-it-s-shampoo/) [Bill Mollison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mollison/) > [“You think Tide is better, or All?' 'Which has a prettier box?' I ask. 'I don't want a pretty box. I want a dude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-lockhart/you-think-tide-is-better-or-all-which-has-a-prettier-box-i-ask-i-don/) [E. Lockhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-lockhart/) > [ I really do think that our subconscious gets corrupted with fear, and fear is how news media - all media - makes us \[watch\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/i-really-do-think-that-our-subconscious-gets-corrupted-with-fear-and/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [Postal inspectors have been given advanced warning that Publishers Clearinghouse is sending packets of laundry detergent that could be mistaken for anthrax. Oh, good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/postal-inspectors-have-been-given-advanced-warning-that-publishers/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) ## More by Charles Duhigg > [“If you want to stop smoking, ask yourself, do you do it because you love nicotine, or because it provides a burst of stimulation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/if-you-want-to-stop-smoking-ask-yourself-do-you-do-it-because-you/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“What matters are five key norms,” he told the audience. Teams need to believe that their work is important. Teams need to feel their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/what-matters-are-five-key-norms-he-told-the-audience-teams-need-to/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [America has always had an apocalyptic strain. Yet it also seems to believe that if, or when, The End comes, it will still come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/america-has-always-had-an-apocalyptic-strain-yet-it-also-seems-to/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Bromates are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, but officials are required to test for them only when water leaves a treatment plant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/bromates-are-regulated-by-the-safe-drinking-water-act-but-officials/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [America is the Saudi Arabia of coal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/america-is-the-saudi-arabia-of-coal/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“Habits, scientists say, emerge because the brain is constantly looking for ways to save effort. Left”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/habits-scientists-say-emerge-because-the-brain-is-constantly-looking/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Between calculated risk and reckless decision-making lies the dividing line between profit and loss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/between-calculated-risk-and-reckless-decision-making-lies-the/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Older Americans are perfect telemarketing customers, analysts say, because they are often at home, rely on delivery services, and are lonely for the companionship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/older-americans-are-perfect-telemarketing-customers-analysts-say/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits - practical, emotional, and intellectual - systematically organized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/all-our-life-so-far-as-it-has-definite-form-is-but-a-mass-of-habits/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“Someday soon, say predictive analytics experts, it will be possible for companies to know our tastes and predict our habits better than we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/someday-soon-say-predictive-analytics-experts-it-will-be-possible-for/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [“I love Paul O'Neill, but you could not pay me enough to work for him again" one official told me. 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