📋 Specifications
Yield
1 bag mixes with 30 gallons of water
Format
Dry powder concentrate — just add water
Ingredients
Cosmetic-grade surfactant blend (organic, all-natural foaming agents)
Foam Color
Pure white (no dyes)
Scent
Unscented (no fragrances)
Safety
Hypoallergenic, biodegradable, non-staining, human & pet safe
Shelf Life
Indefinite when stored dry in sealed packaging
Compatibility
All SurgeFX foam machines, Black Box Injection Blending System, any standard foam machine
What's In It
Foam Powder Solution is a cosmetic-grade surfactant blend — the same type of foaming agent found in shampoo and bubble bath, without the cleaning additives, fragrances, or dyes. The active ingredient is an organic, all-natural foaming agent that produces foam consisting of approximately 99% air and water, with less than 1% surfactant. No detergents, no degreasers, no soap — just foaming agent formulated specifically for skin contact at foam party concentrations.
Safety Profile
Hypoallergenic. Neutral pH. Biodegradable. Non-staining. Free of cleaning chemicals, harsh detergents, dyes, and artificial fragrances. Safe for direct skin contact in adults, children, and pets. Avoid direct eye contact — foam solution can cause temporary eye irritation (same as shampoo or bubble bath). Not a food product — do not ingest. Rinse off after extended skin contact.
🔧 How to Mix Foam Powder Solution
Powder is the simplest mixing process of any foam solution format — dissolve the bag in water, let it rest briefly, and run your foam machine. The only thing to get right is making sure the powder is fully dissolved before use.
Step by Step
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Fill your container with 30 gallons of clean water. A standard 53-gallon barrel works well — 30 gallons fills it just over half full, leaving plenty of room to stir. Any clean vessel that holds at least 30 gallons works.
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Add the powder. Pour the entire 12 oz bag into the water. Hold the bag close to the water surface to reduce airborne particles — the powder is fine and can drift if poured from height.
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Stir until fully dissolved. Use a long paddle or run your submersible pump for 30 seconds to agitate. Stir from the bottom up — powder sinks and can settle without reaching the full volume. You want the entire container evenly mixed with no visible powder pockets at the bottom.
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Let rest approximately 10 minutes. The surfactant needs time to fully hydrate and activate. This brief rest produces noticeably better foam quality than running the machine immediately after mixing.
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Run your foam machine as normal. Connect your pump, cannon, or Black Box and go.
⚠ Powder MUST Be Fully Dissolved. This is the most common mistake with powder solution. Undissolved powder settling at the bottom means your pump draws plain water first (producing weak or no foam) and then hits concentrated sludge later (producing uneven output). Stir thoroughly from the bottom. If you can see powder sitting at the bottom of the container, it's not ready.
💡 Pro Move: Mix the Night Before. Pre-mixing the evening before your event eliminates the 10-minute rest from your event-day setup. The solution sits overnight fully hydrated and ready to go. It's also the best time to discover if something isn't right — better to troubleshoot at home than 30 minutes before guests arrive.
⚖ Small Bag vs. Large Bag vs. Other Solution Formats
Small Bag vs. Large Bag
Same formula, different quantity. The Large Bag (1 lb) mixes with 40 gallons of water. The Small Bag (12 oz) mixes with 30 gallons. The Large Bag offers better value per gallon of yield and is the better choice for multi-event operators or larger foam setups. The Small Bag is right-sized for single events, smaller zones, or first-time testing.
Powder vs. Other Solution Formats
SurgeFX sells foam solution in three formats. All three use the same cosmetic-grade surfactant chemistry and produce the same quality foam. The difference is concentration, prep work, and cost per gallon of yield.
Format
Powder · Ready to Run · Gel Concentrate
Prep Steps
Powder: Dissolve in water, 10-min rest · RTR: Pour and go, no wait · Gel: 4:1 breakdown + 24-hr rest, then 75:1 mix
Lead Time
Powder: 10 minutes · RTR: None — immediate · Gel: 24 hours
Shipping Weight
Powder: 12 oz/bag (lightest) · RTR: ~8.5 lbs/gal · Gel: ~10 lbs/gal
Shelf Life
Powder: Indefinite (dry) · RTR: Extended (sealed) · Gel: Extended (sealed); 1–2 weeks after breakdown
Storage
Powder: Most compact, no freeze risk · RTR: Liquid, freeze risk · Gel: Liquid, freeze risk
Best For
Powder: Remote events, light shipping, long-term storage · RTR: Convenience, same-day, first-timers · Gel: Maximum value, repeat operators
Black Box Compatible
Powder: Yes (after dissolving) · RTR: Yes (directly) · Gel: Yes (after 24-hr breakdown)
Bulk Purchasing
For orders of 5 or more cases, contact SurgeFX directly for wholesale pricing. Call (866) 577-8743 or visit the Contact page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons does the Small Bag make?
One 12 oz bag mixes with 30 gallons of water. A standard 53-gallon barrel filled just over halfway is about right. For a typical backyard foam party running one barrel, a single Small Bag is all you need.
Small Bag vs. Large Bag — what's the difference?
Same formula, different quantity. Small Bag (12 oz) mixes with 30 gallons of water. Large Bag (1 lb) mixes with 40 gallons. The Large Bag offers better value per gallon. Choose the Small Bag for single events and smaller setups; choose the Large Bag for multi-event use, larger foam zones, or better per-gallon economics.
Is it safe for kids?
Yes. Hypoallergenic, neutral pH, cosmetic-grade ingredients. Same foaming agents used in children's bubble bath — without the cleaning additives, fragrances, or dyes. Safe for direct skin contact in adults, children, and pets. Avoid direct eye contact; rinse with clean water if foam gets in eyes.
Will it stain?
No. Foam Powder Solution is pure white with no dyes. The resulting foam is non-staining. If you add Foam Color Additive, staining potential comes from the colorant — not the base foam solution.
Does it expire?
No practical expiration as dry powder. As long as the bag is stored sealed in a dry location, the powder maintains its effectiveness indefinitely. Once mixed with water, use the solution within 24–48 hours for best results.
Can I mix it the night before?
Yes — recommended. Pre-mixing the night before eliminates the 10-minute rest from your event-day setup and gives you time to verify the solution is properly dissolved before guests arrive.
Works with all foam machines?
Yes. Once dissolved in water, the solution works with the Foam Blaster Maxx, Foam Blaster Pro-X, the Black Box Injection Blending System, and any standard foam machine that draws from a solution barrel.
Can I use it with colorant or UV powder?
Yes. Dissolve the foam powder fully first, then add Foam Color Additive or UV Glow Powder to the mixed solution and stir to distribute. Always add additives after the base foam solution is fully mixed — never add dye or UV powder to plain water before mixing the foam powder.
Can I use it with scented solution?
Yes. The powder provides the surfactant base, and Scented Solution adds fragrance. Mix the powder into water first, then add the scented solution.
Is this the same as dish soap?
No. Dish soap contains cleaning agents, degreasers, and fragrances designed to cut grease and clean dishes. Foam Powder Solution is a cosmetic-grade surfactant only — formulated for direct skin contact at foam party concentrations. Do not substitute dish soap for foam solution. Dish soap can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, and is not designed for the volumes of direct contact involved in foam events.
How many bags do I need for a typical foam party?
That depends on your event size and how long you run. A single Small Bag fills one 30-gallon barrel. A typical 2–3 hour foam party might burn through 3–4 barrels of solution, so you'd need 3–4 Small Bags — or 2–3 Large Bags for the same event at better per-gallon value. For a short backyard party running one machine for an hour, 1–2 Small Bags is usually sufficient.
💡 Pro Tips from SurgeFX Operators
Pour Low, Stir Deep
Hold the bag close to the water surface when pouring to minimize airborne powder particles. Then stir from the bottom up — powder sinks and can settle without fully incorporating if you only stir the surface. A long paddle or submersible pump running for 30 seconds gets the job done.
The 10-Minute Rest Is Not Optional
After dissolving the powder, let the solution sit for at least 10 minutes before running your foam machine. The surfactant needs time to hydrate and activate. Skipping the rest produces noticeably weaker foam for the first several minutes — exactly when your audience is watching most closely. Ten minutes of patience pays off.
Mix the Night Before
The best time to discover that your solution isn't right is not 30 minutes before guests arrive. Pre-mixing the evening before your event gives you time to verify everything is properly dissolved, eliminates the 10-minute rest from your event-day timeline, and reduces morning-of stress. The solution holds fine overnight.
Stir Before Each Use
If your mixed solution has been sitting for several hours or overnight, give it a quick stir before running your machine. Settled surfactant at the bottom means the first few minutes of foam output may be weaker. A 15-second stir re-suspends everything evenly.
Don't Mix More Than You Need
Mixed solution is best used within 24–48 hours. Dry powder lasts indefinitely. If you're not sure how much you'll need, err on the side of fewer bags — it's quick to mix a fresh batch mid-event if you run low. Easier than dumping 30 gallons of leftover solution after the party.
Test Local Water
Water hardness varies by location and can affect foam quality. Hard water may produce slightly different foam density than soft water. If you're running events at multiple venues across different locations, test at each new venue to dial in the right consistency. Most operators find that standard ratios work well everywhere, but testing eliminates surprises.
Keep Powder Dry
Moisture-contaminated powder clumps and dissolves poorly. Store sealed bags in a dry location away from humidity. If a bag feels lumpy or hard before opening, moisture may have gotten in — the powder will still work but will require more aggressive stirring to break up the clumps.
One Bag, One Barrel
The mixing ratio is straightforward: one Small Bag per 30 gallons of water. Don't try to stretch a bag across more water than specified — undermixing produces thin, weak foam that won't impress anyone. Full strength produces full-quality foam.