The article deals with surfactants capable of forming an aerodispersive system, foam, under specific conditions as described below. Characteristics of surfactants usable as foaming agents are specified. Attention is paid to detergency and detergent effects of foams, wetting process, dispersion formation, stabilization of foams and stabilizers. Rheological properties of foams, more precisely volume increase and stability, are described. Methods for disinfection efficacy testing of foaming agents are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of using foams for disinfection are summarized: it is concluded that the use of foams in disinfection is universally advantageous and means a great advance in disinfection technology.

        Key words: surfactant – detergent – foam – rheological properties – carrier – disinfection.