A foam cannon spraying thick foam on a big black truck.

The Complete Guide to Using a Foam Cannon

March 28, 2024 Nicholas Heisler

Foam cannons are invaluable tools for achieving a thorough and efficient wash on various surfaces, including cars, boats, and more. With their ability to produce thick, sudsy foam, foam cannons make the cleaning process easier and more effective.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about using a foam cannon, including the steps to setting one up, how much soap to use, compatibility with garden hoses, filling instructions, and tips for maximizing foaminess.

A foam cannon full of blue soap to create thick foam for washing.

This foam cannon is designed for use with a standard garden hose.

How to Use a Foam Cannon

Foam cannons make distributing soap a breeze, and they are really fun to use! Let's take a look at the basic steps to follow to use your foam cannon:

1. Add Soap to Your Foam Cannon

A common question is how much soap to use in your foam cannon. We recommend starting with a small amount - 1/4 cup or less. Add it straight into the foam cannon body.

2. Fill the Cannon with Water

After adding soap, carefully fill the cannon body with water. It often helps to mix the soap up into the water to create a uniform washing solution.

3. Attach the Foam Cannon to Your Hose

Attach the foam cannon handle to your hose by screwing the end of the hose into the foam cannon nozzle.

4. Adjust Settings

Quality foam cannons have a "foam dial" on top that allows you to control the amount of washing solution is added to the water coming through the hose.

5. Soap Down Your Vehicle

Start spraying the foam cannon by squeezing the nozzle handle. Test the flow and soap amount and adjust as needed. Work from top to bottom, hitting every surface you want to clean.

6. Let the Foam Cannon Soap Go to Work

Let the foamy soap sit on the surfaces to be cleaned. The soap will begin to loosen up dirt and grime.

7. Scrub Surfaces

Use a sponge, wash mitt, or cleaning brush to scrub away any stubborn dirt and buildup.

8. Rinse Using the Included Nozzle

The great thing about a quality foam cannon, is that you don't need to unscrew the entire cannon to rinse off your vehicle. Just use the quick-connect attachment to release the cannon body and spray to rinse off your soap!

9. Dry Your Vehicle & Clean Your Foam Cannon

All that's left to do now is dry off your vehicle (to prevent water spots) and rinse out your foam cannon. Let it air dry complete so it's ready to go next time you need it.

Common Foam Cannon Questions

How Much Soap to Use in a Foam Cannon?

Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the amount of soap to use. This could vary from model to model. We recommend using Captain's Fury Foam Cannon Soap and filling the reservoir about 1/4 of the way with soap. Adjust the soap concentration as needed to achieve the desired level of foaminess.

Pouring foam cannon soap into a foam cannon.

Can You Use a Foam Cannon with a Garden Hose?

Yes, some models (like this foam cannon) are made to be used with garden hoses. These foam cannons are easy to use and hook up to a standard hose you might have at your home or dock.

How Do You Fill a Foam Cannon?

To fill a foam cannon:

Remove the reservoir (the tank part) from the foam cannon body.
Add the desired amount of foam cannon soap.
Fill the remaining area of the reservoir with fresh water.
Mix the soap and water into a uniform washing solution.
Reattach the reservoir to the foam cannon body by screwing the top back on. Make sure it's attached securely.

Finger pointing to a foam cannon's sud dial to make more foam. The sud dial at the top of the foam cannon controls the amount of soap used and can be used to produce more foam.

How Do You Make a Foam Cannon More Foamy?

To maximize foaminess with a foam cannon:

Use the best foam cannon soap you can find
Try adjusting the soap concentration in your foam cannon, being sure to thoroughly mix the soap and water in the foam cannon's reservoir
Use the foam setting dial at the top of the foam cannon to adjust for more or less foam

A foam cannon spraying a boat engine cowling with foam.

Get Washing Today

By following these steps and tips, you can make the most of your foam cannon and achieve professional-quality results when cleaning your car, truck, boat, and more. Happy foaming!