Developing environmentally friendly cleaning processes that use minimal amounts of water and detergents, yet remain effective across a wide range of contaminations, remains a significant challenge. In this context, bubbles and foams have traditionally been regarded as unwanted by-products or, at best, as passive indicators of cleaning efficiency. However, I will argue that—when appropriately designed—bubbles and foams introduce different distinct physical phenomena that actively contribute to the cleaning process. The interplay of these effects can substantially enhance cleaning performance for a broad spectrum of contaminants, ranging from liquids to solids, and from synthetic to biological in nature. I will present the key underlying mechanisms and, through various examples, illustrate how they have been—and could be—harnessed in the development of innovative, sustainable cleaning strategies.