The invention discloses a method to enable the efficient use of surfactants in web forming of a cellulose containing material, e.g. in the making of paper or paperboard. The method comprises the addition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) to the white water in a web-forming process in order to form complexes with surface active agents. The formed complexes are at least partly recycled to the process. This enables the producer to have control over the concentration of surface active agents in the system.