From Wikipedia:
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Alums are useful for a range of industrial processes. They are soluble in water; have an astringent, acid, and sweetish taste; react acid to litmus; and crystallize in regular octahedra. When heated they liquefy; and if the heating is continued, the water of crystallization is driven off, the salt froths and swells, and at last an amorphous powder remains.
Potassium alum is the common alum of commerce, although soda alum, ferric alum, and ammonium alum are manufactured.
Alum is also used in purification of drinking water in industries. In a holding tank, some alum (phitkari) is added to the water so that the negatively charged light colloidal parts stick together and get heavy (flocculate) when alum makes the colloidal particles neutralized by making its aluminum ions get loaded with the colloidal parts. When the colloidal parts get heavy they can be easily separated from the tank for further chlorination of water in the process of purification of water.
Cosmetic
Alum in block form (usually potassium alum) is used as a blood coagulant.
Styptic pencils containing aluminium sulfate or potassium aluminium sulfate are used as astringents to prevent bleeding from small shaving cuts.
Alum was used as a base in skin whiteners and treatments during the late 16th century. A recipe for one such compound was given thus:
"For the Freckles which one getteth by the heat of the Sun: Take a little Allom beaten small, temper amonst it a well brayed white of an egg, put it on a milde fire, stirring it always about that it wax not hard, and when it casteth up the scum, then it is enough, wherewith anoint the Freckles the space of three dayes: if you will defend your self that you get no Freckles on the face, then anoint your face with the whites of eggs." —Christopher Wirzung, General Practise of Physicke, 1654.
Alum may be used in depilatory waxes used for the removal of body hair, or applied to freshly waxed skin as a soothing agent.
In the 1950s, men sporting crewcut or flattop hairstyles sometimes applied alum to their front short hairs as an alternative to pomade. When the hair dried, it would stay up all day.
Alum's antibacterial properties contribute to its traditional use as an underarm deodorant. It has been used for this purpose in Europe; Mexico; Thailand, where it is called Sarn-Som; throughout Asia; and in the Philippines, where it is called Tawas. Today, potassium alum is sold commercially for this purpose as a "deodorant crystal," often in a protective plastic case.
Medicinal
Alum is used in many subunit vaccines as an adjuvant to enhance the body's response to immunogens. Such vaccines include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and DTaP.
Alum in powder or crystal form, or in styptic pencils, is sometimes applied to cuts to prevent or treat infection.
Powdered alum is commonly cited as a home remedy for canker sores.
Preparations containing alum are used by pet owners to stem bleeding associated with animal injuries caused by improper nail clipping.
Alum is listed as an ingredient of some brands of toothpaste or toothpowder.
Alum powder dissolved in 5 parts water has been used to shrink hemorrhoids and stop them from bleeding.
Culinary
Alum powder, found in the spice section of many grocery stores, may be used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain fruit and vegetable crispness.
Alum is used as the acidic component of some commercial baking powders.
Alum was used by bakers in England during the 1800s to make bread whiter.[1] In 1875, the Sale of Food and Drugs Act prevented this and other adulterations.
Flame retardant
Solutions containing alum may be used to treat cloth, wood, and paper materials to increase their resistance to fire.
Alum is also a component of foamite.
Alum is also used in fire extinguishers to smother chemical and oil fires.
Chemical flocculant
Alum is used to clarify water by neutralizing the electrical double layer surrounding very fine suspended particles, allowing them to flocculate (stick together). After flocculation, the particles will be large enough to settle and can be removed.
Alum may be used to increase the viscosity of a ceramic glaze suspension; this makes the glaze more readily adherent and slows its rate of sedimentation.
Alum is an ingredient in some recipes for homemade modeling compounds intended for use by children. (These are often called "play clay" or "play dough" for their similarity to "Play-Doh", a trademarked product marketed by American toy manufacturer Hasbro).
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Potassium alum is the common alum of commerce, although soda alum, ferric alum, and ammonium alum are manufactured.
Alum is also used in purification of drinking water in industries. In a holding tank, some alum (phitkari) is added to the water so that the negatively charged light colloidal parts stick together and get heavy (flocculate) when alum makes the colloidal particles neutralized by making its aluminum ions get loaded with the colloidal parts. When the colloidal parts get heavy they can be easily separated from the tank for further chlorination of water in the process of purification of water.
Cosmetic
Alum in block form (usually potassium alum) is used as a blood coagulant.
Styptic pencils containing aluminium sulfate or potassium aluminium sulfate are used as astringents to prevent bleeding from small shaving cuts.
Alum was used as a base in skin whiteners and treatments during the late 16th century. A recipe for one such compound was given thus:
"For the Freckles which one getteth by the heat of the Sun: Take a little Allom beaten small, temper amonst it a well brayed white of an egg, put it on a milde fire, stirring it always about that it wax not hard, and when it casteth up the scum, then it is enough, wherewith anoint the Freckles the space of three dayes: if you will defend your self that you get no Freckles on the face, then anoint your face with the whites of eggs." —Christopher Wirzung, General Practise of Physicke, 1654.
Alum may be used in depilatory waxes used for the removal of body hair, or applied to freshly waxed skin as a soothing agent.
In the 1950s, men sporting crewcut or flattop hairstyles sometimes applied alum to their front short hairs as an alternative to pomade. When the hair dried, it would stay up all day.
Alum's antibacterial properties contribute to its traditional use as an underarm deodorant. It has been used for this purpose in Europe; Mexico; Thailand, where it is called Sarn-Som; throughout Asia; and in the Philippines, where it is called Tawas. Today, potassium alum is sold commercially for this purpose as a "deodorant crystal," often in a protective plastic case.
Medicinal
Alum is used in many subunit vaccines as an adjuvant to enhance the body's response to immunogens. Such vaccines include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and DTaP.
Alum in powder or crystal form, or in styptic pencils, is sometimes applied to cuts to prevent or treat infection.
Powdered alum is commonly cited as a home remedy for canker sores.
Preparations containing alum are used by pet owners to stem bleeding associated with animal injuries caused by improper nail clipping.
Alum is listed as an ingredient of some brands of toothpaste or toothpowder.
Alum powder dissolved in 5 parts water has been used to shrink hemorrhoids and stop them from bleeding.
Culinary
Alum powder, found in the spice section of many grocery stores, may be used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain fruit and vegetable crispness.
Alum is used as the acidic component of some commercial baking powders.
Alum was used by bakers in England during the 1800s to make bread whiter.[1] In 1875, the Sale of Food and Drugs Act prevented this and other adulterations.
Flame retardant
Solutions containing alum may be used to treat cloth, wood, and paper materials to increase their resistance to fire.
Alum is also a component of foamite.
Alum is also used in fire extinguishers to smother chemical and oil fires.
Chemical flocculant
Alum is used to clarify water by neutralizing the electrical double layer surrounding very fine suspended particles, allowing them to flocculate (stick together). After flocculation, the particles will be large enough to settle and can be removed.
Alum may be used to increase the viscosity of a ceramic glaze suspension; this makes the glaze more readily adherent and slows its rate of sedimentation.
Alum is an ingredient in some recipes for homemade modeling compounds intended for use by children. (These are often called "play clay" or "play dough" for their similarity to "Play-Doh", a trademarked product marketed by American toy manufacturer Hasbro).