Uses of Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate

Anhydrous sodium sulphate is mainly used in laundry detergents. In fact, in 2001, the use of anhydrous sodium sulphate was 1.6 million, out of which 80% was used for home laundry detergents, in Europe!

Another major use of sodium sulfate in U.S.A, is for manufacturing wood pulp, in the Kraft process.
It is also used for manufacturing textiles. As it helps in reducing negative charges on fibers, helping the dyes to penetrate evenly and thus helping in 'leveling'.

Anhydrous sodium sulphate is used in the glass industry. Not for producing glass, but for removing air bubbles from the molten glass. It also prevents scum formation of the glass as it fluxes the glass.

The other uses of anhydrous sodium sulphate include starch manufacture, in carpet freshers, in frosting windows, and also as an additive to cattle feed. Anhydrous sodium sulphate is also used in the laboratory, as an inert drying agent for organic solutions. In addition to all these uses, sodium sulphate is used in electronic and water treatment industry.

One of the latest usages of anhydrous sodium sulphate has been found. It has been discovered that anhydrous sodium can dissolve fine electroplated micrometer gold, which is found in electronic products such as connectors, switches, and pins.