How does Alum eliminate body odor?

How does Alum eliminate body odor?

Alum is a complex salt with main components aluminum and sulfate. The name Alum is derived from the Latin word “Alumen”, meaning an astringent substance. It can cause contractions and shrinkage.

Alum can be categorized into three types:

• Aluminum sulfate: white powder
• Potassium alum: clear colorless crystals
• Ammonium alum: clear colorless crystals

Each type can be utilized in the same manner.

Alum has the ability to completely eliminate body odors for long periods of time (up to 24 hours). Additionally, it can delay the formation of body odors for at least 10 hours. This is because alum can eliminate bacteria – the root cause of body odors. Alum does not absorb into the skin, thus will not be harmful or cause allergic reactions.

Alum is currently used in products that eliminate body odor and other smells. An example is in underarm deodorant, as alum does not cause skin discoloration.

Body odor fighting products can come in various forms, including stick, roll-on, and spray. Each form has different benefits and serves different purposes.

Which antiperspirant and deodorant is best?

Body odor fighting products can come in many forms, including powder, stick, spray, roll-on, and cream. Spray deodorants are convenient to use and dry quickly. Stick deodorants contain high concentration per volume and can cover large surface areas. This is well suited for those with higher levels of perspiration. Roll-on deodorants are easy to use and can be focused onto specific areas. Cream and powder deodorants are well suited for purposes where specific amounts need to be applied.

What should I know before purchasing a deodorant?

• In products that are not 100% alum, components of aluminum sulfate, potassium alum, ammonium alum should be maximized.
• The product quality, manufacturing date, and expiration date should be examined before purchasing roll-on, spray, and powder products.

While alum can eliminate body odors, it does not eliminate mold. Thus, showers are necessary in avoiding skin problems.

Using alum to cause sedimentation to purify water

Using alum to cause sedimentation to purify water

Alum can be added to reduce electric charge in liquids. Through the process of coagulation, large particles can be separated and removed from the liquid. 

Alum has the ability to destabilize suspended particles. This causes flocculation – a process where particles group together into larger solids and can be removed from the liquid.

Figure 1: Alum, when dissolved, creates positive charges that bond with suspended particles.

How to

1.Suspend the alum in water

Alum should be suspended 2/3 below the water surface until particles begin to flocculate and larger solids are formed. The amount of time this process takes depends on the nature and amount of liquid. A flashlight can be helpful in observing these solids.

2.Add alum solution

The alum solution should be added and mixed in with a mixer. The mixer should first be set at high speed for a brief period before being set at low speed. The solution should be mixed until particles flocculate into larger solid pieces. Once the mixing has stopped, these particles will settle at the bottom of the container as the solution is left to stand. The remaining clear water can be utilized.

Water purification using household items

Water purification using household items

The following outlines instructions for purifying liquid that are unclear, such as tap water that may have originated from bathrooms, trash, and industrial buildings. The water source must not be contaminated with chemicals or coloring.

Procedure

  1. Place the to-be-purified liquid in a container

       Sources of liquid include bathrooms, trash, and industrial buildings.

       These liquids must not have been contaminated with chemicals or coloring.

  2. Suspend the alum in the liquid

  

       Alum should be suspended until contaminants begin to coagulate. A flashlight can be helpful in observing these solids.

  3. Leave solution to dissolute

  

       After the alum is removed, the solution should stand for 20-30 minutes.

  4. Pour the liquid into another container

 

       This clear liquid is not yet disinfected.

  5. Kill germs/bacteria

  6. Clear water obtained
   

       This water can be used for various purposes such as bathing and laundry. This water cannot be consumed.

Uses of Alum

Uses of Alum

• Liquid purification by suspending the Alum in turbid liquids to cause flocculation of impurities.
• In bleaching and dyeing industries, Alum is used to help artificial colors attach bond to the material, hence allowing the finished product to have brighter colors and are more resistant to discoloration or fading.
• Odor elimination
• Maintain crispiness of foods, such as pickled vegetables
• Food preservation
• When making sticky rice, suspending the alum in the water can improve rice grain texture, coloration, and arrangement.

Types of Alum

Types of Alum

1. Aluminum Sulfate – an odorless, opaque white solid with an acidic, sour taste. It is neither hazardous nor creates residues. It is generally readily soluble and has a fairly high shelf-life.
2. Ammonium Alum – an odorless, clear crystal with an acidic, sour taste. It is neither hazardous nor creates residues. It has a high shelf-life and is readily soluble, especially in water.

Ammonium is added to crystalize and further purify the product. This is beneficial for industries requiring alum with high purity, such as in the production of high-quality paper and baking powder.

Alum is also essential both to our daily lifestyle, such as purifying tap water, and to manufacturing industries such as paper, baking soda, medicines, and material dyeing and bleaching.

Alum

Alum is a complex salt with main components aluminum and sulfate. Product forms can range from white powders to clear crystals.

Alum can act as a clarifying agent to clear up turbid liquids by removing the suspended solids that made the solution cloudy. Not only can clean water be obtained, but the remaining solids can be utilized as soil for aquatic plants.

Where does Alum come from?

• Nature: Alum can be extracted from the soil, especially in places with previous volcanic activity. In processes similar to those in the obtainment of rock salts, the soil is calcined (heated at high temperatures) before being exposed to water to extract the solid minerals. In Thailand, the natives refer to this soil as the “orange soil” and can be found in many areas – with the largest being Loei Province.
• Industrial Production: Quantities of naturally occurring Alum, however, are not sufficient to meet our needs, therefore processes were engineered to manufacture Alum. This can be done by utilizing natural elements containing high levels of aluminum. The combination of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), providing sources of sulfate and aluminum, respectively, can produce aluminum sulfate – better known as Alum.