10 Ways to Use Alum Powder in Your Daily Routine

Alum powder has multiple uses that can be incorporated into your daily or weekly routine. 

In this category, Linda’s Natural Beauty Tips, I discuss beauty hacks and home hacks that save you time and money. 

In the blog post I posted last year, I mentioned alum powder. I will now expand in this blog post on its many uses.

Alum powder consists of a mineral compound, primarily potassium aluminum sulfate.

This powder can be used as an astringent and is wonderful for cosmetics and crafts.

This miracle powder is a retro appeal and changing lives again in 2026. 

The majority of people mainly know this for pickling, but it can be used for multiple purposes, which I will describe below. 

Some of them are for beauty or home maintenance routines. Keep reading to discover the wonders of alum powder and how it can help you and your family.

Pst: Number 10 is the number one way I use alum powder!

This page contains affiliate links, and I earn a commission if you purchase through one of the links at no cost to you. 

Top 10 Uses for Alum Powder

1. The Ultimate Natural Deodorant

• How it works: Alum is an astringent and antimicrobial. It doesn’t stop sweat, but it kills the bacteria that cause odor. By incorporating this into your daily routine, you will discover fresher underarms. No longer will you have to hide in a sweater or be embarrassed by your armpits.
• How to use: Apply a pinch of powder (or a dissolved solution) to the underarms. Ensure that your armpits are freshly washed and dry before applying the alum. That’s it!

2. Achieving the Perfect “Crunch” in Pickles

• The Classic Use: Many users enjoy using alum powder because it firms up the pectin in vegetables. Alum powder works best for firming fermented pickles, but is less effective for quick pickles.
• Look for aluminum potassium sulfate in the spice aisle or online. Dissolve the measured alum in a small amount of the brine or water before adding to the jar. Add the dissolved alum mixture to your jar with cucumbers and other ingredients before adding the hot brine and processing, or pre-soak cucumbers in an alum-water solution.
• Remember, a little goes a long way! ¼ of a teaspoon usually does the trick.

3. Alum Powder for Aftershave and Razor Burn Treatment

• The Benefit: Its antiseptic properties stop minor bleeding from nicks and soothe irritation. Since alum powder is a natural mineral, it is alcohol, free and helps to disinfect, tighten pores, and soothe razor burns. 
• Another bonus is that it stops minor bleeding by constricting blood vessels, acting as a natural antiseptic and astringent.
• How to use: Rub a small amount of alum solution on the face post-shave. You should feel the soothing effects immediately!

4. Natural Water Purification (The Survivalist Hack)

• The Science: Alum powder acts as a flocculant, causing clear water to be at the top. This is a process called sedimentation. It leaves the water that is clear on top and can then be filtered for safe drinking.
• Being able to purify your own water is a wonderful process that can be beneficial for you and your family in case of emergencies.
• Context: Great for camping or emergency kits (must be followed by boiling). For your next camping trip, grab a can of Alum powder!

5. Canker Sore Relief and Gingivitis

• The Remedy: Alum powder helps dehydrate the sore and speeds up healing. Because of its astringent properties, it helps to dry out sores, reduce pain, and speed healing.
• This is often applied as a paste with water for about a minute before rinsing. Be mindful that this can cause a stinging sensation.
• You can also use this for one week to help heal gums and conditions like gingivitis. Incorporate a little salt into a pinch of alum powder and warm water. Swish this solution in your mouth to help heal your gums. Do not use daily!
• Ensure to rinse thoroughly when you’re done with the treatment.
• Cautionary Note: Alum stings! Applying it directly to the sore for 60 seconds is the best method, and then proceed with rinsing.

6. Homemade Crystal Growing with Alum Powder (The Science Project)

• The Fun Factor: Alum powder is the best material for growing large, clear “geode” crystals at home. The way to create this is by using a hot water solution, creating a supersaturated solution with hot water, and letting it cool to form seed crystals. Afterwards, suspend the chosen seed and fresh solution to grow large, clear crystals over time.
• You can use a method like covering the jar and avoiding disturbances. 
• The materials you will need are alum powder, hot water, a jar of filter jar, fishing line, and a pencil to create a basic crystal garden for a single large crystal.
• Angle: This is a great activity for kids or DIY home decor. Looking for more activities? Click here!

7. Fire Retardant for Fabric

• The Practicality: Soaking paper or certain fabrics in an alum solution can slow the spread of flames. To use this method, soak the material in a hot water solution. 
• This leaves a residue that inhibits flames, but it’s not permanent in these applications after washing.
• It is essential to use food-grade pure elements for safety, and be aware that I can stiffen the fabric.
• Use case: Alum powder is often used in costume making or DIY decorations.

8. Foot Odor and Athlete’s Foot Prevention

• The Benefit: Are you having problems with foot odor? Alum powder helps by keeping feet dry and killing fungal bacteria.
• This is due to a test in antibacterial properties that controls more and eliminates odor-causing bacteria.
• How to use: A sprinkle in shoes or a foot soak. Dust clean, dry feet, and the inside of the shoes with a small amount of alum powder. Aim to focus on the toes, which will help prevent moisture in bacteria.

9. Alum Powder for Snail Control in Aquariums

• The Niche Use: Did you know that Alum powder controls snails and pests in aquariums? 
• A quick dip in an alum solution can clear aquarium plants of unwanted snail eggs before they are added to a tank.
• It creates an environment that is toxic to snail eggs and small pests, which causes them to detach or die.
• It also helps as a mild disinfectant for aquarium plants.
• How to use: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of gallon powder and 1 gallon of water, using one to 2 teaspoons for disinfectant of plants.
• For pests, use the same method for the plants.
• Ensure that you do not add this to an established aquarium with fish. After 8 to 24 hours, do a complete water change of your aquarium.

10. Tightening Skin and Reducing Oily Shine

• Beauty Hack: This is my favorite beauty hack method of using Alum powder for skin. You can achieve a clear skin type, pores, and overall smooth skin. 
• You can use this as a facial toner to minimize the appearance of pores and control sebum.
• How to use: For skin tightening, use alum powder by mixing it with rose or plain water to form a paste or toner. Apply this paste to clean skin and let it dry for 10 to 20 minutes to tighten pores. Lastly, rinse with cool water and follow up with moisturizer.
• Caution: Alum powder can be very drying, which leverages its natural astringent properties to firm skin and reduce pore appearance.

Let’s move on to some safety and precautions that will help you ensure that you use your Alum powder safely and correctly.

Safety and Precautions

• Ingestion: I would like to clarify that while it is “food grade” for pickling, it should not be eaten in large quantities.
• Skin Sensitivity: Next, I always recommend a patch test for topical use.
• Quality Matters: Lastly, remember to buy “Potassium Alum” rather than “Ammonium Alum” for skin use.

Conclusion

There you have it! These are ten incredible and powerful ways you can use alum powder daily or weekly. 

This budget-friendly plastic-free alternative to dozens of drug store products will save money in your wallet.

Start the new year right and incorporate alum powder into your daily routine!

Looking for more natural beauty tips? Click here to learn more useful tips!

Lastly, are there any uses that you’ve inherited from using alum powder hacks from grandparents or family members?

I would love to hear. Let’s connect!

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