Glauber's Salt

GLAUBER'S SALT: Na₂O₄S.10H₂O

Description: Alkali modifier of white or colorless crystalline granules or powder. Isolated by Johann Rudolph Glauber (1604-68); possibly in use by dyers much earlier but not by this name.
Other Names: Glaube, glauberrite (sodium sulfate + lime), mirabilite, salt cake, Scotch soda (50% Glaubersalt), sodium sulfate decahydrate, thenardite
Dye Use: Leveling agent, dye extender, makes acid dyes give color more evenly, helps keep dyes from fading, increases blue color, makes deeper colors
Best On: Cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, etc
Dye Recipe: 1 tbsp in 1 gal water, simmer 20 min with fiber to prevent streaking. To even out colors, add 1/2 cup. Simmer at least 1 hr or until shades are more uniform. Add a little sour water (dilute sulfuric acid) to make fiber absorb more color or to make a weak dye give more color.
Safety: Corrosive in water, eye and respiratory tract irritant
Disposal: Pour down sink or toilet
Alternative: Salt + sulfuric acid or sour water
Source: Griffin Dyeworks

CODES: c = cup; gal = gallon; lb = pound (weight); tbsp = Tablespoon; tsp = teaspoon / [AF] Anglo-French; [Ar] Arabic; [AS] Anglo-Saxon; [Dan] Danish; [Du] Dutch; [Fr] French; [Ger] German; [Gk] Greek; [It] Italian; [L] Classical Latin; [LL] Late Latin; [ME] Middle English; [ML] Modern Latin; [OE] Old English; [OF] Old French; [ON] Old Norse; [OS] Old Saxon; [Port] Portuguese; [Sp] Spanish; [Sw] Swedish / CE = Common Era; BCE = Before Common Era

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