What is "potassium alum"

n. a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the potassium double sulfate of aluminum [syn: alum, potash alum]

Potassium alum, potash alum, or potassium aluminum sulfate is a chemical compound: the potassium double sulfate of aluminium. Its chemical formula is KAl(SO) and it is commonly found in its dodecahydrate form as KAl(SO)·12HO. Alum is the common name for this chemical compound, given the nomenclature of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate. It is commonly used in water purification, leather tanning, dyeing, fireproof textiles, and baking powder. It also has cosmetic uses as a deodorant, as an aftershave treatment and as a styptic for minor bleeding from shaving.