Glauber's salt, also sal mirabilis, is the name of sodium sulfate decahydrate, Na₂SO₄•10H₂O. It is named after Johann Glauber, who discovered it in the 17th century. The white or colorless crystals were originally used as a laxative. Other uses include dyeing, frosting windows, heat storage in passive solar heating systems, wood digestion in the pulp industry, and detergents. About half of the world's production is from the natural mineral form - found in lake beds in southern Saskatchewan, for example, where it is also known as mirabilite; and half from by-products of chemical processes.

External link

"Sodium sulfate" on Saskatchewan Interactive