While aluminum sulfate is predominantly recognized for its critical roles in water treatment and papermaking, its utility extends far beyond these primary applications. This versatile chemical finds significant use in a variety of other industrial sectors, demonstrating its broad applicability and value.

In the textile industry, aluminum sulfate serves as a vital mordant. A mordant is a substance used to fix dyes onto fibers, ensuring that colors remain vibrant and do not easily wash out. The aluminum hydroxide formed when aluminum sulfate dissolves helps to bind the dyes to fabric, enhancing colorfastness and the longevity of dyed textiles. This makes it an important component in textile processing and dyeing operations.

Furthermore, aluminum sulfate has applications in construction, where it is utilized for its waterproofing properties. When incorporated into concrete mixtures, it can help to reduce water permeability, contributing to more durable and water-resistant structures. In the realm of gardening, its acidic nature is leveraged for soil pH adjustment. For plants that thrive in acidic conditions, such as hydrangeas, adding aluminum sulfate to alkaline soils can alter the pH, promoting healthier growth and even influencing flower color in certain species.

The chemical's ability to precipitate proteins also lends it uses in the medical field, although often in specific formulations, and it has historical applications in food processing as a thickener and emulsifier. The broad spectrum of uses, from industrial manufacturing to agricultural applications, underscores the multifaceted nature and enduring relevance of aluminum sulfate in various commercial and domestic settings.