Hi

I need to get hold of some allum powder but havnt a clue where to buy it from. Apparently its used for pickling. Any ideas pretty please ?

Cheers
Alex

Most chemists used to sell it.
Give them a ring first.


Things may have changed. I just called the wicker and they said they don't stock it any more!

Alex3horse

Try fibrecraft shops, Alum is used as a mordant in dyeing.

I have found a wholesaler. So if you draw blanks elsewhere, you can ask your local chemist to get it for you.

It is available in 500g quantities from

F. Maltby & Sons Ltd.
5 Proctors Road
Lincoln.
LN2 4LA
Tel: 01522 889889,

They will not sell direct to you but your chemist can get it for you.

... and it is spelt 'alum' (with one 'l') :thumbsup:

There is a supplier online. Google 'alum' or 'potash' which is its more common name. I use it for skin problems - mudfever/rainscald on my horses. It comes in crystal form.

Thanks to this thread I now know what allum is for! My only experience of it is from watching black and white slapstick films where someone like Stan Laurel would sprinkle it on a marshmallow which would inevitably be eaten by an authority figure, causing their mouth to shrink and rendering them incapable of speech.

Summer holday project for the brats.

Make a saturated solution and grow a crystal!!

If you can't find it anywhere else online try here: http://www.pmwoolcraft.co.uk/html/browse.php?CatID=24
He is very pleasant to deal with and you can either order onlie or by phone.

hi all

thanks for your help :)

I need it to help preserve my papier mache sculptures, as Im guessing they will all start falling apart over the years if I dont:o

Anyone know of anything else you can add to flour and water papier mache to make it more perminant?

Cheers
Alex