Sodium hydrosulfite is widely used as reducing agent due to its properties to react with oxygen.
It is used in textile industry, pulp and paper industry, as a reducing agent in manufacturing of vat dyes and sulfur containing dyes and removal of pigment and textiles.
It is used as oxygen scavenger in boilers , for preservation and water treatment to remove iron stains on cultural artifacts.
It is used as an additive in kraft pulping to improve yield.