Sodium hexametaphosphate is a food additive and a softening agent for water and detergents. Sodium hexametaphosphate can also be found in leathers, pigments, and personal care products such as toothpaste. A significant use for sodium hexametaphosphate is as a deflocculant in the production of clay-based ceramic particles. It is also used as a dispersing agent to break down clay and other soil types. Sodium hexametaphosphate hydrolyzes in aqueous solution, particularly under acidic conditions, to sodium trimetaphosphate and sodium orthophosphate.