Ang sodium dodecyl sulfate ay may mahusay na detergency, emulsification at foaming power. Maaari itong magamit bilang mga pantulong na panlinis at tela. Ginagamit din ito bilang anionic surface activator, toothpaste foaming agent, fire extinguishing agent, fire extinguisher foaming agent, emulsion polymerizing emulsifier, shampoo at iba pang kosmetikong produkto, wool detergent at silk wool fine fabric detergent, flotation agent para sa metal mineral processing.