Softeners can be divided into inorganic and organic categories.
Inorganic softener
Important are phosphates, silicates and zeolites.
Organic water softener
Mainly imiline sulfonate, amino acid derivatives (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, disodium edetate, sodium nitrilotriacetate, etc.), hydroxy acid and its derivatives (sodium gluconate, sodium citrate, tartaric acid) Sodium, sodium carboxymethyl succinate, etc.), polymeric chelating agents (polyacrylic acid and its derivatives).