Use of crystalline layered sodium silicates for softening water and a process for softening water

A process for softening water containing calcium and/or magnesium ions and sodium ions and with a pH of about 8 to 12, which comprises adding to the water a crystalline layered sodium silicate having the composition NaMSi.sub.x O.sub.2x+1.yH.sub.2 O, in which M denotes sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20.

A process for softening water containing calcium- and/or magnesium ions, comprising the step of softening the water with a water softening agent comprising a crystalline sodium silicate having the composition NaMSi.sub.x O.sub.2x+1.yH.sub.2 O, in which M denotes sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20, said crystalline sodium silicate having an X-ray diffraction diagram which is published in the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standard under one of the following numbers:

• 18-1241, 22-1397, 22-1397 A, 19-1233, 19-1234, 19-1237, 23-529, 24-1123, 24-1123 A, 29-1261, 18-1242, 22-1395, 19-1235, 22-1396, 19-1236, 18-1240, 19-1232, 18-1239, 12-102, 23-703, 25-1309, 27-708 and 27-709.

A process for softening water containing calcium- and/or magnesium ions, comprising the step of softening the water with a water softening agent comprising a crystalline sodium silicate having the composition NaMSi.sub.x O.sub.2x+1.yH.sub.2 O, in which M denotes sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20, said crystalline sodium silicate having an X-ray diffraction reflection pattern which is shown in one of the Tables 1 through 7 of the specification.