Editing Chelation (section)

=== Cleaning and water softening ===
A chelating agent is the main component of some rust removal formulations.
[[Citric acid#Cleaning and chelating agent|Citric acid]] is used to [[water softening|soften water]] in [[soap]]s and laundry [[detergent]]s. A common synthetic chelator is [[EDTA]]. [[Phosphonate]]s are also well-known chelating agents. Chelators are used in water treatment programs and specifically in [[steam engineering]].{{cn|date=September 2023}}  Although the treatment is often referred to as "softening", chelation has little effect on the water's mineral content, other than to make it soluble and lower the water's [[pH]] level.