Phosphate-free combinations of builders which contain zeolite, crystalline layer silicates of the formula (I): NaMsixO2x+1.yH2O, in which M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20, and polymeric polycarboxylates can be used separately as water softeners or in washing and cleaning agents. Their primary and secondary washing properties are so good that it is possible largely or completely to eliminate the use of phosphonates.
