descale
verb
de·scale
(ˌ)dē-ˈskāl 
descaled; descaling; descales
1
: to remove a coating, layer, or incrustation from : to free from scale (see scale entry 3 sense 3)
To descale the kettle, fill it with equal parts water and vinegar and let it soak for an hour before making sure it's been properly rinsed out.—
Sarra Gray
Sarra Gray2
: to remove scales (see scale entry 3 sense 1a) from
You can, of course, ask the fishmonger to gut and descale the fish for you.—Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Hugh Fearnley-WhittingstallExamples of descale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the Mini is easy to clean with mild soap and water, unlike some humidifiers that require special descaling solutions.
—Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 5 Oct. 2025
Follow the same steps above for descaling with citric acid, but substitute 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Not far away, a group of shirtless fishermen were chopping and descaling their catch around a table.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
This is especially important if your tap water has a high mineral content, but every machine should be descaled at least once a year.
—Pubsubhub User, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025
The removable top also provides easy access to the machine’s ice reservoir and water tank for occasional deep cleaning and descaling.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 20 June 2025
Deba Short, thick and weighty, Deba is designed for descaling and deboning fish, but also handy for poultry.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Repeat this step several times to flush out the descaling chemical or vinegar.
—Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025
How to descale your electric kettle with citric acid
Step 1: To descale a tea kettle (electric or not), simply fill it with clean water.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 25 Mar. 2025
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Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 5 Oct. 2025
Follow the same steps above for descaling with citric acid, but substitute 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Not far away, a group of shirtless fishermen were chopping and descaling their catch around a table.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
This is especially important if your tap water has a high mineral content, but every machine should be descaled at least once a year.
—Pubsubhub User, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025
The removable top also provides easy access to the machine’s ice reservoir and water tank for occasional deep cleaning and descaling.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 20 June 2025
Deba Short, thick and weighty, Deba is designed for descaling and deboning fish, but also handy for poultry.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Repeat this step several times to flush out the descaling chemical or vinegar.
—Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025
How to descale your electric kettle with citric acid
Step 1: To descale a tea kettle (electric or not), simply fill it with clean water.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/descale. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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