decalcifying
Stripping calcium buildup
Decalcifying is removing calcium deposits from something.
Water heaters, coffee makers, and pipes accumulate mineral buildup that must be decalcified periodically: I'm decalcifying the espresso machine with vinegar.
In medical contexts, decalcifying refers to calcium loss from bones or teeth, whether deliberate (preparing tissue samples) or pathological.
Dissolves mineral deposits
- vinegarAcidic cooking liquid
- chelationChemical metal-ion capture
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- phosphatePO₄ ion compound
demineralization · etching · solvent · soaking · rinsing
Measure of relative size
- limescaleMineral buildup from water
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- residueMatter left behind
- crustHard outer layer
sediment · encrustation · film · chalky
Spouted vessel for heating water
- coffee-makerAppliance that brews beans
- dishwasherAppliance that cleans cookware
- showerheadPerforated bathing nozzle
- faucetValve controlling water flow
boiler · humidifier · iron · pipes · aerator
descaler
Dissolves mineral deposits
phosphate · demineralization · etching · solvent · soaking · rinsing
scale
Measure of relative size
crust · sediment · encrustation · film · chalky
kettle
Spouted vessel for heating water
- coffee-makerAppliance that brews beans
- dishwasherAppliance that cleans cookware
- showerheadPerforated bathing nozzle
decalcifyingcalcifying
Accumulating calcium deposits
mineralizing · remineralizing · hardening · ossifying · petrifying
calcium, calcify, calcified, calcite, calcification, calcic, decalcify, calcifies, calcifying