Usage Note
entkalken refers to removing limescale deposits from appliances (kettle, coffee machine, shower head) or surfaces. Hard water (hartes Wasser) makes this a regular household task, especially in southern Germany and Austria.
Examples
"Die Kaffeemaschine sollte man alle zwei Monate entkalken."
Natural Translation
The coffee machine should be descaled every two months.
Literal Translation
The coffee-machine should one every two months descale.
Free starter pack
Building your German vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
- Abfluss drain, plug hole
- Abflussreiniger drain cleaner
- Abzieher squeegee, floor wiper
- Allzweckreiniger all-purpose cleaner, multipurpose cleaner
- Besen broom
- Einzugsreinigung move-in cleaning, pre-tenancy clean
- Entkalkungsmittel descaler, decalcifying agent
- Essigwasser vinegar water (cleaning solution of vinegar and water)
Explore German by topic
