Which type of cleaner removes mineral deposits?

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Mineral deposits form when inorganic salts like calcium carbonate build up on surfaces, and removing them is most effective when the cleaner can dissolve those salts. Acid cleaners do this by supplying hydrogen ions that react with the mineral deposits to form soluble salts and gases, so the buildup breaks apart and rinses away. A classic example is using an acid cleaner or vinegar on lime scale, which works because calcium carbonate reacts with acid to produce soluble calcium salts and CO2. Detergents tackle oily or organic soils by lowering surface tension and emulsifying fats, not by dissolving mineral salts. Abrasive cleaners rely on physical scrubbing to wear away deposits but don’t chemically dissolve the mineral, and solvent cleaners dissolve organic compounds rather than mineral salts. So for mineral deposits, acids are the best choice because they chemically dissolve the inorganic scale.