My bathroom faucet had developed a white crust around the base that looked like mineral stalactites were forming. Scrubbing did nothing. I tried a commercial lime remover that smelled like a chemistry lab and made my eyes water. It worked, kind of, but the smell lingered for days.

Then someone told me about the vinegar bag trick. The supplies cost pennies. I felt like I’d been let in on a secret that should have been obvious.

Why vinegar works

Hard water stains are calcium and magnesium deposits — basically, rock. Vinegar is acetic acid. Acid dissolves calcium. That’s the whole science. You’re using salad dressing to dissolve tiny rocks. The weaker the acid, the longer it takes, which is why soaking works better than wiping.

The bag method

Fill a plastic sandwich bag about halfway with white vinegar. Pull the bag up over the faucet so the stained areas are submerged. Secure it with a rubber band around the neck of the faucet. Leave it for at least an hour — overnight for heavy buildup.

When you remove the bag, the crust should wipe away with a cloth or an old toothbrush. For stubborn spots, sprinkle a little baking soda on the toothbrush for gentle abrasion. The combination of acid soak plus mild scrubbing handles almost everything.

For flat surfaces

For countertop stains around the base of the faucet, soak paper towels in vinegar and lay them over the stained area. The towels hold the vinegar against the surface instead of it running off. Leave for an hour, then wipe.

Don’t use vinegar on natural stone — granite, marble, travertine. The acid will etch the surface and leave dull spots that can’t be repaired without professional refinishing. For stone, use a cleaner specifically labeled safe for natural stone.

Prevention

Wipe faucets dry after use. It takes five seconds and prevents mineral deposits from forming in the first place. I know it sounds fussy. I also know I haven’t had to do the vinegar bag soak in over a year since I started doing it.