Mould Spray vs Vinegar: The Complete NZ Buying Guide

By Robyn, Founder of Cleansmart NZ · Last updated: August 2026

Purpose-made mould spray beats vinegar for anything visible or established, but vinegar holds its own on porous surfaces like wood, drywall and unsealed grout, where it can actually penetrate deeper than a hard-surface spray. Vinegar is commonly reported to handle most common household mould species when used correctly, though not all of them, and it usually needs several applications to get there. The right choice comes down to your surface and how established the mould already is; the table and sections below walk through both.

In This Article

• The Verdict: Mould Spray or Vinegar?
• What Type of Mould Remover Do You Actually Need?
• Is Mould Spray Safe to Use Indoors?
• How to Remove Mould from Fabric Blinds and Curtains
• How to Stop Mould Coming Back
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict: Mould Spray or Vinegar?

Neither one wins outright, it depends on the surface. Vinegar is mildly acidic and can penetrate porous materials like timber and unsealed grout better than a hard-surface spray, which is genuinely useful, but it's slower and often needs repeat applications. A dedicated mould spray works faster on non-porous surfaces like tiles and glass, and on fabric it's the safer choice since household bleach and generic sprays can damage colourfast curtains and blinds. Here's the full comparison:

What Type of Mould Remover Do You Actually Need?

Mould products aren't one-size-fits-all, and using the wrong one is the most common reason people are disappointed with the result. Before buying anything, work out what you're actually treating:

• Fabric, curtains, blinds, thermal drapes: needs a product specifically formulated for colourfast fabric, applied without scrubbing or taking curtains down.
• Hard indoor surfaces, tiles, grout, painted walls: needs a different, surface-specific approach; vinegar or a hard-surface product designed for that material, not a fabric spray.
• Outdoor surfaces, decking, paths, fences, roofs: needs a heavy-duty outdoor formula, not an indoor fabric spray or diluted vinegar.

Cleansmart's Curtain Mould Remover range is formulated specifically for curtains, fabric blinds and thermal drapes that are colourfast, it isn't a general all-surface spray, so it's worth checking your surface before you buy. For outdoor mould and moss on paths, decking or fences, our Moss and Mould Remover is the better fit.

Is Mould Spray Safe to Use Indoors?

Most household mould sprays, including Cleansmart's Curtain Mould Remover, are formulated to be safe for indoor use with normal precautions: good ventilation while spraying, gloves if you have sensitive skin, and keeping pets and children away from the treated area until it's dry. The product does have a noticeable smell during application, which is normal and settles once the area airs out.

If you have respiratory sensitivities, asthma, or are treating a large area, ventilate more than usual and treat one room at a time rather than the whole house in one session.

How to Remove Mould from Fabric Blinds and Curtains

For fabric blinds specifically, the process is very similar to curtains: check the fabric is colourfast by testing a hidden corner first, spray the affected area generously without soaking through to backing or hardware, and leave the product to work rather than scrubbing, since scrubbing can push spores deeper into the weave and damage the fabric surface. For a full step-by-step walkthrough (patch-testing, dwell time, drying), see our dedicated guide: How to Remove Mould from Curtains.

How to Stop Mould Coming Back

Removing visible mould treats the symptom, it keeps returning if the underlying moisture problem isn't addressed. The most effective long-term prevention steps are:

• Ventilate damp rooms daily, especially bathrooms and bedrooms with limited airflow, open windows or run an extractor fan.
• Leave a small gap between curtains or blinds and the window so air can circulate behind them.
• Wipe down condensation on windows and sills each morning during colder months.
• Use a dehumidifier in consistently damp rooms if ventilation alone isn't enough.
• Re-treat at the first sign of regrowth rather than waiting for it to spread, a quick top-up is far easier than a full clean.

If mould keeps returning within days or weeks despite regular cleaning and good ventilation, that usually points to an underlying leak, condensation problem, or inadequate extraction that needs addressing at the source, cleaning alone won't fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vinegar kill mould as well as a purpose-made spray?

Vinegar is commonly reported to handle most common household mould species when used correctly, and it can penetrate porous materials like wood and unsealed grout well. It's usually slower and needs more repeat applications than a dedicated mould spray, and isn't the best choice once mould is well established.

Is it safe to use mould spray indoors with kids or pets in the house?

Yes, when used as directed, ventilate the room while applying, and keep pets and children off the treated area until it's fully dry.

Can I use a fabric mould remover on bathroom tiles or grout?

Cleansmart's Curtain Mould Remover is formulated specifically for colourfast fabric, curtains, blinds and thermal drapes, rather than hard bathroom surfaces. If you're treating tiles or grout, look for a product designed for that surface.

How often should I treat curtains or blinds to stop mould coming back?

Re-treat at the first sign of regrowth rather than on a fixed schedule. In consistently damp rooms, a monthly check is a reasonable habit even if there's no visible mould yet.

Will mould spray damage coloured or patterned fabric?

Always patch-test a hidden corner first. Cleansmart's Curtain Mould Remover is formulated for colourfast fabrics, but individual dyes and fabric types vary, so a quick test avoids any surprises.