Could moldy clothes be causing my kids' cough?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing at night for the past month, and I’m starting to panic. I just pulled out a stack of winter clothes from the storage cupboard under our stairs in Jumeirah and found a bunch of them covered in black and green fuzzy spots. We had that one really humid week a while back and I think moisture got trapped in there. Could this mold be the reason for their coughs and what’s the safest way to clean everything without making them sick?
Posted by Omar Sharif
Asked on April 7, 2026 5:35 am
Based on your description, it is highly probable that the mold growth on the stored clothing is contributing to your children's persistent nighttime cough. The black and green fuzzy spots are indicative of common household molds like Aspergillus or Penicillium, which produce airborne spores and mycotoxins. When inhaled, these particles are significant respiratory irritants, especially for children, and can cause symptoms precisely like coughing, wheezing, and nasal congestion.

The climate in Dubai is a primary catalyst. The recent humid event you mentioned created a perfect microenvironment for mold in that enclosed, likely poorly ventilated storage cupboard. Year-round air conditioning can also contribute by creating cold surfaces where condensation forms if the space is not properly sealed or climate-controlled.

For your immediate safety, do not attempt to clean these items yourself. Disturbing the mold will aerosolize a high concentration of spores, drastically increasing inhalation exposure and potentially contaminating other areas of your home. The safest course of action is professional remediation.

We strongly recommend a certified mold inspection to assess the full extent of contamination within the cupboard and the adjacent walls. Our technicians use moisture meters, thermal imaging, and air quality testing to identify the source of moisture and the spore count levels. Based on the findings, a controlled remediation protocol is developed. For porous materials like textiles, specialized HEPA vacuuming and antimicrobial treatments are used on salvageable items, while heavily contaminated pieces must be safely discarded following UAE waste management guidelines.

For a thorough assessment and to ensure your family's health, please contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 9, 2026 6:24 am