Found dangerous mold behind furniture. How to clean safely?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for a couple of weeks and I'm starting to panic. I just pulled our large wooden dresser away from the wall in our Sharjah apartment and found a huge patch of black, fuzzy mold spreading behind it, probably from the humidity. The wall actually feels damp to the touch. What's the safest and fastest way to clean this to protect my family, and should I get a professional to test it?
Posted by Mohammed Malik
Asked on May 1, 2026 4:30 pm
Do not attempt to clean it yourself. The presence of dampness in the wall indicates an active moisture source, and the mold growth is likely more extensive inside the wall cavity. Disturbing it will release a high concentration of spores into your apartment's air, which can significantly worsen respiratory issues like the coughing you've described.

For your family's safety, the immediate steps are to isolate the area and address the humidity. Move the dresser and keep children away from the room. Increase ventilation by running exhaust fans and your AC on dry mode to lower indoor humidity, which is a primary driver of mold in UAE homes. The damp wall suggests a possible condensation issue from the external wall or a hidden leak.

Professional assessment is strongly advised. A certified inspector can use moisture meters to find the water source and thermal cameras to see the full extent behind the wall. They will take samples for a microbiology lab to identify the mold species, which is critical as some types common in the region's climate are more problematic than others. This evidence-based approach is the only way to know the actual risk and ensure the remediation plan targets the root cause, not just the visible growth.

Proper remediation involves containing the area with negative air pressure, safely removing contaminated materials like the damp drywall, and using HEPA filtration to clean the air. Once the source is fixed and the mold is removed, post-remediation verification testing confirms the space is safe. For respiratory symptoms, consulting a healthcare provider is also recommended.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 3, 2026 12:33 pm