Is damp mold behind wardrobe making my family sick?« Back to Previous Page

Damp mold behind a wardrobe can certainly cause the symptoms you're describing, particularly coughing and respiratory irritation in children. The damp wall indicates an ongoing moisture problem, which is the primary concern. In Dubai's humid climate, this is often caused by condensation from air conditioning units or a small, hidden plumbing leak.

You should not clean this with bleach. Bleach only removes surface discoloration on non-porous materials and does not address the mold roots within the wall. More importantly, it poses a respiratory hazard in an enclosed space and can release harmful fumes.

For a large, damp patch, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. The inspector will use a moisture meter to find the water source—this is the critical first step. Without fixing the leak or condensation issue, the mold will return. They can also take a sample for lab analysis to identify the mold species, which determines the appropriate remediation protocol.

In the meantime, improve ventilation in the room. Keep the AC running to control humidity and move the wardrobe away from the wall to allow air to circulate. Do not attempt to scrub the area, as this will release a high concentration of spores into the air your family breathes. The priority is identifying and stopping the moisture intrusion; the cleaning protocol depends on what that investigation finds.