Found mold in damp closet; call professional or DIY?« Back to Previous Page

Given the damp wall and the strong smell, this is likely a serious moisture issue. The combination of Dubai's high humidity and a poorly ventilated, cold surface (like an AC-chilled closet wall) creates the perfect environment for mold. Your children's persistent coughing could very well be a reaction to the elevated spore count.

For your safety, do not attempt to clean the moldy clothes or shoes yourself. Disturbing it will release a large number of spores into your apartment's air. Seal the contaminated items in plastic bags until they can be professionally assessed and cleaned or discarded.

A DIY approach is not recommended here. The visible growth on your belongings indicates a significant colony, and the damp wall suggests an ongoing moisture problem that must be identified and resolved. Surface cleaning with bleach or vinegar will not address the root cause and is ineffective on porous materials like drywall and fabric.

You should call a professional indoor environmental company. The process should start with a proper inspection to identify the moisture source—it could be condensation from an AC duct, a hidden pipe leak, or penetrating dampness. Remediation involves containing the area, safely removing contaminated porous materials (like the affected drywall), HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment. A company with its own microbiology lab can also take air and surface samples to identify the mold type and verify that spore levels have returned to normal after remediation, which is crucial for your family's health.