Treat black mold in closet ourselves or call professional?« Back to Previous Page
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We've lived here for 2 years and just noticed a patch of black mold in the corner of our master bedroom closet, behind the clothes. It must have been there a while because our winter blankets stored on the top shelf have a really strong, damp smell. What is the most effective way to treat this ourselves, or should we just call a professional company right away?
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The damp smell on your blankets confirms this is an active moisture issue, not just surface dust. In Dubai's climate, this is almost certainly due to condensation from the AC or a small, hidden leak.
For a patch smaller than one square meter, you can attempt treatment yourself. First, move everything out and identify the moisture source. Clean the area with a detergent solution, then use a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to four parts water) or a dedicated mold remover. Dry it completely with a fan. Discard any porous, smell-absorbing items like the blankets, as the spores and odour are deeply embedded. However, given the location behind clothes and the persistent damp smell indicating a long-term issue, a professional inspection is strongly advised. The visible patch is often just the tip of the iceberg; the mould can spread inside the wall or under the flooring. DIY cleaning addresses the surface but often misses the root cause. A certified inspector uses moisture meters and borescopes to find the hidden source of water and can take air or surface samples for lab analysis to identify the species, which dictates the proper remediation protocol. This is crucial for ensuring it doesn’t return. |
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