How to safely remove mold from my Dubai apartment?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop and getting headaches for the past month, and I’m starting to panic. I just pulled our sofa away from the wall in our Deira apartment and found a huge patch of black and green mold spreading behind it, probably from a slow AC leak we never noticed. What is the safest and most effective way to get this professionally removed without risking our health further?
Posted by Betty Martin
Asked on May 12, 2026 11:45 pm
Stop all DIY attempts immediately. With children showing symptoms and a large, hidden growth, this requires professional remediation to prevent spore dispersal. In Dubai's high humidity, mold behind furniture from an AC leak is common and spreads rapidly.

Evacuate the area and close the door to contain it. Do not use a fan or attempt to spray bleach, as this aerosolizes spores. The priority is identifying and fixing the moisture source—a certified HVAC technician must inspect and repair the AC leak first, or the mold will return.

For remediation, hire a company that follows IICRC S520 standards for mold removal. They should use negative air pressure containment (plastic sheeting barriers) and HEPA-filtered air scrubbers to prevent cross-contamination. All porous materials like the sofa and possibly the drywall will need to be safely bagged and disposed of. The actual cleaning should be done with HEPA vacuuming and antimicrobial agents, not just wiping.

After remediation, request a clearance test from an independent third-party to verify spore counts are back to normal indoor levels. This is a critical step for health assurance. For any hidden growth exceeding one square meter, and with residents experiencing symptoms, professional intervention is strongly advised to resolve this safely.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 13, 2026 2:41 am