Safest way to clean mold behind wardrobe immediately?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past two weeks, and I just found a patch of black, fuzzy-looking mold behind the wardrobe in their bedroom, which shares a wall with the main bathroom. We live in an older building in Bur Dubai and I'm worried the constant AC use is making the humidity worse. What's the safest way to clean this immediately to protect my family, and should I get a professional involved right away?
Posted by Jose Lopez
Asked on April 25, 2026 11:50 pm
First, isolate the area and keep children and pets away. For immediate cleaning of a small patch (under one square meter), wear an N95 mask, gloves, and eye protection. Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water. Do not use bleach, as it only removes the colour and can push spores deeper into porous surfaces like drywall.

Scrub the area gently with the vinegar solution using a disposable cloth, then dry it completely with a fan. The goal is to remove the visible growth and dry the area within 24-48 hours to prevent regrowth. However, given your location in an older Bur Dubai building and the proximity to a bathroom wall, this visible patch is likely a symptom of a larger moisture issue.

The constant AC use in Dubai creates significant condensation if units are not draining properly, and bathroom leaks behind walls are a common source of chronic dampness that DIY cleaning cannot address. For a situation involving children's health and suspected hidden moisture, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find the water source, which is the only way to achieve a long-term solution. In many cases, building management must be involved to rectify structural leaks.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 26, 2026 2:40 pm