How to safely clean mold with kids at home?« 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 mold behind their bedroom wardrobe. We live in a villa in Al Barsha and I think it might be from a small leak in the AC unit that went unnoticed. What's the safest way to clean this myself before calling a professional, especially with the little ones around?
Posted by Mark Thompson
Asked on May 9, 2026 8:40 pm
Black mold in Dubai's climate often indicates a moisture problem, like the AC condensation leak you suspect. For a small patch behind furniture, you can clean it yourself with precautions, but the underlying leak must be fixed to prevent immediate return.

First, keep children and pets out of the room entirely. Open windows to ventilate the area. Wear an N95 mask, gloves, and eye protection. Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water or a diluted bleach solution (check manufacturer guidelines for the surface). Scrub the area thoroughly. Do not dry scrub, as this releases spores. After cleaning, allow the area to dry completely using a fan. Dispose of all cleaning materials in a sealed bag.

However, this addresses only the visible growth. The AC leak is the root cause. In Al Barsha's humidity, the moisture inside the wall cavity likely fostered more extensive mold growth you cannot see. For a situation involving children's health, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They use moisture meters and borescopes to assess the wall's interior and can perform air quality tests to identify spore types and concentrations. This data is crucial to understand the full scope and ensure the remediation is complete, not just superficial.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 9, 2026 10:26 pm