Mold on clothes in damp storage: DIY clean or call pro?« Back to Previous Page
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We've lived in our villa in Al Barsha for about five years, and I just pulled out the winter clothes from the storage room under the stairs and found a bunch of them covered in black and green mold spots. The room has felt damp for a while, but I didn't realize how bad it was until now. Is this something I can clean myself with bleach, or do I need to call a professional company for an assessment, and what's the typical cost range for that in Dubai?
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The mold on your clothes is a clear indicator of a persistent humidity problem in that enclosed space, which is extremely common in Dubai's climate. The storage room under the stairs likely has poor air circulation, allowing condensation and high relative humidity to build up, creating an ideal environment for mold growth.
For the clothes themselves, if the fabric is durable (like denim or cotton), you can attempt to clean it. A solution of white vinegar or a specialized mold-killing detergent is often more effective than bleach, which can damage fibers and doesn't prevent regrowth. Sun-drying them thoroughly is crucial. However, this only addresses the symptom. The core issue is the damp room. Cleaning the clothes without remediating the source will result in the mold returning. For a confined, damp space like this, a DIY approach is unlikely to solve the underlying humidity problem. A professional assessment is recommended to identify the moisture source—it could be condensation from AC ducts, a small plumbing leak, or simply the room being a natural humidity trap with no ventilation. A proper inspection involves using moisture meters and thermal imaging to pinpoint the problem, not just visual checks. The cost for a professional assessment varies based on the company's credentials and the inspection's comprehensiveness; it's an investment to correctly diagnose the issue rather than repeatedly treating the effect. Look for providers who can explain their diagnostic process and provide a clear, actionable report with findings. |
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