How to safely clean mold or call professional?« Back to Previous Page

Black mold growth behind furniture is common in Deira apartments due to high humidity and condensation from year-round AC use. For your family's safety, especially with children coughing, a professional assessment is strongly recommended. The type of mold must be identified to understand the health risk, and hidden moisture sources need to be found to prevent its return.

If the patch is small (under one square foot), you can clean it yourself with precautions. Wear an N95 mask, goggles, and gloves. Never use bleach; it doesn't kill mold and can add moisture. Instead, use a dedicated mold cleaner or a solution of white vinegar and water. Scrub the area on the wall and the back of the toy chest, then dry it completely with a fan. Discard any porous items like cardboard or damaged toys that cannot be thoroughly cleaned.

However, given the size you described ("huge patch") and the persistent health symptoms, this is likely beyond a DIY fix. Disturbing a large colony can aerosolize a high concentration of spores throughout your apartment, potentially worsening your kids' coughing. A professional remediation company will contain the area, use HEPA filtration to clean the air, and, crucially, identify and address the root cause of the moisture, which is often a hidden leak or insufficient ventilation. They should also be able to recommend a lab test to confirm the mold type, which is valuable information for your family's health.