Black mold in closet: remove myself or call professional?« Back to Previous Page

The black spots spreading in your closet are a classic sign of a humidity-driven mold issue, very common here due to our high ambient moisture combined with year-round AC use creating condensation. Your husband's persistent stuffy nose is a legitimate concern, as this type of constant low-level exposure to mold spores can irritate the respiratory system and worsen allergy symptoms.

For a contained area like a closet, you can attempt to clean it yourself if the affected area is small (less than one square meter) and you are in good health. First, wear an N95 mask, gloves, and safety glasses. Move all clothing and items out, then clean the hard surfaces with a detergent solution. Avoid bleach; it doesn't prevent regrowth and can damage materials. The critical step is to identify and address the moisture source. In a closet, this is often condensation from an exterior wall (common in older Dubai buildings) or a small AC leak dripping into the void.

However, given that it's behind items and has been spreading for some time, the mold growth is likely more extensive than it appears on the surface. It may have penetrated the drywall or insulation. DIY cleaning often fails to address this hidden growth, leading to quick recurrence.

For a persistent issue like this, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. They use moisture meters and borescopes to assess the full extent behind the wall. In Dubai, the responsibility typically falls to the unit owner, not building management, unless the moisture source is proven to be from a central AC system or a building envelope leak. A reputable inspector will help you determine the source's origin.

A proper remediation company will isolate the area, remove contaminated porous materials like damaged drywall, and use HEPA filtration to capture spores. The final proof is a clearance test to confirm spore counts are back to normal levels. This diagnostic approach is the only way to ensure the problem is solved for good and to verify your indoor air quality is safe.