Black mold in damp closet: DIY clean or call professional?« Back to Previous Page

That description of black speckles on leather in a damp closet is a classic sign of a mold issue, made worse by Dubai's high humidity. The leather and the outside wall are likely creating a condensation point.

For a small, surface-level problem, a thorough DIY cleaning can be effective. Discard any porous, unsalvageable items like cardboard boxes. For hard surfaces and non-porous items, a solution of diluted white vinegar or a dedicated mold-cleaning product is safer and often more effective than bleach, which doesn't prevent regrowth. Scrub the entire closet interior, including walls and shelves. Dry everything completely with a fan and then run a dehumidifier in the room to maintain humidity below 60%.

However, you should call a professional for an inspection. The damp feeling and spread you describe suggest a potential moisture source behind the wall, like a tiny plumbing leak or insufficient insulation, which is common in exterior walls here. DIY cleaning will only address the visible mold, not the root cause, and it will return. A proper inspection uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the hidden source. If the affected area is larger than one square meter, professional remediation is the standard recommendation to ensure it's contained and properly removed.