Can I clean AC mold myself or call a professional?« Back to Previous Page

The AC unit in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment has been leaking a little bit into the closet for a couple of months now, and I just pulled out some winter clothes to find a bunch of black and green fuzzy spots all over a few of my sweaters. The area around the drip is always damp and smells really earthy. Is this something I can clean myself with bleach and vinegar, or do I need to call a professional company to deal with it?
Posted by Steven Torres
Asked on March 14, 2026 2:15 am
Based on the symptoms you've described—a persistent leak, visible black and green fuzzy growth, and that distinct earthy smell—you are almost certainly dealing with a significant mold colony. In the UAE's humid climate, AC leaks are a primary cause of mold issues in apartments, especially in enclosed spaces like closets.

While a small, surface-level spot might be addressed with a DIY approach, your case requires professional attention. The mold on your clothes is just the visible tip of the iceberg. The leak has likely saturated the building materials behind and beneath the closet (drywall, insulation, flooring), creating a large hidden reservoir of mold that you cannot effectively reach with consumer-grade cleaners like bleach or vinegar. These solutions only bleach the visible color and do not address the root cause or kill the spores embedded in porous materials. Improper cleaning can actually aerosolize spores, spreading the contamination throughout your apartment.

Furthermore, Dubai Municipality has strict health and safety regulations (UAE.S 5019:2015) governing indoor air quality and mold remediation in residential buildings to protect occupant health. A certified professional inspection is crucial to assess the full extent of the damage, identify the moisture source (often a clogged condensate drain line), and execute a compliant remediation plan that includes containment, HEPA filtration, and proper disposal of contaminated materials.

For a situation of this duration and severity, we strongly recommend you call a professional. Please contact our team for a comprehensive inspection and quote. Call 800-MOLDS or 800-66537, or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 15, 2026 3:34 am