Can I clean apartment mold myself or hire professional?« Back to Previous Page

It depends on the size and type of mold. For a small patch (under one square meter) of common surface mold caused by recent humidity, you can clean it yourself. For the black spots spreading on your wall, especially with health symptoms present, a professional assessment is strongly recommended to identify the species and the moisture source.

In Dubai's climate, high indoor humidity and AC use create perfect conditions for mold behind furniture where air doesn't circulate. Bleach is not recommended; it's mostly water and can feed mold roots inside porous materials like drywall. Use a dedicated fungicidal cleaner or a solution of white vinegar and water, scrubbing the area thoroughly. However, cleaning is only a temporary fix if the underlying moisture issue isn't resolved.

Since your children are coughing, the mold could be releasing spores into the air. Disturbing it during cleaning without proper containment could worsen the problem. A professional inspection can determine if the mold has penetrated the wallboard, which is common here when condensation forms on cooler exterior walls. They use moisture meters to find the source and air sampling to identify spore types and concentrations.

For a situation with health impacts and recurring growth, hiring a certified remediation company is the safest course. They follow protocols to contain the area, remove contaminated materials safely, and ensure the space is properly dried to prevent regrowth. Look for providers who can show verifiable before-and-after lab results from an independent microbiology lab to confirm the environment has been returned to a healthy state.