Can I clean black mold myself or need a pro?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in my apartment seems to be leaking a little water onto the wall behind the guest room wardrobe, and I just pulled it away to find a patch of black mold about the size of a dinner plate. It’s been extra humid lately and I’m worried it’s spreading. Is this something I can clean myself with bleach from the supermarket, or do I need to call a professional cleaning company in Dubai to handle it properly?
Posted by Thomas Thompson
Asked on March 25, 2026 5:19 pm
Based on the description of your situation, you are dealing with a scenario that strongly warrants professional intervention. The presence of black mold behind a wardrobe, caused by an AC leak, is a symptom of a more significant issue. In Dubai's high-humidity climate, AC units are critical for controlling moisture, and a leak indicates a malfunction that requires correction to prevent immediate regrowth, even if the visible mold is cleaned.

While a small, surface-level patch on a non-porous material might sometimes be addressed with a detergent solution (we never recommend bleach as it is ineffective on porous surfaces and can pose health risks), your case has several red flags. The location—behind furniture—suggests the colony has been growing undisturbed, potentially penetrating the wallboard or plaster. Disturbing it during a DIY cleaning attempt will aerosolize a high concentration of spores, contaminating your apartment's air and potentially spreading the problem to your HVAC system. Furthermore, the root cause, the AC leak, must be diagnosed and repaired by a certified HVAC technician.

UAE regulations and best practices for indoor environmental quality emphasize proper containment and removal to protect occupant health. Our certified mold inspectors use moisture meters and thermal imaging to determine the full extent of the water damage and hidden mold growth, which is almost always larger than what is visible. Remediation then involves engineering controls like negative air pressure and HEPA filtration to safely remove the contaminated material and spores from the air.

For a proper assessment and a guaranteed solution, we recommend you call our specialists at Saniservice on 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We will identify the source, contain the affected area, and ensure it is remediated to a safe, healthy standard.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 27, 2026 7:57 am