Can I clean closet mold with bleach or call a pro?« Back to Previous Page
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My bedroom closet on the inside wall has these black splotches that I just noticed when I was putting away winter clothes. We've lived in this Marina apartment for two years and it's been fine, but I think the humidity from the last few weeks might have caused it. It's about the size of a dinner plate and the wall feels a bit damp. Is this something I can clean with bleach myself, or do I need to call a professional?
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It is not recommended to use bleach to clean the mold in your closet. While bleach can appear to remove the discoloration on non-porous surfaces, it is ineffective on porous materials like drywall and plaster, which is likely what your closet wall is made of. The chlorine in bleach cannot penetrate to kill the mold roots (hyphae) and its high water content can actually feed the residual mold, leading to a quicker and more aggressive regrowth. More critically, the dampness you feel indicates an active moisture issue that must be identified and resolved; otherwise, the mold will absolutely return.
Given your location in the Marina and the current humid conditions, this is a classic case of condensation mold. Our year-round AC use creates significant temperature differentials between cool interior walls and the humid outdoor air, leading to condensation, especially within poorly ventilated spaces like closets on external walls. The mold's presence and the damp wall suggest this is more than a surface-level issue. For a problem of this scale (a dinner-plate-sized area), a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess the moisture source and the potential extent of growth within the wall cavity. DIY attempts can inadvertently disturb the colony, releasing a high concentration of spores into your bedroom air. In the UAE, remediation should be performed by trained technicians using industry-standard protocols, such as those from the IICRC, to ensure it is done safely and effectively. For a proper assessment and remediation quote, I recommend you contact the experts at Saniservice. They can provide a thorough inspection and a certified solution. You can reach them at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or via email at hello@saniservice.com. |
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