How do I safely remove mold making my family sick?« Back to Previous Page

First, get everyone out of the immediate area and seal off the storage cupboard to prevent spores from spreading into your living space. The damp, earthy smell confirms active microbial growth, and the coughing is a common reaction to the spores now airborne in your home.

For your health and safety, do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold without proper containment will aerosolize a massive amount of spores, significantly worsening your family's exposure and symptoms. This is a job for professionals with the correct PPE, containment barriers, and HEPA filtration equipment.

In Dubai's climate, the high humidity and constant AC use create ideal conditions for mold in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces like under-stair cupboards. The problem is likely more extensive than what's visible on the surfaces. A certified mold inspector can use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the moisture source—often condensation from an AC duct or a minor pipe leak—and assess the full extent of the growth inside walls or under flooring.

The fastest way to resolve the health issue is a two-step process: first, a professional inspection and air quality testing to identify the mold types and spore concentration levels. This provides a clear remediation plan. Second, a certified remediation team will safely remove the contaminated materials, clean the area with antimicrobial solutions, and use air scrubbers to remove spores from your home's air.

Until professionals arrive, increase ventilation in your home by running exhaust fans and keep the AC on to help control humidity levels.