How to safely clean black mold with kids' allergies?« Back to Previous Page

Okay, this is a serious situation, especially with the kids' health involved. First, stop and do not disturb the mold any further. Disturbing it without proper containment will release millions of spores into the air, which is exactly what will make their coughing worse.

Given the location (behind a wardrobe) and the ongoing allergy symptoms, there's a high probability the mold is more widespread than you can see, possibly in the wall cavity or the AC system itself, which is very common in our UAE humidity.

For a limited DIY attempt on a small, visible patch, here's the only method I'd cautiously recommend:

1. ISOLATE THE AREA: Seal the room from the rest of the villa. Close all doors and cover the air vents with plastic sheeting and tape.
2. PROTECT YOURSELF: You MUST wear an N95 respirator (not a simple dust mask), nitrile gloves, and sealed goggles.
3. CONTAINMENT: Mist the mold patch lightly with water from a spray bottle to suppress spores before you touch it.
4. CLEANING: Do NOT use bleach. It's ineffective on porous surfaces and can add harmful fumes. For a non-porous surface like painted wall, use a dedicated EPA-approved fungicide or a solution of white vinegar. Scrub gently.
5. DISPOSAL: Place all cleaning materials, and if possible, the moldy section of drywall itself, into a heavy-duty garbage bag, seal it tightly, and remove it from the house immediately.

However, with children's persistent health issues and the likelihood of a larger problem linked to your AC unit, this is not a DIY project. Improper cleaning will aerosolize the problem. The only way to ensure it's gone and the air is safe is through professional remediation, which includes containment, HEPA filtration, and identifying & eliminating the moisture source at its root.

You need a certified inspection to assess the full extent. Please, for your family's health, call us for a professional assessment. We can determine if it's contained or systemic.

Call 800-MOLDS or 800-66537 to schedule an inspection. We serve Mirdif and can identify that AC humidity issue.