How to treat closet mold and prevent its spread?« Back to Previous Page
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My bedroom closet in my Marina apartment has started smelling really damp, and I just found a few small black spots on a leather bag I stored in there. We keep the AC running most of the time, but the humidity has been brutal this summer. What’s the best way to treat this and prevent it from spreading to my clothes?
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First, remove the affected bag and any other items from the closet. For the leather, wipe it down with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water; test on an inconspicuous spot first. Clean the closet's interior surfaces with a mixture of water and a small amount of detergent or a dedicated mould-cleaning product. Ensure everything is completely dry before returning items.
The damp smell and spots are classic signs of high humidity condensing in an enclosed space, a very common issue in Dubai apartments. Even with AC running, closets against exterior walls can be cooler than the room, causing moisture in the air to condense and promote mould growth. To prevent recurrence, improve air circulation. Leave the closet doors ajar and avoid overpacking items. Consider using a compact, renewable desiccant dehumidifier inside the closet. For the room itself, ensure your AC unit is set to a consistently low humidity level; many modern systems have a "dry" mode specifically for this. If the mould returns quickly after cleaning or covers a larger area (more than one square meter), the issue may be more systemic. In such cases, a professional inspection can identify if there's a hidden source of moisture or if the AC system itself is contributing to the problem through its condensate drain line or internal evaporator coils. |
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