How to treat mold in closet and check wall insulation?« Back to Previous Page

Clean the visible mold immediately with a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water. Scrub the area gently, let it sit for an hour, then wipe it dry. Do not use bleach, as it only removes the color and doesn't kill the root structure. After cleaning, run a dehumidifier or your AC on dry mode in the room to keep humidity below 60%, which is critical in our climate.

The black spots are a symptom of a larger problem, which is almost certainly condensation from the temperature difference between your air-conditioned room and the humid exterior wall. This is extremely common in Dubai villas. The mold you see is likely just the surface growth; the main colony could be inside the wall cavity if the insulation is compromised or non-existent.

You should absolutely have the wall insulation professionally inspected. This is not a DIY task. A proper inspection uses a borescope to look inside the wall and a moisture meter to quantify the dampness. Given the location and your children's symptoms, a surface cleaning is only a temporary fix. Persistent coughing can be a reaction to mold spores circulating from a hidden source in the wall. A certified mold inspector can assess the extent of the problem and identify the species, which determines the appropriate remediation method.