Mold behind bedroom wardrobe: health risk for my son?« Back to Previous Page

The wall behind our bedroom wardrobe in our villa in Jumeirah has patches of black and green mold. We pushed the wardrobe out to find a cable and were shocked by what we saw. I'm really worried because my youngest son has been having allergy-like symptoms for the past month, and now I'm wondering if this is the cause. What's the best way to handle this properly—should we call the landlord first, or get a professional cleaning company in to assess it?
Posted by Sandra Taylor
Asked on March 25, 2026 1:34 pm
The mold growth you've discovered behind the wardrobe is a significant health and structural concern, particularly given the climate in Dubai. The combination of high ambient humidity and the potential for condensation from year-round air conditioning creates the perfect environment for mold to thrive on cold surfaces, especially those against exterior walls.

Your son's allergy-like symptoms—such as sneezing, coughing, or skin irritation—are a common reaction to mold spore exposure. Children are particularly susceptible. This is not something to treat with simple household cleaning, as disturbing the mold without proper containment will aerosolize the spores, spreading them throughout your bedroom and potentially worsening the health risks.

In the UAE, landlords are typically responsible for addressing the root cause of such issues, which is often a hidden water leak or severe condensation due to inadequate insulation. Your first step should be to notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with photographs. However, for a proper assessment of both the contamination and the moisture source, a professional inspection is critical.

We strongly recommend you contact a certified mold inspection and remediation company like Saniservice. Our experts use thermal imaging and moisture meters to identify the exact source of the moisture and conduct air and surface sampling to determine the species and concentration of mold, which is vital for understanding the health risk and planning the correct remediation strategy.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself. For a proper assessment and to safeguard your family's health, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 27, 2026 6:47 pm