Mold behind wardrobe in humid weather: DIY or call management?« Back to Previous Page

The wall behind our bedroom wardrobe in Jumeirah has started showing these black and green patches. It’s been getting worse since the humidity spiked a couple of weeks ago, and now our whole room smells damp and earthy. We’ve lived here for 2 years and just noticed it when we moved the furniture to clean. What's the best way to handle this ourselves, or should we call our building management first?
Posted by Giovanni De Jong
Asked on April 8, 2026 3:40 am
The mold behind your wardrobe is a classic symptom of Dubai's high humidity and condensation, especially on exterior walls where cold AC meets warm, moist air. This trapped moisture creates an ideal environment for mold growth.

For a small patch (under one square meter), you can attempt DIY. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Wipe the area with a diluted detergent solution, then a mixture of one part white vinegar to four parts water. Dry the area thoroughly with a fan—moisture is the real enemy. However, given the damp smell permeating the room, the visible patch is likely just the tip of the issue. Mold thrives inside wall cavities, and the wall itself may be retaining significant moisture.

You should notify your building management or landlord immediately. Under Dubai's rental laws, structural issues like persistent dampness originating from the building envelope are typically the landlord's responsibility to rectify. They need to investigate and fix the root cause, which could be an external water leak or inadequate insulation. Simply cleaning the surface will not prevent it from rapidly returning.

For a problem of this nature, a professional inspection is strongly recommended to assess the full extent and identify the moisture source. A proper assessment, often involving moisture meters and thermal imaging, can determine if the wall needs specialized drying or remediation to prevent structural damage and potential health impacts from prolonged spore exposure.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 9, 2026 1:42 am