Mold behind wardrobe: serious and need professional immediately?« Back to Previous Page

My kids' bedroom in our villa in Jumeirah has had this damp, earthy smell ever since the heavy dew season started a few weeks ago. I just pulled their wooden wardrobe away from the wall and found a bunch of black and green fuzzy patches spreading behind it. We run the AC constantly, but the room still feels humid. How serious is this, and do I need to call a professional cleaning company immediately, or is it something I can handle myself with bleach?
Posted by Hannah Young
Asked on March 23, 2026 11:45 pm
Based on your description, this is a serious situation that requires immediate professional attention. The black and green fuzzy patches are almost certainly active mold colonies. The constant damp, earthy smell is a strong indicator of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), which are gasses produced by actively growing mold. This is a common issue in Dubai villas, where the high ambient humidity, especially during heavy dew season, leads to significant condensation on cooler interior surfaces, particularly behind furniture placed against external walls.

Attempting to clean this yourself with bleach is strongly discouraged. Bleach is ineffective on porous materials like wood and drywall, as it only bleaches the surface mold without addressing the root hyphae (root structure) deep within the material. Furthermore, improper cleaning can aerosolize the spores, spreading the contamination throughout your children's bedroom and HVAC system, significantly increasing their exposure and the scope of the problem. The health implications for children, who are more susceptible to mold-related respiratory issues, are a primary concern.

The AC may be running constantly, but if it is not properly sized, maintained, or if there are underlying issues with the building envelope allowing moisture ingress, it will not control the humidity sufficiently. A professional inspection is absolutely necessary. We use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to identify the exact moisture source and hygrometers to measure relative humidity levels. Remediation must follow strict protocols for containment and air filtration (using HEPA scrubbers) to prevent cross-contamination, as per international IICRC standards, which we adhere to in the UAE.

For a proper assessment and safe, effective remediation, please contact our certified team immediately. Call Saniservice at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 25, 2026 9:31 pm