Safe DIY mold removal in kid's room or hire professional?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks now, and I just discovered patches of black mold behind their bedroom wardrobe, which is against an exterior wall in our villa in Jumeirah. It must have been growing since the last heavy rain we had. I’m really worried about their health and need to fix this fast. What’s the most effective and safe way to remove mold in a kid’s room here, and should I hire a professional company or is it something I can handle myself?
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For a small patch (under one square meter) on a non-porous surface like tile or glass, a careful DIY approach is possible. Wear an N95 mask, gloves, and safety glasses. Isolate the area by closing the door and covering the AC vent. Scrub the area with a solution of detergent and warm water, then wipe with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) to disinfect. Dry the area completely with a fan.
However, given your description, this is likely a professional job. The mold is behind furniture against an exterior wall, suggesting a moisture intrusion issue from the last rains. In Dubai's climate, exterior walls are prone to condensation and dampness from temperature differentials between the intense heat outside and the AC-cooled interior. Simply cleaning the visible mold won't solve the underlying problem, and the spores are already airborne, which explains the persistent coughing. A professional remediation company will identify and address the root cause—likely a leak or significant condensation—to prevent immediate regrowth. They use containment barriers and HEPA air scrubbers to prevent cross-contamination during removal, which is critical for a child's room. For health verification, a company with its own microbiology lab can provide post-remediation testing to confirm the spore count in the room's air has returned to safe levels. Given the health symptoms and the hidden nature of the growth, an assessment is strongly recommended. |
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