Safest way to clean black mold behind wardrobe?« Back to Previous Page

Alright, this is a very common issue we see, especially in villas here in Mirdif with our recent high humidity. First, your concern for your kids' health is absolutely valid, as that persistent cough could very well be linked to mold exposure.

Before you do anything, you MUST contain the area. That patch of black speckles is releasing spores. Seal off the bedroom from the rest of the house and cover the AC vent in that room with plastic sheeting and tape to prevent spores from circulating through the entire system.

For a small patch (less than 1 square meter), you can attempt to clean it yourself, but with extreme caution. Do NOT use bleach. It doesn't kill the roots and the moisture from it can actually feed the mold later. The approved method is a detergent solution or a specialized mold cleaner. Scrub the area thoroughly, but gently, to avoid aerosolizing spores. After cleaning, the area must be dried completely within 24-48 hours. This is non-negotiable in our climate. Use a dehumidifier and increase ventilation.

However, what you see is often just the tip of the iceberg. The mold behind the wardrobe likely has a water source – perhaps a small plumbing leak in the wall or condensation from the AC. Without a professional inspection to identify and address that root cause, it will 100% come back, often worse. Furthermore, improper DIY remediation can make the problem much larger and more expensive to fix by cross-contaminating your home.

Given the health symptoms your family is already experiencing, a professional assessment is strongly advised. We can perform tests to identify the mold type and spore count in the air your children are breathing. For a proper inspection and a guaranteed remediation plan, please call our team at 800-MOLDS or 800-66537.