What's the safest way to remove mold with a toddler?« Back to Previous Page

Our family villa in Al Barsha has a persistent damp smell in the ground-floor guest room that backs onto the garden. I started moving some stored boxes yesterday and found black, fuzzy patches all over the back wall and even on a leather bag. With my toddler and my mother, who has asthma, living here, I'm really worried. What is the most effective and child-safe way to get this professionally treated and make sure it doesn't come back?
Posted by Raj Joshi
Asked on April 3, 2026 10:56 pm
Based on your description of a persistent damp smell and visible black, fuzzy patches in your Al Barsha villa, this is a serious situation that requires immediate professional attention, especially given the occupants with asthma and a toddler. The climate in Dubai, with its high humidity and constant air conditioning use, creates a perfect environment for mold to thrive, particularly on exterior walls that can experience significant condensation.

For a situation of this severity, DIY methods are strongly discouraged and potentially hazardous. Disturbing the mold by moving boxes has already released a high concentration of spores into the air, which is a significant health risk. The safest and most effective method is professional mold remediation. This is a multi-step process that begins with a comprehensive inspection, including moisture mapping and air quality testing, to identify the exact species and the full extent of the contamination, including inside the wall cavity.

The remediation itself must be performed by certified technicians using engineering controls. This involves setting up critical containment barriers with negative air pressure machines (air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filters) to completely isolate the affected area and prevent cross-contamination to the rest of your home. The actual removal is done using HEPA vacuuming and abrasive cleaning techniques. All affected porous materials, like the drywall and the leather bag, will likely need to be safely discarded. The process concludes with a thorough hygienization of the area and post-remediation verification testing to ensure the environment is safe for your family.

To ensure the mold does not return, the root cause of the moisture must be identified and rectified. This could be an irrigation issue in the garden, a plumbing leak, or inadequate insulation on the cold wall.

For the safety of your family, I recommend you cease all activity in that room and contact a professional immediately. Saniservice's certified team specializes in this exact scenario, using child and pet-safe EPA-approved products and protocols that comply with Dubai Municipality standards. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for an urgent inspection and remediation plan.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 6, 2026 5:42 pm