Safest way to clean black mold in kids' room?« Back to Previous Page

For a small patch (under one square foot), you can clean it yourself safely. First, keep your children out of the room and open the windows for ventilation. Wear an N95 mask, gloves, and safety goggles.

Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the moldy area and let it sit for an hour. Scrub gently with a stiff brush, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Avoid using bleach, as it can release harmful fumes and only bleaches the mold without killing the root in porous surfaces.

The underlying cause is the humidity. In Al Barsha's older villas, this often stems from condensation due to AC ducts being too cold for the humid air, or moisture wicking through the wall from the outside. After cleaning, use a dehumidifier or run your AC continuously on a dry mode to keep humidity below 60%. Move the curtains and furniture slightly away from the wall to improve air circulation.

Given the location behind curtains and the fact it's in your children's bedroom, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. The visible patch is often just the surface manifestation of a larger colony inside the wall cavity. An inspector can use a moisture meter to find the source and assess the full extent. For health safety, especially with persistent coughing, a lab test of the mold type is advisable to understand the specific risk.