What happens in six weeks with the AC off
- A sealed flat without cooling climbs to outdoor humidity, 80–90% in summer. Every porous surface passes the point where mould grows, and growth continues all trip.
- Dubai residents have described "the entire contents of my apartment covered in mould" after two weeks away.
The first 24 hours
Work in a fixed order: record the damage before you clean, dry the air, protect yourself, then call the firms for what you should not touch. The five steps are below.
What to throw out
- Mattresses, upholstered furniture and rugs that still smell after cleaning; shoes and leather with deep spotting. One resident discarded all the bedroom furniture for the smell alone.
Next time
- Usual advice: AC at 26–28°C in fan or auto mode while away. It limits damage; it does not hold humidity.
- The reliable fix is a ducted dehumidifier with a humidistat and a plumbed drain: it runs alone, holds 50–55% and needs no tank emptied.
Step by step
What to do in the first 24 hours after coming home to mould
- 1
Photograph everything first
Before you touch anything, photograph every affected room and item for the landlord and the insurer.
- 2
Switch the AC on, windows shut
Run the AC in cool mode and keep the windows closed; outdoor air in summer is wetter than the air you want indoors.
- 3
Protect yourself and bag textiles
Wear a mask and gloves. Bag mouldy textiles; wash what is washable at the hottest setting and dry it fully.
- 4
Wipe hard surfaces
Clean hard surfaces with detergent. Never dry-brush mould: it spreads the spores.
- 5
Book the professionals
Book a remediation firm for gypsum ceilings and built-in wardrobes, and a coil and duct clean if the vents smell.
