A big part of having a tidy home is having a healthy home. We all want a healthy and safe home, but we can't always afford to hire a mold or air quality expert. We reviewed dozens of different types of DIY mold testing kits so that you know exactly which ones to use for the most accurate and effective results in your own home.
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What Is Mold and Why Is It Harmful?
Mold is a fungus that lives in the air and feeds off of organic matter, like wood or paper. Mold can grow anywhere it finds moisture. While most types of mold are harmless, there are some groups that can cause major health problems for you and your family if not removed from your home quickly. Some mold can be easily seen in the corner of a basement or on the ceiling of a poorly ventilated bathroom. However, airborne mold can be tricky to detect, which is why DIY mold tests are useful.
Mold is such a serious issue in many households, that the CDC published a statement about the hazards of mold and instructions for how to remediate mold in your home. Their stance is that there is no acceptable amount of mold and all mold should be removed from your home as soon as it is identified. If you or a family member suspects that mold may be an issue in your home, it is imperative that you use a DIY mold test to determine if mold is present in your air.
Related: How to Clean Mold in Carpet: Effective Removal Techniques
Which DIY Mold Test Should I Use?
There are thousands of DIY mold tests available on the market and it can be tricky to know which one to use. After reviewing dozens of the top DIY mold test kits, these are kits that are the most user-friendly and the most likely to deliver accurate results.
Seeml Labs DIY Mold 3 Test Kit
The Seeml Labs DIY Mold Test Kit allows you to take samples from three different places in your home. Once you collect the samples, you ship them to an AIHA-LAP accredited lab. Since this lab specializes in mold analysis, these results can be used to file a claim with many insurance companies.
There are no additional lab fees and you will receive your results on the same day they receive your sample. The lab emails you a report with the results and the experts will answer any questions you have. This DIY test kit is the closest you will get to hire a professional mold expert, without the high cost.
Healthful Home 5-Minute Mold Test
The Heathful Home 5-Minute Mold Test is a great DIY option if you don't want to wait for lab results. It can be used for testing specific areas of your home that you suspect may have elevated levels of toxic mold. It’s quick and easy to do, with clear instructions included to ensure accuracy in the results. It tests for more than 32 types of mold and spores. If you need more tests, the kit includes swabs that can be sent into a lab for further testing.
Health Metric DIY Mold Test Kit
The Health Metric DIY Mold Test Kit is another great option for a home mold test. It provides AIHA-accredited lab results in compliance with the EPA, making it one of the best DIY mold tests available. The kit includes everything you need to get started without additional purchases necessary. Pre-paid shipping to send your samples to the lab is provided. With this DIY mold test kit, you can do a tape life with the provided materials or you can send in a piece of your drywall, insulation, or carpet and have it tested.
Evviva Sciences DIY Mold Test Kit
If you aren't sure where the mold is located and want to test multiple locations of your home, including your HVAC system, the Evviva Sciences DIY Mold Test Kit is right for you. The kit includes 10 agar petri dishes for 10 different samples. Test walls, floors, insulation, and even air with this kit. Either analyze the petri dish samples and use the comparison guide to determine if mold is present or send the samples away to a certified lab. The lab results cost extra, so be prepared for that.
What If You Have Mold?
Now that you have used a DIY mold test kit, what do you do if you have mold? If you do have a positive result with one of the DIY tests above, then your best option is to call in mold remediation professionals who are trained for this type of job. A full home inspection and air quality testing should be done by a mold remediator to determine the underlying cause of the mold and to reveal any remaining mold that may be hidden from sight. Very small areas of mold can be treated with bleach, but if the mold is in multiple locations, call a professional.
A few things to have on hand if you discover mold in your home are:
- hOmeLabs Dehumidifier. Mold needs moisture to grow. One of the best ways to prevent it from continuing to grow and spread is to immediately use a dehumidifier. We recommend this one and it is highly rated on Amazon.
- OdorFree Villa 3000 Ozone Generator. If the mold smell has taken over your home, rent a hotel room for a night or two and leave this high-powered ozone machine running. This is the best ozone machine we have found for eliminating odor caused by mold and mildew.
- Concrobium Mold Control Cleaner. This EPA registered formula is super effective at killing mold spores and removing mold and mildew to prevent regrowth. It does not contain bleach or harsh chemicals and can be applied with a fogger, spray bottle, cloth, or brush.
No one wants to find mold in their home. But, the sooner you test the mold and determine what kind and how to treat it, the faster you can ensure a safe and healthy home for you and your family.