Having mold in your home can be really dangerous, but thankfully, there are a few solutions out there to get rid of it! But first, you should purchase a test kit to be able to figure out what kind of mold you’re dealing with.
Basically, it’s the first step in your journey to making all of the mold in your household disappear for good.
Of course, at the same time, there are many such kits on the market, so it can be really difficult to pick the right one as not all of them work just as well.
This list will guide you to picking a really great mold kit depending on your personal situation as well!
After deciding on one, perform the test, and based on the results, you’ll know what the next step is in your battle with mold.
If you suspect that you have an issue with dampness, have seen mold spores floating around, or have already seen mold on certain surfaces, a test kit is essential.
These products are really useful and will allow you to swab any areas in your house and send the samples to get a professional analysis to find out more.
Just keep in mind that there are some great options for black mold as well so don’t hesitate to purchase one.
After all, black mold looks terrible but it is also super dangerous as it can lead to health problems.
If you leave it be for a long period of time, mold can actually devaluate your house and might cost you thousands of dollars to fix it later so try your best to get rid of it as early on as possible, instead of letting it spread too much.
This list features some of the best kits on the market based on how easy they are to use and how quickly you can expect the results to be as well as, of course, how accurate they are!
Some kits can help detect spores in your home just by analyzing the air so even if the mold is hidden behind some heavy furniture piece and you have no idea about it, you can still do the test and find out if you have mold and what kind it is!
Furthermore, as mentioned before, a lot of kits require you to mail the samples to a professional lab for examination, but there are some that will give you the results immediately if you are more in a hurry.
No matter what option you pick, make sure you clean up the mold and spores as soon as possible as no amount or type of mold is safe and appropriate.
You should even consider hiring a professional to do this task following the testing so that it’s done safely and properly.
But before that, the at-home kits can really help you recognize the problem and come up with a prevention plan so you’ll never have to battle mold again.
Mold Inspection Network DIY Mold Test
This test kit is great for surface testing when you have visible mold but will not help you much with spores floating around.
So if you already know for sure you have mold, can see it and have access to it, this is a great product to try out.
It is a DIY test kit that comes with all you need for three separate tests and will help with identifying what sort of mold you have and what concentration of it is in your home.
All you need to do is collect some samples and then mail them to a lab for the results.
Keep in mind that this product comes with expert consultation as an option for all buyers living in the United States with the exception of the state of Texas.
Pro-Lab Mold Test
A wonderful test kit, this product is super accurate and perfect for either indoor or outdoor use.
Just like the first kit on this list, you need to send off the samples to a lab.
You get the results in around 5 days, which is quicker than most other companies.
As for how to gather the samples, there are actually a couple of different methods!
First, the easiest way is to leave a prepared petri dish on a flat surface for about 60 minutes before sealing it and letting it incubate for at least 2 days.
The second way of doing it is known as visual sampling and will have you use a swab to collect a mold and then place it in a petri dish before sending them both to the lab.
The results are really accurate but the only downside is that this brand does not provide you with the proper bags needed to safely ship the petri dishes off to the lab.
Finally, the third method, or the HVAC, is a little trickier but really important. It requires you to attach a petri dish to the farthest vent from the heater or AC and close all of the other vents in your house before turning on the system for about 10 minutes.
After all of that, seal the petri dish and let it incubate for two days at the minimum.
Just keep in mind that this kit is perfect when it comes to detecting yeast or black mold but can’t also detect bacteria or fungus.
On the company sites, you will find all the DIY instructions you need and there are even video tutorials to help you do it right!
And if you still have some questions, you can contact a representative either by email or phone.
Seeml Labs DIY Mold 3 Test Kit
With the Seeml Labs DIY Mold Test Kit, you can take samples from three different surfaces in your house and then send them to a specialized lab and at this point, this sounds all too familiar.
However, what makes this specific product different is the fact that you’ll get the results on the same day the samples arrive at the lab!
They also test for all kinds of mold and when the report is sent out, there are also expert consultations available for you!
It is super easy to use and if you still have some questions, you can always contact the company that makes the kit.
First Alert Mold Detection Kit
The First Alert Mold Detection Kit is great for airborne mold spores.
Just send the samples to the lab in the preprinted envelopes they provide you with and you’ll get the results in 5 to 7 days.
My Mold Detective MMD103 Mold Test Kit
It’s possible that there are mold spores airborne in your house, case in which you need the My Mold Detective Mold Test Kit.
It comes with an air sampling pump as well as 4 air sample cassettes and a surface sample.
To collect a sample from your home using this kit only takes five minutes and it’s super easy to use.
First of all, use the air sampling pump to collect 3 samples indoors while also collecting a control sample from the outdoors.
Second, mail the cassettes to the company where the samples will get analyzed to learn which type of mold you’re dealing with. They will let you know if the levels are normal in their easy to understand, color coded report that also includes recommendations in addition to the results.
Healthful Home 5-Minute Home Mold Test
As the name also suggests, this is a really straightforward, easy to use test kit that will provide you with the much desired results in only 5 minutes.
With that being said, if you feel like you need some really fast results, this is the ideal product for you!
Of course, if you want more details, you can still send the samples to the company’s labs and you’ll receive a detailed report in a matter of days.
Furthermore, with this kit, there is only one testing method – use a swab to collect samples of mold and put them in 2 collection trays.
The next step is to pour a special liquid onto the sample and in a matter of minutes, your results will already show.
By using this product, you can really take acting super quickly, especially if you’re suspecting you’re dealing with black mold.
Finally, if you have more questions about the testing, you can always contact the company via phone or email.
Mold Armor DIY Mold Test Kit
This Mold Armor kit features a petri dish and mold-growth medium and is ideal for testing the air inside your house as well as your surface areas that show mold growth and ventilation systems.
The kit will show the presence of mold just by exposing it to air but if you also want to find out what kind of mold you have, make sure to send off the samples to the lab.
ImmunoLytics Value Test Kit
The ImmunoLytics Value Test Kit is really easy to use and can show you immediately whether or not you have a mold problem.
You can use it to test the air from inside the house and a full lab analysis is also included for more details.
Along with these, you’ll be getting a report that you can show to mold removal specialists, letting them know exactly what you need without having to know all the technical details yourself.
As for how you can collect a sample, just open up the petri dish and leave it open for around an hour inside your house and that is more than enough for it to collect all the details necessary from the air.
The petri dish comes ready for use, meaning that you don’t need to add a growth medium.
First Alert MT1 Mold Detection Kit
The last kit on your list comes from a well known brand that has been making really efficient and safe products for houses for about 6 decades!
Their testing kit is simple, without too many bells and whistles but still does a great job.
You’ll get six test taps for your surfaces as well as three polybags and a special return envelope.
Keep in mind that this kit is not meant to test for spores in the air but will definitely tell you whether or not there is any mold thriving on any of your surfaces.
For more details, make sure to send off the samples and you’ll receive accurate results conducted by a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certified lab within 5 to 7 workdays.
