The Best Place to Check Your House for Black Mold

The Best At-Home Mold Tests to Apply Effectually Your Home

Utilize these good picks to detect and tackle mold spores

We independently research, examination, review, and recommend the all-time products—learn more than about our process. If yous buy something through our links, nosotros may earn a commission.

The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

Mold tin abound anywhere it finds moisture and organic nutrients, similar wood or paper, to feed on. You may observe it in a corner of your bathroom, laundry room, or basement, or whatever infinite that doesn't have quality ventilation. If you come across mold, it's imperative to remove it chop-chop and safely, every bit mold can be detrimental to your family'due south health. However, it tin be a little difficult to know if mold exists in your home (especially if information technology'south airborne), which is where at-home mold testing comes in.

Mold testing kits aid you lot detect and even identify growing spores in your home, through samples collected via the air or from the surface in question. Some give you results right away, while others ask you to package the samples and send them dorsum to a lab for professional exam. With the resulting information, you tin can go the peace-of-heed that you're looking for while making all of the necessary arrangements to remove the harmful fungi, or know your cleaning efforts were effective.

We spoke to Dr. John Balmes, a professor of medicine at UCSF and professor of environmental wellness sciences in the School of Public Health at UC Berkley regarding the most common types of mold occurring in residential environments, risk factors for mold growth, and the potential health impacts. "Common types of mold include aspergillus, cladosporium and stachybotrys atra (as well known as blackness mold). That said, there are many dissimilar types of mold." Dr. Balmes too points out that virtually mold growth is visible, simply can also occur under carpets or within walls—making it important to consult a mold removal professional if you're in doubt about how to go on with testing or removal.

The Centers for Illness Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends removing every type of mold every bit shortly as information technology'southward spotted, as you don't know how information technology'll touch on yous or anyone else in your household. In that location is no acceptable corporeality of any type of mold, and you should prioritize cleaning upward spores—whether it be with the proper cleaning products or assistance from a mold remediation company if there'south x square feet or more of affected area.

Plus, you should consider working with a professional for this task, and check that the testing follows methods from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and other professional organizations, every bit noted past the U.Due south. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Subsequently the fact, the results of at-home mold testing tin can help you lot create a prevention plan and recognize a mold-gratis area.

Here, the all-time at-home mold tests, that are both like shooting fish in a barrel to apply and effective.

Our Top Picks

Use tape or bulk collection to have up to ten samples evaluated in an AIHA-accredited lab, at an economical toll per test.

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This kit provides a swab and record to collect three surface samples and includes lab fees and expert consultation.

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Observe out if you have some of the most harmful types of mold with a rapid-test that provides results in 5 minutes.

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This option includes a reusable air pump, plus you can purchase additional sample cassettes for future testing.

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With this option, petri dishes are sold individually and you can self-clarify the growth to save on lab testing fees.

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Designed for surface or bulk samples, you won't pay any additional testing fees to have up to 3 samples evaluated in a lab.

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Decide which areas of your dwelling have the highest mold count using this kit with 10 exam films.

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This system monitors conditions related to indoor air quality, including weather condition that raise the adventure of mold growth.

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Test Type: Tape, majority | Effect Type: Lab report | Analysis Fees: Yeah | Expert Consultation: Yep | Number
of Samples: 10

What Nosotros Similar

• Lab fees are simply $fifteen per sample
  

• Free expert consultation available
  

• Sample up to 10 areas, using record or bulk collection

What We Don't Like

• No selection for self-reporting
  

• Non suitable for air testing

Test multiple samples easily and quickly with the assistance of the MoldOk Detection Test Kit. We like that this at-home mold examination includes the supplies and instructions to collect upwardly to ten samples, including surface samples using tape strips or bulk samples (for things like rug fibers or insulation). You can use this mold testing kit to appraise various areas of your home, garage, office, or vehicle for the presence of mold. Information technology as well means that y'all have the flexibility to sample every bit many—or every bit few—spots as you need to.

This isn't a cocky-reporting mold testing kit, so yous volition need to ship samples into the AIHA-accredited lab for analysis, but the $15 testing fee per sample is significantly lower than the fees associated with other testing kits. The mold analysis volition signal the blazon of mold spores present in a sample, along with their relative concentration (minor, moderate, or heavy). In addition, you can take advantage of the free expert consultation hotline to talk over more than details about the results.

A unique feature of this at-home mold testing kit is the choice to test samples for an expanded profile that too indicates the presence of pollen, grit mites, fibers, and skin cells nowadays in the sample. The add-on testing incurs an additional $xv fee, but tin exist useful when assessing whether or non mold or other allergens may be causing discomfort or health complaints for you lot or your family members.

Test Type: Tape | Issue Blazon: Lab report | Analysis Fees: No | Expert Consultation: Yep | Number of Samples: 3

What We Similar

• Includes lab fees to analyze 3 samples
  

• Utilise a swab or tape for collection
  

• Costless expert consultation

What We Don't Similar

• Not suitable for air testing
  

• Must pay shipping to send samples to lab

To assess whether you lot have mold growing on surface areas in or around your home, the DIY Mold Test Kit from Seeml Labs is an easy-to-use option, with results from an AIHA-accredited lab. This at-home mold test is designed for surface testing, giving yous the option to use the included swab and two tape lifts to submit up to three samples. If you lot have more surfaces to test, the kit includes instructions for submitting additional samples.

Described as a 'mold inspector in a box,' each DIY Mold Test Kit includes the lab analysis fees for three samples, providing the genus and concentration of whatever mold spores. You lot'll receive a testing study, along with the option for a costless consultation to better understand the results.

Test Blazon: Swab | Result Blazon: Self report | Analysis Fees: Yes (optional) | Practiced Consultation: Yeah | Number of Samples: one

What Nosotros Like

• Receive results in minutes
  

• Includes expert consultation for positive examination results
  

• Postage-paid for optional laboratory testing

What We Don't Like

• Single-sample test kit

Many at-home mold exam kits take a minimum of 48 hours before its possible to decide if you have mold growth from your sample. In the instance of lab testing kits, yous may wait a week (or more) to receive results. Looking for a faster answer every bit to whether or not you accept mold growth in your domicile? The Healthful Home 5-Infinitesimal Mold Test Kit uses rapid-testing methods to quickly indicate the presence of more 32 unlike types of mold.

A major perk of this at-home testing kit is the fact that you'll know right away if you have mold growth from some of the most toxic genera— Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys. Two rapid tests using lateral flow analysis applied science provide results in five minutes. The testing method has been validated in an EPA-licensed and AIHA-accredited laboratory and eliminates the need to wait days for answers as to whether yous have mold growth in your home.

Swab a single spot for individual analysis of an area or sample from multiple places in the home to determine if you take a mold trouble that needs to exist addressed with further testing. Equally an added value, the Healthful Home 5-Infinitesimal Mold Test Kit offers an expert consultation if you do receive a positive test outcome. Similar many other cocky-evaluated mold examination kits, you lot tin can opt to send in samples for laboratory testing. The kit includes sealed swabs and a pre-paid return envelope for your convenience, but keep in listen that lab-testing will incur an additional fee.

Expert Tip

"Mold growth can give off an uncomfortable odor, but more importantly can trigger allergic responses in someone who is sensitized to spores of a specific mold. Aspergillus is a mold that tin cause allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, including asthma exacerbations and a serious lung disease called hypersensitivity pneumonitis."—John Balmes, M.D.

Test Type: Air pump | Result Type: Lab study | Analysis Fees: Yeah | Practiced Consultation: No | Number of
Samples: 3

What We Like

• Air sampling pump is reusable
  

• Fast, 3-twenty-four hour period turnaround for lab results
  

• Report indicates types of mold nowadays, along with relative
  levels

What We Don't Like

• Lab testing fee is $35 per sample
  

An air pump is considered to be an effective and efficient manner to test for the presence of airborne mold spores. However, it usually requires special equipment and professional services. My Mold Detective offers an at-home mold testing kit specifically designed for air testing and includes a small, user-friendly air pump and drove cassettes.

Later following the kit'southward instructions for use, you lot'll need to send in the samples for professional laboratory evaluation. Go along in mind that the testing fee for each sample is $35, and y'all'll likewise pay the cost of shipping the samples to the AIHA-accredited lab. Notwithstanding, many people will discover the cost of the kit plus the lab fees to be more than economical than a home visit from a professional person for mold evaluation. Yous'll receive color-coded lab results indicating which types of mold are nowadays in the samples, along with their relative concentration levels (normal, slightly elevated, or elevated). Information technology'southward nice to know that you tin reuse the air pump for hereafter at-home mold testing and separate sample cassettes are available for purchase.

Test Type: Petri dish | Upshot Type: Self-report, Lab report (optional) | Analysis Fees: Yes | Proficient
Consultation: No | Number of Samples: 1

What Nosotros Like

• Includes petri dish, swab, and growing medium
  

• Results visible within 48 hours
  

• Can be used for air or surface samples

What Nosotros Don't Similar

• Lab testing fees are extra
  

• May need to buy multiple kits to complete testing

The cost of testing samples for mold growth can speedily add up. All the same, you tin can use an affordable at-home test kit, like this version from Mold Armor, every bit a starting bespeak to make up one's mind if you have mold nowadays in your home, office, or motorcar. This self-testing kit includes everything you need to sample and test one expanse of concern. It includes a single petri dish, growing medium, and swab, along with the directions for how to acquit out the test. Continue in heed that to sample several areas of your home or compare indoor and outdoor air quality, you volition need to purchase multiple testing kits.

One of the advantages of this budget at-domicile mold examination kit is that you lot'll typically exist able to determine if you have mold growth within 48 hours of collecting a sample. If you desire a lab assay to make up one's mind the type of mold, you tin can mail the sample to Mold Armor'due south AIHA-accredited facility. Keep in mind that this will give you more detailed results, but volition also increase the toll of this upkeep examination kit—each sample costs $xl to analyze.

Test Blazon: Record, bulk | Event Type: Lab report | Analysis Fees: No | Skillful Consultation: Yeah | Number
of Samples: 3

What Nosotros Like

• Includes cost of lab fees and return shipping
  

• Option to transport majority samples of things like insulation or
  fibers
  

• Results within 5-7 days

What Nosotros Don't Like

• Not suitable for sampling airborne mold
  

• No option for self-evaluation

Many calm mold testing kits include an pick for professional lab evaluation. Usually, this will incur an additional charge of $thirty or more than per sample. All the same, the Wellness Metric Mold Test Kit includes testing fees for upwardly to 3 samples—making information technology our elevation recommendation for a lab-tested, at-home mold test kit.

Designed for surface or bulk sampling, you can utilize the Health Metric Mold Test Kit to evaluate areas of business. Tape strips are included for sampling simply nearly any flat surface (including walls, fixtures, rug, and more than) or you can send in a sample of bulk fabric, such equally drywall or fibers. While there are enough of surfaces that tin be tested using this kit, take note that it's not designed for air sampling. If that is an area of concern, you'll need to use a different mold testing kit for testing air.

Once y'all've completed sample collection, send in three samples for professional analysis in an AIHA-accredited laboratory. You won't pay additional testing fees or return aircraft costs—these costs are covered in the initial purchase price of the at-dwelling mold testing kit. You won't take any clues as to whether or not you're dealing with mold growth until you receive your testing written report, since in that location is no self-analysis option with this at-domicile mold testing kit. Withal, you won't have to wait long for testing results. Wellness Metric promises to return results in v to vii days after receiving samples at the laboratory. If mold growth is present in a sample, the testing study will include the type of mold nowadays, along with an indicator of its relative quantity (the report uses minor, moderate, or heavy growth indicators).

Test Blazon: Collection film | Result Blazon: Self report | Analysis Fees: No | Adept Consultation: No | Number
of Samples: 10

What We Like

• Affordable choice for testing multiple rooms
  

• Color-contrast and colony growth makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to compare
  samples
  

• No other additional fees

What Nosotros Don't Like

• Won't help you identify mold species
  

• No practiced consultation bachelor

The MoldCheck DIY Mold Examination Kit includes 10 test films, giving yous the opportunity to compare samples from multiple rooms of your domicile or in diverse areas, like the bathroom and basement. Described equally a search kit, the goal of this at-dwelling mold test is to help yous notice the primary source of mold in your home using test film exposed to the air in each area of testing. After collecting samples, you'll add an activating liquid to the movie. After following the kit's instructions for development, the films can be compared by color contrast and colony quantities.

Keep in heed that mold identification is non the purpose of this testing kit. If you're looking for confirmation regarding the blazon of mold yous take growing, you lot'll need to call in a professional person or independently submit samples to a laboratory. However, this mold testing kit for multiple rooms tin can help you lot to find the highest concentration of mold in your home equally a starting bespeak towards mold remediation.

Expert Tip

"Household mold primarily thrives in damp, humid areas, such as basements, showers and areas around heating and cooling appliances. Mold in homes can also occur in ventilation ducts and crawlspaces." —John Balmes, M.D.

Test Type: Non applicative | Result Type: Not applicative | Assay Fees: No | Expert Consultation: No | Number of Samples: Non applicative

What We Similar

• Provides proactive alert for weather that lead to mold
  

• Access air quality data in the app

What We Don't Similar

• Doesn't test for the presence of mold
  

• Expensive

Ane of the best defenses against the development of mold and mildew is preventing the weather that are conducive to the growth of fungus—like warm, damp environments. The Airthings Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Arrangement includes the Airthings Moving ridge, Wave Mini, and Hub to keep tabs on your abode'south humidity, temperature, radon levels, and VOCs. Using the Airthings app, yous'll take this information readily bachelor.

The mold risk indication alerts you if conditions put your home at take chances for mold growth. Fifty-fifty when you're away from home, like at the office or on vacation, this system for monitoring can provide you with the insight you need to be on baby-sit against ascension levels of humidity and warm air. With the help of the Airthings Hub, yous can as well use smart home assistants like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or IFTTT technology to suit your home's thermostat, humidifier, and other appliances to minimize the chances of mold growth.

Expert Tip

"When wet levels go too high, it creates a ripe environment for mold infestation. The cardinal to mold command is moisture control. Moisture tin can be controlled indoors by reducing humidity, increasing ventilation, and fixing whatever h2o leaks or other sources of moisture." —Elías Rodríguez, Yard.P.A. Deputy Director of Public Affairs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region two

Terminal Verdict

We recommend the LabTech MoldOK Detection Test Kit (view at Lowe's) as a proficient starting point in assessing mold growth. This at-abode test kit includes materials to sample up to ten surfaces. While yous will pay a fee to accept each sample evaluated in an AIHA-accredited lab, the $xv accuse per sample is lower than most and gives y'all the flexibility to exam as many or as few samples as needed. For a single at-home mold examination at a upkeep price, consider using the Mold Armor Practice It Yourself Mold Examination Kit (view at Amazon), which provides self-read results in equally little every bit 48 hours after sampling.

Examination Type

The type of test you lot choose volition depend on what you are testing for the presence of mold, either a surface, majority material, or the air. For surface testing, you'll probable utilise a mold test kit with tape strips to elevator a sample. Or, you might employ a swab to send a sample into a lab or to spread a sample on a petri dish for evaluation. When testing the air for mold, the best option is typically an air pump that collects samples for evaluation in a laboratory. All the same, some mold exam kits use collection moving-picture show or petri dishes exposed to the air as a ways of testing for mold. If you want to exam materials like drywall or carpet fibers for mold, so a exam kit with a pouch for including sample pieces to exist evaluated in a lab is your best option.

Accreditation

Choosing an accredited at-home mold examination kit can help y'all to have more than confidence in the results you receive. For lab-tested mold kits, check to see if the laboratory you're submitting samples to has received accreditation from the American Industrial Hygiene Association, commonly referred to as the AIHA.

Consequence Type

In that location are two means of receiving results from an at-home mold test: cocky-analysis or lab reporting. If you lot cull a test kit that requires lab reporting, yous'll submit samples (typically nerveless by tape strip, swab, or petri dish) to a laboratory for analysis by an expert. Usually, this involves waiting a week or more for results and may incur additional fees for each sample submitted. Notwithstanding, you'll receive a written report that identifies the genus of mold growing, forth with its relative concentration.

For self-study mold test kits, you tin can read results from your examination kit within about 48 hours, although a rapid test tin can provide results in just a few minutes. If you lot're on the argue about which type of exam is right for you, keep in mind that some self-report mold kits tin also exist submitted to a laboratory once yous see testify of growth for confirmation of the type of mold.

Number of Samples

Mold tests will include the supplies for collecting one or more samples. If you have a number of surfaces to test, cull a testing kit that includes plenty supplies to collect all of the required samples. Proceed in listen that some kits for lab testing only include the analysis fee for a specified number of samples. If y'all submit additional samples, you lot'll need to pay a fee for each one.

FAQ

• Are at-abode mold tests accurate?

  While at-habitation mold test kits can provide y'all with some insights into the presence of mold that may be growing in your home, there are also a variety of factors that can undermine the accuracy of these tests—including collection errors, inability to properly read the test results, and improper storage or handling of the sample. For this reason, you lot might cull to utilize a mold professional for cess of any areas of concern in your home or property.

  When using an calm mold test kit for basic evaluation, be sure to follow all of the manufacturer's instructions for testing for the best results. If you choose a test kit that includes lab evaluation, ensure that the lab has been accredited past the AIHA.
  

• Tin you test for mold yourself in your home?

  At-habitation mold test kits may provide y'all with an indicator of whether or not in that location is mold present. Keep in listen that since there are no federal or regulatory guidelines specifying a 'rubber' level of mold, any visible mold growth requires attention for cleaning and removal, regardless of what blazon it may exist according to test results.

  It should be noted that the EPA's stance on mold sampling is that it should be conducted by professionals with experience in the collection and interpretation of results related to mold testing.
  

• How practice you lot know your home is gratuitous of mold after repairs have been fabricated?

  Co-ordinate to the EPA, "visible mold and moldy odors should non exist present." In improver, you should be able to occupy the surface area without any health complaints or concrete symptoms connected to mold exposure.

  While not required by federal or country regulations, you may choose to use an at-domicile mold testing kit to evaluate a previously contaminated surface for the presence of mold.
  

This article was written by Erica Puisis, who has been researching strategies to meliorate everyday life and wellness for The Spruce since 2017. To notice the all-time options for at-home mold testing kits, she considered a wide range of products that include both self-monitored and lab-evaluated options. When comparing options, she considered the type of test, the number of samples for each kit, how long information technology takes to receive results, the price of any necessary lab fees, and whether or non additional help is available from an expert. All of the at-dwelling house mold testing kits on this list that are lab-evaluated are handled past an AIHA-accredited facility.

In the research procedure, we also interviewed Dr. John Balmes, a professor of medicine at UCSF and professor of environmental wellness sciences in the School of Public Health at UC Berkley. He shared insights on the most common types of residential mold, too as the conditions that are nearly favorable for its growth. In addition, nosotros spoke to Elías Rodríguez, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for Region 2 of the EPA regarding testing guidance and the role that moisture plays in the development of mold growth.

The Bandbox uses only loftier-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more most how we fact-cheque and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Mold Course Chapter i.Ecology Protection Agency.

2. You Tin can Control Mold.Centers for Disease Command and Prevention.

3. Mold Cleanup in Your Dwelling house. Ecology Protection Bureau.

4. Mold Testing and Sampling. Environmental Protection Agency.

5. Who Can Test My Home or Make clean, Gear up and Remediate My Home for Mold? 2019, https://www.epa.gov/mold/who-can-exam-my-dwelling house-or-make clean-fix-and-remediate-my-home-mold

6. Epa, U. S., and OAR.A Brief Guide to Mold, Moistureand Your Abode. 2014, https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-wet-and-your-dwelling house.

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Source: https://www.thespruce.com/best-at-home-mold-tests-5080272

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