The Healthful Home 5-Minute Home Mold Test is one of the only mold tests we reviewed that gives you results in under ten minutes. Even the best mold test kits require sampled mold to incubate for an hour or two before sending the sample into a lab for further analysis. This test tells you if you have mold in about five minutes, as the name suggests, and you can see if you have black mold growing in your house immediately. Like other mold detectors, you have to send a sample into a lab to get a full mycology report.
This kit uses a swab and two collection trays to detect mold. To begin testing for mold, you wipe the swab across dust or visible mold and secure the cap. The cap is a liquid bulb that you break, which releases liquid over the collection sample. You then put five drops of this liquid into the collection trays, and after five minutes, the test indicates whether it detected mold or not. One of the two collection trays is dedicated to detecting black mold, so you can see if your home has the infamous mold in your house. However, because the kit has such a small sample area, a negative reading on the test does not guarantee that mold is not growing in your house. This is one of the kits limitations.
We love the fact it works so quickly, but other kits like the Pro-Lab Mold Test Kit provide more sampling methods and a wider testing area, yet only take about an hour to work. If you're worried about pets or children tampering with kits, this is probably the best one to get, but if you can wait an hour or so, others can produce better results for less money.
If the test detects mold, you'll want to consider sending a sample to the lab to determine exactly what mold was found. Sending samples for a lab analysis is optional, but it costs extra. The lab performing the mycology analysis is certified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). This certification requires blind evaluations of the lab on a monthly basis, meaning it complies with a high standard. After the lab receives your sample, it can take up to five days to receive the analysis, which is quicker than most.
The website includes a FAQs section, which answers many questions concerning the kit and the dangers of mold exposure. The site also has a video tutorial that walks you through the test instructions and expands upon the dangers of mold in the house. The website also includes a phone number and an email form so you can contact the company if you have any questions or concerns.
Should you buy the Healthful Home 5-Minute test kit?
The Healthful Home 5-Minute Home Mold Test is easy to use and it does actually produce the results in around five minutes. You'll know whether or not spores are present in your home immediately, but will need to send away for a lab analysis if you require more detailed information, which adds to the cost. The sample area can be limited too, so consider this when choosing your test kit.
