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Mold can grow just about anywhere moisture lingers, and it’s often invisible until it becomes a serious problem. Using home mold test kits is a smart, affordable way to check your living spaces before calling in professionals.

And it’s not just the main areas in your house that need the attention. Here are the top six places you should test—and how to do it right in each. And what makes testing these places for mold easy to do? Using The EC3 Mold Screening Test Kit, an easy-to-use and reliable tool for homeowners.

How to Use a Home Mold Test Kit

Using the EC3 Mold Home Testing Kit is a simple and effective way to check your indoor air or household items for mold presence. For air testing, begin by entering the room you want to assess.

Remove the test plate from its packaging and take off the lid. Place the open plate flat on a surface, away from walls and windows, and set the lid nearby. Let the plate sit for an hour while you go about your usual activities—this allows airborne particles to settle onto the plate.

After an hour, replace the lid, seal the plate with tape, and wrap it in aluminum foil. Clearly label it with the room name and testing date, then store it in a dark place like a drawer for five days. After five days, unwrap the foil to view results—without opening the plate—and compare what you see to the results key provided in your kit.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are mold magnets thanks to daily steam and poor ventilation. First, use the ambient air method by setting an open test plate on the bathroom counter for one hour. Label it with the date, time, and location using a Sharpie.

You can also use the tap testing method to gently tap things like towels or a bathmat with the plate to see if high numbers of mold spores are congregating on items stored in the bathroom. You would just follow all of the tap testing instructions that come with the plates to see your results.

Basements

Basements are damp by nature and prone to flooding or hidden leaks. Set a test plate in the center of the room to capture ambient air samples. If you've noticed musty smells or visible mold on walls or floors, you can use a sterile swab, not included with the kit, to gently swab those areas and roll the swab across the plate agar before closing and culturing the mold.

Wear gloves, if you are going to collect a sample with a sterile swab, and transfer it to the test plate. Always tape the dish shut and store it properly while the mold grows. We also recommend sending any samples where you are trying to find out what mold is growing to the lab. Lab instructions are located on the product page for the EC3 Mold Screening Test Kit and do incur an extra fee per plate.

Attics

Poor ventilation, roof leaks, and insulation issues make attics a mold breeding ground. Because attics are often sealed off, ambient air sampling works well. Place a dish near insulation or under rafters, then collect and seal it after an hour.

If you see discoloration or suspect roof leaks, you can use a sterile swab (not included) to test the affected area directly for a surface test. Label everything clearly so you can track where the sample came from.

Garages

Garages often have limited airflow and are exposed to moisture from vehicles or outdoor tools.

Place a dish near the garage door or back wall to test air quality. If cardboard boxes or stored items show signs of mildew, tap test  those surfaces for a second sample. Garages can grow both air-borne and surface mold, so it’s smart to test both ways.

Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces are typically damp, dark, and overlooked—perfect mold territory. Wear protective gear and place a test plate in the middle of the crawl space. If there's visible mold on insulation, beams, or pipes, collect a surface sample using the tap test  method. Return the dish to a safe, dry place and monitor it for several days.

Cars

Cars can trap moisture in carpets, upholstery, and AC systems—especially after spills or rain. Test the ambient air by placing a plate on the backseat floor or center console for an hour. For surface testing, tap floor mats, or seats with the plates..

Tape the dish closed and store it as directed. Mold in vehicles is often overlooked but can affect your health just like household mold.

Why Choose EC3 Mold Test Kits?

The EC3 Mold Screening Test Kit offers key advantages that make it especially useful for homeowners. For one, you can test either ambient air or specific surfaces. This flexibility is essential for checking multiple areas  of your home and belongings.

But if you want to know what type of mold is growing in your home, EC3 works with IMS Laboratory, a trusted name in microbiology testing. You can send in your plates for further analysis—only if you want to. This keeps the base kit affordable while offering optional expert insights.

Don’t Let Mold Get a Hold of Your Home!

Testing for mold isn’t just for homes with visible damage. If you’ve had leaks, musty odors, or just want to stay ahead of health risks, a home mold test kit is a smart move. Micro Balance Health Products carries home mold test kits and other products that can help you know the signs and don’t leave you guessing.

And if you want a kit that makes the process simple, fast, and thorough, the EC3 Mold Screening Test Kit delivers. It’s a solid first step to understanding your mold exposure—and getting control over it.