*Affiliate links & codes are used throughout this post; please see disclaimer at footer and thank you for your support.
I screened my home for mold the most economical way possible that I know -- EC3 Mold Screening Test Plates! It takes an hour to do the test and five days for the results and that's it! It does not tell what kind of mold, that is a different kind of test. However, with the screening, it does show where mold may be an issue. The supportive directions included with purchase and found on their website also help interpret if mold may be an issue based on the number of colonies present. I started off by testing the two areas of the home we spend the most time in: the family room and our bedroom. The pretest is done just like the post test and I pretested before I was using EC3 Mold Solution Spray and the EC3 Air Purification Candles regularly (and they recently came out with a beeswax formula!). The results are really a surprise to me, especially because it was before I fogged -- which is something I try and do about once a month for mold vigilance--more to come on this soon.
Here I show a labeled and dated plate (make sure not to skip this step!) I am placing in the same location as the pretest for an hour.
Then, the plates are taped and wrapped in foil and I like to label the outside of the bag as well, and left to incubate for five days.
After five days, I took the foil off to reveal the results.
LOOK AT THESE RESULTS!
The pretest (left) with several colonies on each test location. Thinking the white fuzz is caused from humidity levels. The posttest (right) is jaw-dropping! Yes, I did get a humidity status checker, but wow! Those results are from spritzing EC3 Mold Solution Spray (that I sometimes make from the EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate) on pillows, carpets, couches, bedding, etc as often as I remembered - I tried every day, but I did not remember everyday--and from burning EC3 Air Purification Candles approximately one hour about every other day!
In testing my home, my main goal was to answer the question: Do we need to address a mold situation? After reviewing the results, it's clear to me that in my home, a little mold vigilance goes a LONG way!
To read about other posts I've done highlighting Micro Balance Health Products (the makers of these test plates and more), check out these posts:
The plates may also be used using a tap test method to test carpets, clothing, etc...not just air like I showed here. Use my affiliate code: SATIATEDBLONDE on checkout (not applicable on EMMA test kits). Are you as surprised by these results as I am? Tell me in the comments and as always, #GetSatiated.
