Our Mould Test Kit has been developed to evaluate the relative concentration of mould spores in a specific location (e.g. bedroom, classroom, and/or office) in comparison to the natural environment background.
Concerned about mould in your home? Our Mould Test Kit offers a fast, simple, and reliable way to assess indoor air quality — without the need for specialist equipment or laboratory services.
Easy-to-use with clear, step-by-step instructions
Objective results that help you understand your indoor mould exposure
Includes 4 test plates for multi-room assessment
Compare indoor air quality against outdoor background levels
Ideal for peace of mind in homes with children, allergy sufferers, or visible signs of damp
This test is designed for home evaluation only and is perfect as a first step in identifying potential mould issues.
For professional-grade analysis and a detailed laboratory report, please see our Mould Test Kit Plus.
Our Mould Test Kit is designed for individuals and professionals who need fast, accessible, and reliable insight into potential indoor mould contamination. Whether you're protecting your family, tenants, or clients, this simple kit provides reassurance and actionable information.
If you're noticing damp smells, discolouration on walls, or persistent respiratory issues, this kit allows you to test your home without the need for invasive inspections. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to understand indoor air quality and address possible mould before it becomes a larger problem.
Mould exposure can trigger symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sinus irritation, eye discomfort, or fatigue — particularly in damp environments. If you or a loved one are experiencing unexplained health symptoms, this kit can help identify whether mould spores may be contributing to your condition.
For those suffering from asthma, allergic rhinitis, or other respiratory sensitivities, mould can be a hidden and dangerous trigger. Early detection can support proper treatment and ensure your environment is contributing to recovery — not making things worse.
Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality. If you’re a new parent or caring for a child with allergies, this test gives you clarity and control over your indoor environment — providing peace of mind for your family’s well-being.
Our mould test kit is a practical tool for resolving disputes, fulfilling health and safety responsibilities, or reassuring new tenants about air quality. It's cost-effective, non-destructive, and provides evidence-based results you can rely on.
The kit can also be used as a first-stage screening tool in professional assessments. Whether you're conducting risk surveys, pre-purchase checks, or post-remediation validation, it offers clear data to support your findings and decisions.
Backed by our scientific expertise and decades of experience in indoor environmental quality, our kits are supported by professional-grade analysis and customer support. For those using the Mould Test Kit Plus, laboratory confirmation by qualified analysts is included.
For your convenience, we've prepared a comprehensive Mould Test Kit User Guide available for download below. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to correctly use the kit, prepare your space, collect air samples, incubate the petri dishes, and evaluate your results. It also includes visual examples, safety information, and details on how to interpret colony counts.
Whether you're a first-time user or conducting multiple assessments, this guide ensures you achieve accurate, reliable results with confidence.
If you have any questions or require additional assistance, our customer support team is here to help.
Our Mould Test Kit is designed to help you identify elevated mould spore levels in your indoor environment by comparing them against the natural outdoor background. No specialist knowledge is required — just follow the clear instructions provided.
24 hours before testing, close all windows and doors in the rooms to be sampled.
Avoid vacuuming, airing out the space, or disturbing dust. Remove any plants, pets, or food waste to ensure accurate results.
Place one petri dish outside your property in a sheltered location. This sample provides a reference for naturally occurring mould spores in the environment.
Place the remaining dishes in the rooms you wish to assess.
Mark each dish with the room name and open the lid just before use. Leave the dishes undisturbed for 30 minutes with windows and doors kept closed.
Carefully close and seal each dish after sampling. Incubate the dishes in a warm, dry area (such as a boiler cupboard) for 5 to 10 days.
Mould colonies will begin to grow and become visible during this period.
After the incubation period, compare the number of colonies in the indoor dishes with the outdoor sample:
A significantly higher count indoors may indicate poor air quality or hidden mould contamination.
Refer to the included guide to interpret the level of exposure based on colony counts.
Only count coloured colonies that are larger than 3mm in diameter. Do not count white or slimy colonies, as these are often not relevant to indoor air quality assessment.
If you are looking for laboratory-confirmed results and professional analysis, consider upgrading to our Mould Test Kit Plus.
It would not be possible for an untrained person to identify different mould types just by looking at the dish. Detail microscopic analysis is required. If you require mould identification, contact our laboratory.
If the mould covers the entire dish, it indicates a high concentration of mould spores in the testing environment. Also, some species of mould can develop rather aggressively and cover the dish quickly (2-3 days)
Placing a dish outside provides a control sample, allowing you to compare indoor mould levels to natural, outdoor mould levels. This helps determine if indoor mould concentrations are abnormally high.
Absolutely! First, prepare the area by following pre-test instructions. Next, open the petri dish and expose it to the air for the time recommended. Seal the dish, label it, and incubate as instructed. After the incubation period, compare the results with the reference guide.
Count the number of mould colonies in the dish and compare them to the reference chart in the booklet. A higher number of colonies indoors compared to the outdoor control indicates elevated indoor mould levels. For in-depth interpretations, consult a mould expert.
Close all windows and doors at least 12 hours before conducting the test. This helps capture an accurate representation of the indoor air quality.
Vacuuming can disturb mould spores, artificially increasing their presence in the air. To ensure accurate results, avoid vacuuming for at least 24 hours before the test.
Some indoor plants can harbour mould on their soil or leaves. Removing them ensures they don't influence the test results.
Yes, pets can carry mould spores on their fur or introduce them from outdoors. While they might slightly affect the results, it's essential to consider all potential mould sources.
Use a permanent marker to label each dish with the room's name and the date of the test. This ensures accurate tracking and comparison of results.
A consistent, warm environment, typically around 70-77°F (21-25°C), is ideal. Place dishes in a dark location away from direct sunlight.
Overgrowth typically appears as a dense, uncountable mass of mould. If you observe this before 5 days, it suggests a high concentration of mould spores. Ideally you should count the colonies before this situation occurs.
White or slimy colonies might represent bacteria or other non-mould microorganisms. Focus on distinct mould colonies for accurate results.
Higher indoor mould levels suggest potential mould sources indoors or conditions promoting mould growth, like dampness or poor ventilation.
Seasonal changes can influence mould spore levels due to factors like humidity, temperature, and precipitation. Typically, wetter seasons may show elevated spore counts.
Stachybotrys, commonly known as "black mould," thrives in persistently damp environments. Water damage provides the ideal conditions for its growth.
Observe the colour, texture, and growth pattern. Compare these traits with reference images in the booklet or consult a professional for precise identification.
Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and in some cases, more severe health problems, especially for those with weakened immune systems or mould sensitivities.
While photos can provide a general idea, they may not capture enough detail for precise identification. For a thorough analysis, consider sending a physical sample or consulting a mould expert in person.
Ensure proper ventilation, fix leaks promptly, use dehumidifiers in humid areas, and regularly check for signs of mould, addressing any growth immediately.
© Sysco Environmental 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Returns and Refund Policy | Cookies
Sysco Environmental Ltd. Company # 8388007.
Office Address: Unit 1, Barnsley Road, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 0QN
