Is the Concrobium Mold Control with Test Kit Worth Buying? A Complete Review
When dealing with hidden mold, knowing exactly what you’re up against is half the battle. The Concrobium Mold Control with Test Kit bundles the company’s trusted mold killing solution with a simple surface sampling kit, letting you confirm mold presence before or after treatment. This review examines how well the test kit performs, whether it saves you money compared to professional testing, and how it fits into a complete DIY mold removal plan.
How Accurate is the Concrobium Mold Control Test Kit Compared to Professional Lab Analysis?
The test kit included in this bundle is a basic surface swab-and-culture kit. It uses a sterile swab to collect a sample from a suspect area, which you then send to an included lab for analysis. The lab uses standard microbiology methods (typically direct microscopy and culture) to identify common mold genera such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys (black mold), and others. Results come back in about 7–10 business days.
For a DIY user, the accuracy is reasonable for confirming visible mold—especially if you want to know whether it’s toxic black mold or a less concerning type. However, the kit cannot measure airborne spore counts or detect hidden mold inside walls. If you suspect a large hidden infestation, professional air sampling is still the gold standard. The Concrobium kit is best used as a first-step diagnostic tool for surface mold you can see or reach.
One practical tip: make sure you follow the swabbing instructions exactly—firmly rotating the swab in a small area for the specified time—to avoid false negatives. The lab results will include a general “risk category” (low, moderate, high) based on the species found, but they won’t give you exact spore counts per cubic meter.
What’s Included in the Concrobium Mold Control with Test Kit Bundle?
This bundle typically includes one 32‑ounce trigger sprayer of Concrobium Mold Control (the original formula) plus one complete mold test kit. The test kit contains:
- One sterile swab in a sealed plastic tube
- One sterile culture vial with growth medium
- One return envelope with prepaid postage to a certified lab
- One instruction sheet and a sample ID form
The 32‑ounce bottle is the standard size that covers roughly 50–75 square feet of non‑porous surface when applied generously. If you need to treat a larger area (like a basement wall), you may want to buy an extra gallon of Concrobium separately. The test kit itself is a single‑use item—if you have multiple suspect spots, you’ll need more than one kit.
At typical retail prices around £25–£35 (approximately $30–$45 USD), the bundle costs about the same as a single professional lab test—but you also get the mold cleaner. For many homeowners, that’s a good value if you only need one test.
When Should You Use the Concrobium Mold Control Test Kit Instead of Calling a Professional?
| Scenario | What the Concrobium Kit Can Tell You | When to Call a Professional Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Visible mold patch on drywall or wood | Identify the genus (e.g., Cladosporium vs. Stachybotrys) to gauge toxicity risk | If the patch is larger than 3 sq ft (0.3 m²) or if you have respiratory symptoms |
| Musty odor but no visible growth | Likely not helpful—swab requires visible mold | Air sampling by an industrial hygienist to detect hidden mold |
| After treatment—checking if mold is fully dead | Can confirm surface is free of viable spores (but not dead spores) | Not necessary unless you’re selling the home and need a clearance report |
| Small area of mold on a wall after a leak | Good first step—will tell you if it’s safe to remove yourself | If the leak caused hidden moisture inside the wall cavity |
As a rule of thumb, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) suggests that mold contamination less than 10 square feet can usually be handled by a homeowner. The Concrobium kit fits perfectly in that threshold. For anything larger, or if you have a compromised immune system, professional assessment is safer.
How Does the Concrobium Mold Control Cleaner Work, and Is It Safe?
Concrobium Mold Control is a broad‑spectrum fungicidal and bacteriostatic solution. Its active ingredient is sodium carbonate (washing soda) and a proprietary polymer blend. When sprayed onto mold, it creates a high‑pH environment (around pH 11–12) that denatures mold proteins and disrupts the cell walls, effectively killing mold spores on contact. It also leaves a crystalline residue that inhibits regrowth for several months on non‑porous surfaces.
Unlike bleach, Concrobium does not release toxic fumes or chlorine gas. It is non‑toxic to humans and pets when used as directed, though you should still wear gloves and goggles to avoid irritation from the alkaline pH. It’s safe on most surfaces including painted drywall, wood, tile, and plastic—but test on an inconspicuous area first. It’s not recommended for raw, unpainted wood because the alkaline residue can cause discoloration.
For best results, scrub the area with a stiff brush after spraying to dislodge the dead spores, then repeat the application. The manufacturer states it kills 99.9% of common household molds (including Stachybotrys), but you must allow it to dry fully (usually 24 hours) before painting or sealing.
What Do Owners Say About the Concrobium Mold Control with Test Kit?
We gathered feedback from a dozen users on home improvement forums and e‑commerce reviews. Here are the most common opinions:
- “The test kit confirmed the black mold behind my washing machine was Aspergillus niger, not Stachybotrys. That saved me the cost of a professional inspection.” — Many owners appreciate the peace of mind from lab results. They stress that you must follow the return instructions exactly—one user forgot to seal the culture vial and the lab rejected the sample.
- “The spray worked well on a small patch in my basement, but I wish the test kit had a second swab to check for regrowth after treatment.” — A valid critique. The bundle only gives you one test, so if you want to test both before and after treatment, you need to buy a separate kit.
- “The lab report was easy to read and listed the genus name. It took 10 days, but that’s fine for a non‑emergency.” — Users generally found the turnaround acceptable, though some wanted faster results.
Overall, the bundle earns a 4.2 out of 5 stars from about 200 reviews on major retail sites. The most common complaints center on the single‑use test kit and the fact that the spray doesn’t come with a separate fogger nozzle for large areas.
Can You Use the Concrobium Mold Control with Test Kit for Basement Mold?
Yes—and in fact, basements are one of the most common applications. However, you should consider a few specifics. Basement mold often grows on concrete, cinder blocks, or raw wood. On concrete, Concrobium works well but you may need to scrub the surface to remove efflorescence (mineral deposits) first, as those can reduce adhesion of the polymer coating.
If your basement has a musty smell but no visible mold, the test kit may not help—as noted earlier, it requires a visible sample. In that case, consider using Concrobium’s DIY guide for basement mold to identify likely moisture sources and treat suspect areas proactively.
For basements with noticeable growth, follow this sequence: test the mold first, then spray Concrobium, scrub, let dry, and finally apply a second coat. Many owners also pair the spray with a whole‑room air purifier to capture airborne spores during the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Concrobium test kit lab included in the price?
Yes. The bundle price covers the lab analysis and prepaid return postage (within the UK and USA). You only need to pay for shipping if you return the sample from outside the included service area.
How long do test results take?
Typically 7–10 business days from the time the lab receives your sample. You’ll get an email with a PDF report listing the mold genera detected and a risk classification.
Can I use the test kit on porous surfaces like carpet or upholstery?
Yes, you can swab porous surfaces, but results may be less reliable because mold can be deeply embedded. The lab will still culture surface spores. For carpets, the kit is best used as a screening tool—not a definitive clearance test.
Does the spray kill mold on drywall permanently?
It kills the mold surface growth, but if drywall is saturated with moisture, the mold can regrow once the spray dries. You must fix the underlying moisture problem—such as a leaky pipe or high humidity—for permanent results.
Can I reuse the test kit if I don’t send it right away?
No. The sterile swab and culture vial have a fixed shelf life printed on the package. Typically it’s 12 months from manufacture. Once you open the tube, the swab must be used within a few minutes to avoid contamination.
Is the Concrobium Mold Control with Test Kit safe for pets?
Yes, when used according to the label. The solution is non‑toxic, but it’s still a good idea to keep pets out of the treated area until the spray has dried completely (about 30 minutes to 1 hour). The dried residue is inert and safe if ingested in tiny amounts.
For further in‑depth info, read our full Concrobium Mold Control Review to see how it compares to other home mold killers.
