Q.  How do I test for mold in the water?  I smell mold after I use my dish clothes.  How do I get rid of this? Any information will be helpful [December 24, 2004].

A. Pour a small amount of the moldy-smelling water into a bowl, cup or glass. Then, using a sterile or very clean eye dropper, transfer about 10 drops of the contaminated water onto the surface of one or our do it yourself mold test kits, and watch for mold growth over a 7 day time period. You might want to test the water at different locations, using a different mold test kit [properly marked as to test location] at each different water faucet. Because mold can easily grow in a watery environment, you need to track down the source of the mold growth which might be in the public water system [if you are on city water], or inside a well pressure storage tank if you utilize a well, or in some attached water appliance such as a water softener. The most deadly mold Stachybotrys particularly grows well in a very wet environment.  You would also be wise to use the rest of our ten pack of mold test kits to mold test the air of each room, basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and the outward air flow form each heating/cooling duct register for the possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control test.

Q. Occasionally I get a buildup of what looks like dirt at the bottom and sides of the toilet. Looking closely, I think it is mold. What is the cause of this? Has it got something to do with the water supply? or is it the pipes? [Dec. 29, 2004]

A. Bathrooms tend to have a higher humidity which is very supportive for mold growth. The mold is eating organic dirt/dust which is landing on the toilet. Some molds can even grow in the water on the inside walls of the toilet water supply tank and the toilet bowl itself. You should wash the toilet frequently with Borax laundry detergent, a natural mold cleaner. Of course, your water might be mold contaminated with mold spores contained in the water from mold growth in water supply pipes, water well, water storage tank, water softener, and other water distribution equipment. You can test your water first thing in the morning [prior to other water use] for possible mold contamination by running some water into a cup. Then using a new or sanitized eyedropper, transfer about 10 to 20 drops of water onto the surface of one of our mold test kits, and then watch for any growth over the next 7 days.  You also should investigate this possibility: that your home has elevated levels of airborne mold spores. You can use our do it yourself mold test kits to mold test the air of each room, basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register, to determine the possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control test.

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