Why Cleaning Visible Mould Isn’t Enough - The Hidden Danger of Mycotoxins in New Zealand Homes
- Anna-Carina Schmidt
- Nov 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Many Kiwis assume that once visible mould has been cleaned, their home is safe again. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Even after professional mould removal, toxic mycotoxins ( the invisible chemical by-products of mould) can linger in your indoor air and on surfaces, continuing to affect your health and wellbeing.
These microscopic toxins often explain why people still experience symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or sinus irritation long after the visible mould is gone.
What Are Mycotoxins & Why do they matter?
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain moulds during their growth cycle. They’re essentially the “chemical residue” left behind, invisible, odourless & incredibly persistent.
Unlike mould spores, mycotoxins don’t need moisture to survive. Once released into your environment, they can settle in carpets, bedding, dust, insulation, or HVAC systems, remaining active for years. This is why mould removal alone doesn’t guarantee clean air.
Where Do Mycotoxins Come From?
Mycotoxins often develop in buildings affected by leaks, flooding, poor ventilation, or long-term dampness. Even if your home looks clean today, past water damage may have left behind chemical contamination that isn’t visible.
New Zealand’s humid climate makes this especially common, particularly in older or poorly ventilated homes that weren’t professionally dried or tested after previous water damage.
Common Signs Your Indoor Air May Be Contaminated
Many people sense something is “off” in their home long before they can identify it.
Symptoms of possible mycotoxin exposure include:
Persistent headaches or brain fog
Sinus congestion, shortness of breath, or chronic coughing
Unexplained fatigue or dizziness
Difficulty concentrating or poor sleep
Because everyone reacts differently, some people may experience severe symptoms while others in the same household feel fine, making it easy to overlook environmental causes.
Why Mould Cleaning Alone Isn’t Enough
Mould removal tackles the biological problem (the visible growth), but not the chemical contamination. Mycotoxins are invisible and can remain long after the mould is gone, embedded in dust, fabric, or air circulation systems. Without professional mycotoxin testing, it’s impossible to confirm whether your home or workplace is truly safe.
Professional Mycotoxin Testing in NZ
At MYKES, we specialise in independent indoor air quality testing, including Airborne Mycotoxin Environmental Analysis (AMEA). This advanced analysis measures:
Whether mycotoxins are present
Which types are detected
Their concentration in breathable air
Our results provide clarity and peace of mind, helping you understand whether lingering contamination is affecting your home, workplace, or health. MYKES testing is independent and non-conflicted, we don’t sell remediation services, so our only goal is to give you accurate, unbiased data.
Mould Testing vs. Mycotoxin Testing
Standard mould testing identifies which types of mould spores are present, but it cannot detect mycotoxins. Since a single mould species can produce several different toxins (and multiple moulds can release the same ones), relying on mould testing alone gives an incomplete picture.
For a true understanding of your indoor environment, MYKES recommends combining:
Mould speciation testing
Airborne mycotoxin testing (AMEA)
Indoor air quality analysis
This approach identifies both biological and chemical contaminants, giving you the full story.
The Bottom Line
If you can see or smell mould, your air is already compromised. But even if the visible mould is gone, mycotoxins can continue to circulate unseen. That’s why professional air quality testing is essential, not only to confirm mould removal was effective but to ensure your indoor air is genuinely safe.
Protect Your Home and Health with MYKES
MYKES provides independent testing for mould, mycotoxins, asbestos, and general indoor air quality across New Zealand. Our mission is to deliver clear, science-based insights, not sell remediation, so you can make confident decisions about your home, workplace, or health.
Book your mycotoxin test or indoor air quality assessment today! Get reliable answers, not assumptions.
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