Asked on Apr 16, 2018

What causes black dust on laminate countertop?

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Answered

We moved into our dream home a year ago. The house was built in 1994, I believe the kitchen laminate countertops are original. I wipe the counters at least twice a day and each time the cloth is black. I am embarrassed as it looks as though I don't clean. This is the only counter it happens with. We did replace all of the floors with porcelain tile when we moved in. Could the black still be dust from the floors being installed?

10 answers

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage
on Apr 16, 2018

Do you burn candles? It could be soot from them.

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- Ann|The Apple Street Cottage
  on Apr 17, 2018
  
  I don't know. Are the countertops a dark color?
  
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Janet Pizaro
on Apr 17, 2018

there is soot coming from someplace....fireplace,candles,oil burner

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Laura Cooper
on Apr 17, 2018

Check your furnace filters and duct work. It's possible some of your ductwork isn't sealed properly (they didn't do that in '94) and it's pulling dust from your attic or crawlspace. The air currents may just coincidentally be depositing on that counter where you can see it.

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Kathy
on Apr 17, 2018

Thank you Laura, the furnace and some of ductwork were replaced right after we moved in. I do want to have the old ductwork cleaned.

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- Laura Cooper
  on Apr 17, 2018
  
  Check the filters. They should be replaced every 3 months.
  
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Cindy
on Apr 17, 2018

Hi Kathy, I agree with Laura. You might have an air flow problem. Consider having the old duct work cleaned. My husband used to work in the heating/air industry and he wants me to tell you that 80% of heat/air problems are air flow related. The "dust" might be coming from the old sections being blown by the new. Best of luck to you.

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B. Enne
on Apr 17, 2018

Older laminate counters do not create dust, unless they have been sanded. Other than what the posters mention aboved, was anything spray painted with a darker colour, like the cabinet knobs or light fixtures? It could be residual overspray. Alternatively, maybe the counters were painted...are they textured? it could be the textured fibre coming off.

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Jcraw
on Apr 17, 2018

I’d be tempted to rip up a couple if old T-shirt’s and tape them briefly (couple of days) over any and all vents nearby. If there’s a back door, over the length of the top of that as well. Maybe you can find a specific source.

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- Kathy
  on Apr 17, 2018
  
  Thank you everyone for all of you input. However the only place this is happening is the kitchen countertop. Not the stove, cupboards, microwave or other furniture within the house. I am really baffled by the whole thing.
  
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Jcraw
on May 6, 2018

Where are the kitchen AC vents?

When we got ac, they’d of course put the vents essentially over my sink windows. For the first month the ac was on, I’d get clusters of baby flies. Need I say more?

Another experiment: Tape paper bags under your top cabinets for a few days and see if they collect anything, or if the stuff is still all over your countertop. Wacky, but worth a shot.

The next step would be to hang dollar store tarps all over your kitchen ceiling and see what accumulates and where.

Im so sorry. Your problem would make me crazy.

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Jessica Brandt
on Dec 27, 2019

Hi Kathy-

I am having the exact same issue. Did you ever come to a solution?

Thanks,

Jessica

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Sylvia
on Mar 16, 2020

I have old laminate counters and every time I use a stainless steel bowl on them or aluminum foil, they leave a thin layer of black dust on the counter. What causes that?

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What causes black dust on laminate countertop?

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