What causes black dust on laminate countertop?

Question

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?

Ann|The Apple Street Cottage · Answer

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

Janet Pizaro · Answer

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

Laura Cooper · Answer

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.

Kathy · Answer

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.

Cindy · Answer

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.

B. Enne · Answer

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.

Jcraw · Answer

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.

Jcraw · Answer

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.

Jessica Brandt · Answer

Hi Kathy-

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

Thanks,

Jessica

Sylvia · Answer

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?

What causes black dust on laminate countertop?

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What causes black dust on laminate countertop?

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