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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask about mysterious black marks

7 replies

BasketBlocks · 06/01/2022 22:21

We recently had a new kitchen fitted. The old kitchen had solid wood worktops and the new kitchen has marble effect laminate worktops. The new kitchen follows the same basic plan as the old kitchen, it’s not a very big space and not much else you can do with it.

In the year or so before we got the new kitchen we started to notice quite large black marks on a particular area of the worktop. They were circular or “blob” like in shape and looked kind of like ink. The area of worktop was away from the rest of the kitchen at the side of the draining board, above the washing machine. The only thing on the worktop was a small metal bin for food waste.

We were at a complete loss as to what was causing the marks, which also wouldn’t wipe off. It didn’t seem to be caused by the food bin and there was nothing dripping on it from above.

Today I was wiping the new surface in that area and noticed some very faint, very small black dots on the surface. They won’t wipe away and are in the same area as the marks on the old worktops. I’m at a complete loss as to what could be causing them and I’m really worried about them getting bigger, as the others were quite unsightly.

Does anyone have a clue what they could be??

OP posts:
Heruka · 06/01/2022 22:24

Hm, intriguing. We have inherited a kitchen with wood worktops that has black mould staining in places with lots of water like round taps. Is the place it appears above a moist appliance, like the dishwasher, perchance?

BasketBlocks · 06/01/2022 22:29

@Heruka

Hm, intriguing. We have inherited a kitchen with wood worktops that has black mould staining in places with lots of water like round taps. Is the place it appears above a moist appliance, like the dishwasher, perchance?
It is above the washing machine and I’m wondering if that’s the issue.
OP posts:
DerAlteMann · 06/01/2022 22:47

We had something similar on a plasterboard wall next to the washing machine, turned out to be mould growing in the damp atmosphere caused by a leak in the washing machine outflow. The water wasn't making contact, it was making the air in the immediate area damp.

BasketBlocks · 06/01/2022 22:50

Thank you. I think I’ll get the washing machine out tomorrow and have a look around the back and above it.

OP posts:
Lacedwithgrace · 06/01/2022 22:52

Even if you don't see anything, leave the washing machine out for a few days (plug in in another room if possible) and see if the spots reappear

genericusername789 · 06/01/2022 23:02

Is it a washer/drier? If it is, there should be a heat protection sheet under the worktop to stop the moisture.

You can pick the sheets up cheap enough maybe lay it in top of the washer and see if it helps.

BlankTimes · 06/01/2022 23:41

Does the rubber bin have feet with a black surface protector under them?
Is it getting hot from the washer and melting a little bit, then marking the surface?

Have a look at the underneath of the bin whilst the washer is inaction and fairly hot, then see if there's anything sticky under the bin which is transferring to the worksurface.

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