bathroom or closet for drying negatives?

[desi8888]

would the closet (which has books) be too dusty? :confused:
thank you?

 

[2F/2F]

I'd call a closet way too dusty. I would steam up a bathroom by running hot water from the shower head for a few minutes, and hang the film in the shower. The steam cuts down on the amount of dust in the air.

 

[desi8888]

makes sense. thanks.

 

[2F/2F]

I should have made it more clear that you should hang the film in the shower after turning the water off, though I am sure you picked up on that.

 

[desi8888]

yes I did pick up on that!

 

[MMfoto]

careful!

Do use the bathroom, and steaming up the room is a great tip...

BUT, avoid the mistake I once made; place a towel on the floor under where the film is dripping... The towel will "dampen" the motion of the droplets when they land and prevent them from splashing.

I had a bad experience once hunging film up in the shower. Water dripping from the film was slightly splashing from the floor of the shower back onto the film. Whatever residue there was on the shower floor, it caused irreparable staining and actually bleached density from the emulsion. Not cool!

 

[jp80874]

Another option I have been using for years is the rolling portable closet or wardrobe with fabric walls and zippered opening. Many companies offer them. Here is an example. http://www.overstock.com/Office-Fur...-Sahara-Storage-Wardrobe/3300230/product.html. Mine came from Bed Bath & Beyond.

Pick one with cotton or canvas walls. Moisture evaporates out. Dust can’t get in. I store mine outside the darkroom in the basement near the furnace. Paper towels are on the floor of the cabinet to stop drips. I hang film strips (35mm -120mm) or film sheets (4x5, 8x10, 7x17) from wire hangers using small binder clips (12, ¾” size to a box) from Office Max.

NO DUST on your film is very nice.

John Powers