Detergent Containters for Chemicals?

[BOSS565]

Is there a reason not to use laundry detergent containers is they are throughly cleaned for darkroom chemicals? Some of those large ones that sit on the shelf with the push pour spot seem like they would do nicely. What do you think?

 

[Dave Parker]

I don't know that I would trust them, even if washed out throughly, all plastics absorb what ever they contain, I would not take the chance with my chems, I don't mix chem bottles either, it starts out for one thing and that is what I continue to use it for until I replace it.

R.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I'll second that -- I don't know how you'd go about verifying the original detergent was completely removed. In addition, the plastics used are usually less desirable in terms of permeability; they're usually LDPE or HDPE, which are more permeable than PET.

I use glass jars with cam-lock, rubber sealed lids that originally held pickles, jalapeno slices, relish, and so forth. They're clear, but they're glass, and they're free (since I'm eating the original contents anyway). A trip through the dishwasher, and they're ready for chemicals -- sometimes the machine even takes the labels off.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

www.usplastic.com has all sorts of plastic containers..
The kind with spigots too. Their prices are, well.. pricey I think but they have the biggest selection I have seen.

I agree with both posters above. I used to drink a lot, and would use empty Jim Beam bottles for chemicals. Those glass handled bottles are great.
Now that I don't drink so much, it's back to 1gal. juice containers

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Donald and Phillip hit the nail on the head.
Try to look for glass bottles in all the wrong places. For instance, I asked my local apple cider guy if he had any old glass laying about (now uses plastic). I ended up with 12 old smoked glass 1 gallon jugs he had stashed in his barn. Farmers don't toss anything out.

Mike

 

[firecracker]

I use enough of liquid chemicals (from developer to hypo-clear/wash-aid), and I have some empty plastic bottles sitting around in my darkroom.

They can take 1 liter each and are good for storing used chemicals for 8x10" prints.

The thing is, until I thought about the reuse of these bottles, I was always throwing them away.

 

[juan]

I've used some of the detergent bottles for short term storage with no apparent ill effects. First, I washed them throughly, then filled them with water and let them sit for a week to soak out the detergent. I now use them for storage of fixer or toner that I will be using over the course of a few days. Anything I store longer I put in glass.

I think the detergent has washed out - and if it hasn't, I doubt the small amount remaining would hurt. But I agree that the type of plastic is not condusive to long term storage, and I would not use them for developer.
juan

 

[Jim Jones]

My T-Max developer working solution is stored in a plastic soft drink bottle, and is good after months at room temperature. Diluted stop bath is stored (appropriately) in an old glacial acetic acid jug. The big jugs for Kodak Rapid Fixer concentrate are great for working solutions of fixer. Long ago I used milk jugs, but they are too fragile. Windshield washer fluid jugs were better. I do have some nice brown glass bottles with plastic caps that originally held enbalming fluid, but the plastic jugs are lighter.

 

[Kirk Keyes]

I don't know that I would trust them, even if washed out throughly, all plastics absorb what ever they contain, [...]

I would wash them out with a little detergent first before I use them.

 

[Wayne]

I have used detergent bottles with the tops cut off and handles left on for mixing chemicals for years, with no apparent ill effects. I agree there are much better ways to store chemicals. I now use one liter wide-mouth pop bottles for developer, so I can squeeze the air out.

Wayne

 

[Ed Workman]

I've got a bunch of big ones saved for use. The worst that can happen is foamy whatever if they are not rinsed enough. Laundry soap is usually rather viscous so washing it all out can take awhile. Detergent is just a colored gooey form of photoflo.
When I mixed my film and printing solutions from powders I recycled bottles from Diazo machines-basically like househld ammonia. I admit I didn't try to use them for developer, but fixer and washing aid did not suffer a bit. For developer I used 1 gallon glass jugs from apple juice. Now the only glass jugs I can find in the grocery are small apple juice bottles, and I save those to keep Xtol in.

 

[Monophoto]

I have no qualms at all about storing fxer or toners in plastic containers. And some detergent containers are handy for darkroom storage. I have generally tried to avoid storing developers in plastic because some plastics can breathe.

Of course, the paradox here is that it is nearlly impossible today to purchase developer concentrates in glass conainers unless you go to speciality houses like B&S or Formulary.

The containers that most household liquids come in generally can be cleaned sufficiently for darkroom storage. Rinse them out - fill them with water and let them sit for a few days (or weeks if you are really concerned). Take the labels off to make sure that you can't confuse fixer for diet soda (the taste may not be a dependable clue!). Recycling makes a lot of environmental sense, and it can save you a few bucks.

The only containers that I would avoid are those that contain petroleum-based liquids - solvents like paint thinner, engine oil, etc.

 

[vet173]

I would wash them out with a little detergent first before I use them.

ROFLMAO

 

[tpersin]

for small quantities i've used grolsch beer bottles with the ceramic caps. holds 16oz... which works well for 8x10 and small trays...

Tom
www.f295.org

 

[Doug Webb]

I use the brown plastic bottles from hydrogen peroxide containers that I buy locally from a grocery store for storing stock solution XTOL. I use a fair amount of hydrogen peroxide around the house and the brown plastic bottle with hydrogen peroxide in it is cheaper than buying the brown plastic bottles empty from a retailer and there is no shipping charge. Adequately rinsed, these work fine, hold about 1 liter and I have had none of the so called XTOL failures with storage in these bottles filled to the top with no air space. I don't store other mixed chemicals, so I just keep other chemicals in the original containers.
Doug Webb