How long to powder chemicals last?

[thisismyname09]

I just got a bunch of darkroom stuff for $5, including a ton of powder developer (dektol) and fixer (kodak universal fixer). The containers look at least 20 years old, are they still good?

 

[thisismyname09]

Also, I've got some film cleaner and undiluted stop bath. they're both liquid, but I've read that stop bath, simply being an acid, should last for a rather long time, but i'm not sure about the film cleaner.

 

[fschifano]

The very old metal cans kept the contents fresh for a long time. The old style bags, not so. The new style Mylar bags might be ok, but they haven't been on the market that long so who knows? The stop bath will be fine. It has an indefinite shelf life. The film cleaners I've seen are volatile solvents. They'd be fine too as long as all the highly volatile components are still there and haven't evaporated out. Fixer might be good. Mix it up and if it smells like sulfur, it's at least starting to turn. It might work, or it might not. Depends on how far gone it is.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I have used pretty old Dektol, never had a problem as long as the powder was still white and still a powder. I would go ahead and give it a try as long as it looks good.

 

[Removed Account]

I had a friend in the same spot, including some canned Dektol. It was kind of the colour of brown sugar and when mixed looked a bit like pond water. Still developed prints just fine! I would test it before using it on film, but it is probably good.

 

[nworth]

It depends on the chemicals. If kept well sealed and dry, something like Dektol or DK-60a will keep just about forever. Glycin becomes unusable after a couple of years, but few others have poor shelf lives if kept sealed, cool, and dry.

 

[RobertV]

I have got a can of Microdol-X (for 600ml) together with an Agfa Isolette camera. I think they are both of the same age: End 50's beginning 60's.
If I shake the can with Microdol-X you can hear the powder.

Do you think the Microdol-X (maybe 40-50 y.o.) can be still used?

 

[fschifano]

Open it up and find out. But you know, I have a couple of cans of the stuff of about the same vintage. I'm leaving them as is. Fresh stuff is cheap, and the cans have more value as collectibles to me.