Old and Unused C-41 Fixer and Bleach: Keep or Toss?

RedSun · May 15, 2014

I mixed some C-41 fixer and bleach about 1.5 years ago. I used them just once and have been stored in basement. The working solutions are still clear.

Should I just toss them and mix new ones? Or I should keep them and replenish them?

wblynch · May 15, 2014

They should still work. It's the color developer that oxidizes and goes bad quickly.

Even used bleach can be re-oxygenated by shaking vigorously and 'brought back to life'.

Terry Christian · May 15, 2014

They'll still work. I just used some bleach and fixer I mixed up last year and it was still perfectly fine.
As wblynch said, just shake up the bleach.

markbarendt · May 15, 2014

They should be fine.

C-41 fix can also be used for B&W film and paper.

The bleach requires oxygen, put it in a bottle 1/2 full of air, cap and shake like heck, repeat for several days. I do this to the bleach after every run.

EdSawyer · May 16, 2014

THey should be fine, as mentioned.

John Shriver · May 17, 2014

Especially since the bleach is the most expensive part of the C-41 process, don't throw it out.

Old and Unused C-41 Fixer and Bleach: Keep or Toss?

RedSun

wblynch

Terry Christian

markbarendt

EdSawyer

John Shriver

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