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

[RedSun]

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]

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]

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]

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]

THey should be fine, as mentioned.

 

[John Shriver]

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