vacuuming the darkroom

[cliveh]

How often do you vacuum your darkroom? Did mine today and noticed lots of spider webs and dead flies. Perhaps I should do it more often.

 

[trotkiller]

Back when I had regular access to a darkroom, I would mop the the floor after each time I used it.

Never vacuumed as the floor was often a little wet

 

[David Allen]

Never ever vacuum in a darkroom. You have to understand that the hoover sucks in larger particles that are trapped in the bag/cylinder (depending upon design of the hoover) but the exhaust pumps out tons of micro-dust that you can't see until they get stuck (with a massive magnetic charge due to passage through the hoover mechanism) on to your negatives.

If you must hoover then you need to double earth your hoover but you are still courting untold problems.

Semi-damp wiping of all surfaces including equipment is the most effective.

If you have carpet/rugs in the darkroom get rid of them as soon as possible.

likewise if you have vinyl, lino or concrete on the floor never sweep or hoover it but use a slightly damp mop and clean the mop after every few square metres.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

 

[MattKing]

A built in vacuum with a hose connection in the darkroom but a waste container well removed from the darkroom works well, without David Allen's concerns.

 

[cliveh]

Never ever vacuum in a darkroom. You have to understand that the hoover sucks in larger particles that are trapped in the bag/cylinder (depending upon design of the hoover) but the exhaust pumps out tons of micro-dust that you can't see until they get stuck (with a massive magnetic charge due to passage through the hoover mechanism) on to your negatives.

If you must hoover then you need to double earth your hoover but you are still courting untold problems.

Semi-damp wiping of all surfaces including equipment is the most effective.

If you have carpet/rugs in the darkroom get rid of them as soon as possible.

likewise if you have vinyl, lino or concrete on the floor never sweep or hoover it but use a slightly damp mop and clean the mop after every few square metres.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

David, it's too late, those micro dust particles are now sticking to all my negatives with their massive magnetic charge. All is lost and I can never print again.

 

[David Allen]

A built in vacuum with a hose connection in the darkroom but a waste container well removed from the darkroom works well, without David Allen's concerns.

I have tested this and found that an out hose removed from the darkroom helps a bit but, given that most hoovers are plastic in construction, the charge that the hoover builds up in operation attracts dust to the outer surface which is then released into the air when the hoover is switched off.

When I worked for British High Speed Rail as a photographer I was initially appalled at how dirty and messy the darkroom was. The building's cleaner was banned from coming in to the darkroom and, as a newling, I was told in emphatic terms that I was not EVER allowed to clean the darkroom. The only permissible cleaning was thoroughly cleaning chemical spills (which when dry would turn to powder that could then be released into the air). It was probably the dirtiest darkroom I have worked in but, with no cleaning to disturb the dust, no air intake from outside, it was a period of time when I printed 100s of negatives per day with little to no need for cleaning required. I learnt very quickly that 'let sleeping dogs lie - they will stay where they are' was an appropriate approach to darkroom dirt and dust practice.

Positively charged dust combined with unearthed enlargers are the great enemy - environments, however inherently dirty, that are left in piece to coagulate dust are, surprisingly, the true friend of the photographer.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

 

[cliveh]

I have tested this and found that an out hose removed from the darkroom helps a bit but, given that most hoovers are plastic in construction, the charge that the hoover builds up in operation attracts dust to the outer surface which is then released into the air when the hoover is switched off.

When I worked for British High Speed Rail as a photographer I was initially appalled at how dirty and messy the darkroom was. The building's cleaner was banned from coming in to the darkroom and, as a newling, I was told in emphatic terms that I was not EVER allowed to clean the darkroom. The only permissible cleaning was thoroughly cleaning chemical spills (which when dry would turn to powder that could then be released into the air). It was probably the dirtiest darkroom I have worked in but, with no cleaning to disturb the dust, no air intake from outside, it was a period of time when I printed 100s of negatives per day with little to no need for cleaning required. I learnt very quickly that 'let sleeping dogs lie - they will stay where they are' was an appropriate approach to darkroom dirt and dust practice.

Positively charged dust combined with unearthed enlargers are the great enemy - environments, however inherently dirty, that are left in piece to coagulate dust are, surprisingly, the true friend of the photographer.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/69.521

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

This seems more appropriate to one of the darkroom subforums than "Ethics and Philosophy," unless someone feels an ethical obligation to be mindful of dust particles, so I've moved it to "Enlarging," since that's where dust seems to cause the most trouble.

As for the question, I have a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and the darkroom is small enough that I can cover the whole area with a hose and the attachments and leave the body of the vacuum outside, to prevent recirculation of dust. So far so good in the new space.

 

[Rick A]

I have an air cleaner that runs continuously in my DR, but still vacuum once a week, and damp wipe at least once a month. I haven't had dust issues in years with this method, even when my boxer slept in there while I worked.

 

[winger]

I can't remember the last time I vacuumed my darkroom. I mostly agree with David as I've not had huge dust problems. I will never hang wet film to dry in my darkroom, however. Did that once. When I move back there, I may do a big cleanout and then wet wipe everything before I go back in to use it. I have a hunch I need to do it to evict a bunch of spiders that may have taken up residence. I can handle dust, but I do not need a spider rappelling down on me in the dark. Ick!

 

[paul_c5x4]

I can handle dust, but I do not need a spider rappelling down on me in the dark. Ick!

Get a cat - If it is anything like mine, it will pounce on any spider before it gets anywhere near you. The legs are crunchy, and the soft body makes for a tasty little snack.

In answer to the original question - I will wipe surfaces down with a damp cloth, but I haven't had the darkroom up and running long enough to warrant hoovering.

 

[Rick A]

I can't remember the last time I vacuumed my darkroom. I mostly agree with David as I've not had huge dust problems. I will never hang wet film to dry in my darkroom, however. Did that once. When I move back there, I may do a big cleanout and then wet wipe everything before I go back in to use it. I have a hunch I need to do it to evict a bunch of spiders that may have taken up residence. I can handle dust, but I do not need a spider rappelling down on me in the dark. Ick!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWpz2OYf1QU

 

[NDKodak]

What does double earth mean?

 

[Rick A]

What does double earth mean?

On our side of the pond it means double grounding.

 

[jp80874]

I have an old Electralux canister vacuum with a HEPA filter. I turn on the twin exhaust fans when I vacuum. If this is wrong, it is working quite well. I have very little dust problem.

What is double grounding? I don't suppose it matters for this Electralux as it only has a two prong plug. The DR outlets are all GFI if that helps.

John Powers

 

[Bill Burk]

How often do you vacuum your darkroom?

Whenever I use my vacuum easel.

 

[markbarendt]

How often do you vacuum your darkroom? Did mine today and noticed lots of spider webs and dead flies. Perhaps I should do it more often.

Like you I need to do it more often.

 

[hoffy]

I have tested this and found that an out hose removed from the darkroom helps a bit but, given that most hoovers are plastic in construction, the charge that the hoover builds up in operation attracts dust to the outer surface which is then released into the air when the hoover is switched off.

When I worked for British High Speed Rail as a photographer I was initially appalled at how dirty and messy the darkroom was. The building's cleaner was banned from coming in to the darkroom and, as a newling, I was told in emphatic terms that I was not EVER allowed to clean the darkroom. The only permissible cleaning was thoroughly cleaning chemical spills (which when dry would turn to powder that could then be released into the air). It was probably the dirtiest darkroom I have worked in but, with no cleaning to disturb the dust, no air intake from outside, it was a period of time when I printed 100s of negatives per day with little to no need for cleaning required. I learnt very quickly that 'let sleeping dogs lie - they will stay where they are' was an appropriate approach to darkroom dirt and dust practice.

Positively charged dust combined with unearthed enlargers are the great enemy - environments, however inherently dirty, that are left in piece to coagulate dust are, surprisingly, the true friend of the photographer.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

This is not the first time I have heard this. I remember having a conversation with an old forum member here (chiller), who told me a story about his youth and working in a commercial dark room. Apparently he got quite a bollocking for cleaning the darkroom for the exact same reasons outlined above

As for me, I get rid of anything that might cause an issue, such as webs near the enlarger. I also damp wipe the table top surfaces on the dry side. This seems to work reasonably well.

 

[winger]

Get a cat - If it is anything like mine, it will pounce on any spider before it gets anywhere near you. The legs are crunchy, and the soft body makes for a tasty little snack.

Nope, sorry - hubby and I are both quite allergic to cats. Though a cat would probably also like the centipedes that lurk down there, too. But one spider type that lives there is the Wolf spider. Our (late and very lamented) 100 pound dog, Bear, got bit by a Wolf Spider once and ended up with surgery and a scar on his cheek. The vet said a smaller dog might have died.

Rick - AWESOME song!

 

[Xmas]

If you have 'dust' allergies eg cats you need a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA like a Dyson empty out doors down wind from nose.

Sorry about mutt, (wrong side of pond dog), last thing they like.

 

[cliveh]

I can't remember the last time I vacuumed my darkroom. I mostly agree with David as I've not had huge dust problems. I will never hang wet film to dry in my darkroom, however. Did that once. When I move back there, I may do a big cleanout and then wet wipe everything before I go back in to use it. I have a hunch I need to do it to evict a bunch of spiders that may have taken up residence. I can handle dust, but I do not need a spider rappelling down on me in the dark. Ick!

If you don't want spiders in your darkroom, hang some horse-chestnuts in there.

 

[Xmas]

so you got house trained horsies?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

How often do you vacuum your darkroom? Did mine today and noticed lots of spider webs and dead flies. Perhaps I should do it more often.

I did it about twice a month and my wife called me a dirty pig.

 

[ozphoto]

Never vacuum mine, but regularly wipe down the bench tops after a session and try to mop the floor once a month.

Add to that a "flea/critter" bomb once very 6 months, and I rarely have any multi-legged visitors dropping down from the ceiling to introduce themselves . . . . .