Washing the film with soap

[pentaxuser]

I think the OP might have seen one of those instructional videos wherein the person developing the film is using washing-up liquid instead of a wetting agent such as Ilfotol or Photoflo when rinsing the film. I've come across several sources that claim that the two are interchangeable.

They certainly are not interchangeable. I have tried a whole bottle of Ilfotol and Photoflo on my dirty plates and cutlery and still they were not clean. I spent so much on this stuff that I believe I made it possible for the former Harman management to sell Ilford for a profit

pentaxuser

 

[mklw1954]

Use of hypo clear and PhotoFlo probably won't add even a penny to the cost of developing a roll so it's foolish not to use them.

There's plenty of information on developing from the film and chemical manufacturers and good forums like APUG. I wouldn't rely on Youtube videos as anyone can put up anything. I saw one genius demonstrating E6 development and chemicals were spilling all over his kitchen counter and floor and no gloves or goggles were worn.

 

[Harry Stevens]

Old thread but I looked up ingredients a long while back and the differences where nothing more than a bit of smelly and anti bacteria in minuscule amounts, I have used dish soap since the 80s 2 drops a litre. In the good old days before rip off became a norm Jessops UK use to sell 500ml bottles of wetting agent for 50p........They also rip gardeners off as well the profits must be massive .

 

[Wallendo]

Not all locations require a wetting agent. I haved moved twice since I began developing my own film and have had to modify may washing technic each time.

The first house had well water and did well with Ilfotal per Ilford instructions.
I moved to a home with municipal water and found that my old technic left soap spots. Despite trying varying concentrations of Ilfotol, I eventually found that a soak in distilled water was all that was required.
I moved again to a home with very hard well water, and with much experimentation, found that a soak in distilled water with two drops of Edwal LFN and a wipe with a soft cloth is required.

I do agree with the others that wetting agent is so cheap, there is no reason to use anything else.