Hypo Clearing Agent = Ilford Washaid? I am confused!

[Goncalo]

Hello,

I am confused about these chemicals. Is Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent the same as Ilford Washaid?
Or Ilford Washaid is the same as Kodak Photo -Flo?
Or in another away, is there any substitute for Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent?

Thank you
Best

[Oren Grad]

Ilford Wash Aid is a substitute for Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent.

[Richard Wasserman]

As is Heico Wash Aid. That said I use 1 tablespoon of Sodium Sulfite in a liter of water and mix it fresh for each darkroom session. No shelf life worries...

[Greg]

HYPO REMOVER: 5-10% solution of sodium carbonate or bicarbonate for 5 minutes

For years used PERMAWASH by HEICO, not sure if it is still around though

Richard's 1 tbs of sodium sulfite in 1 liter of water have been using for years. Years ago acquired a case of sealed bottles of sodium sulfite from a state surplus store which will probably be a life supply for me.

[John Layton]

I've been using Perma Wash (Heico) for years...but it gets a little expensive when I'm doing a number of large (30x40 and 40x60) prints. I like the sodium sulfite idea.

[Mark Sampson]

Kodak HCA has a little sodium BI-sulfite in it too... presumably for use with film. Shouldn't make much difference with prints though.

[Jim Jones]

Kodak Photo-Flo reduces surface tension in the final film wash so the water doesn't bead up and dry slow with the possibility of residue on the film due to contaminates in the water. I used it for many decades with distilled water, and wouldn't ever want to develop film without it.

[esearing]

HYPO REMOVER: 5-10% solution of sodium carbonate or bicarbonate for 5 minutes

isn't A&H BakingSoda = sodium bicarbonate? and Washing Soda = Sodium carbonate? You can turn baking soda into washing soda by heating it for 30 minutes. Readily available in Grocery and in bulk at dollar stores.

[Rick A]

Hello,

I am confused about these chemicals. Is Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent the same as Ilford Washaid?
Or Ilford Washaid is the same as Kodak Photo -Flo?
Or in another away, is there any substitute for Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent?

Thank you
Best

Kodak HCA and Ilford Washaid are basically the same.
HCA and "photo-flo" are not the same, photo-flo is a surfactant that allows water to sheet off film for spot free drying. HCA is used to speed up washing fixer residue from film and fiber based prints allowing for water conservation. It is not really necessary for film unless you are using a hardening fixer.
There are several brands of hypo clearing agent aka wash aids.

[Doremus Scudder]

Just to get the vocabulary straight on post-fixing stuff for those not yet in the know:

Wash aid: Helps to displace fixer by-products through ion exchange. Typically used before the final wash. Brand names include Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent, Ilford Washaid and Heico Perma Wash. As mentioned, it's easy to mix your own. I use one Tsp of sodium sulfite and a pinch of sodium metabisulfite (bisulfite) per liter.

Wetting agent: A surfactant to keep water from beading up on the surface of film, typically used as a last step before hanging film to dry (i.e., after the wash). Brand names include Kodak Photo Flo and Ilford Ilfotol.

Disambiguation: "Hypo eliminator" is a term used by Ilford for their wash aid. Kodak used to use the term for a different product that was based on hydrogen peroxide and is no longer recommended. The formula is still out there, however; just don't use it.

Best,

Doremus