Why waste water? Use the Ilford Archival Wash Method

After processing your film or printing paper, it is necessary to remove the chemicals from the photographic material. Mostly the fixer will remain, specifically the thiosulphate. While removing this is imperative for the longevity of the material, a small amount must remain for archival qualities. The Ilford method extracts the most thiosulfate for the least water, leaving just enough to ensure long life. Check out the paper at the Ilford site (PDF) describing the complete Ilford Archival Wash Method for most silver-based films and papers.

A brief description of the Ilford method for film developed in a spiral tank (including most roll films) taken from the previously mentioned document reads as follows:
• After fixing, [drain and -ed] fill the spiral tank with water at the same temperature, +/- 5ºC (9ºF), as the processing solutions. Invert the tank 5 times.
• Drain the water away and refill. Invert the tank 10 times.
• Once more, drain the water. Invert the tank twenty times and drain the water away.
• Finally rinse with a few drops of ILFORD ILFOTOL Wetting Agent (1:200) added to the rinse water.

This method works because the concentration of fixer in the film emulsion decreases rapidly with each change of water. Your blogger has used this method successfully for years. Checkout the data sheet from Ilford for complete details including washing RC and Fibre-Based prints.