how can I clean old photographic slides?

Answer 1

Here is an excerpt from a professional photo restoration site on how to clean slides. But I will have to add, that if these slides have been stored improperly, and the emulsion is cracking or peeling, don't attempt to clean them, but instead have them scanned and digitally restored.
Usually, a slide cleaning project will amount to a lot of effort just to move the dirt around on the slide. Take into consideration that the film is stuck in a recessed area of the slide carrier. You really can't effectively remove the dirt no matter how much cleaning fluid that you use. You are mainly just moving it to the edges of your film. In order to really clean the film, you should peal the cardboard carrier apart and take the film out and clean it that way. That is the only way that you will be able to get all the dirt off the film. If you have hundreds of or thousands of slides, this is not very practical. Personally speaking, we would just leave our slides alone, if we were doing our own slides. If you are determined to clean your 35mm slides, we can recommend some products that might work for you.
We see slides, every day, that would be greatly improved with a simple light brushing with a very soft cloth. We would recommend the Fellows "Perfect Clean" cloth simply because it works good. We do not sell it so please do not call to ask us. (You can purchase these cloths at OfficeMax or other office supply stores, among others. You will have to be the judge as to whether this is a good cleaning method for your slides. You have to be careful that there is nothing abrasive on the film or you will scratch it. Just imagine if there were sand on the film and it wouldn't matter how soft your cloth was. It is good for brushing off loose dirt but don't scrub with it. Do a test on one of your slides that may not be one that you will miss if it gets damaged.

If you are determined to do the slide cleaning, never clean film with a water based cleaner or water . Water will emulsify the dyes on the film and you will rub the image right off the film.

Use a cleaner made for film. Naphtha can be used, as can pure alcohol. Avoid rubbing alcohol since it often contains water. The fumes are dangerous so use with proper ventilation. Film cleaner can be applied with a clean soft cotton cloth. Use a soft fabric combined with very light pressure to avoid creating scratches. If the contamination or residue is actually embedded in the emulsion, cleaners won't solve the problem.

Below, you will see an example of slide cleaning gone bad. This customer would have been better off to leave the slide alone than to ruin it. Look at the outer edges to see what the center looked like before the "cleaning."

Some people use Kodak Film Cleaner which contains heptane and 1,1,2 trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. You can moisten surgical cotton or an old cotton t-shirt with this cleaner and gently draw it across the slide or negative. Let the cleaner evaporate and blow off any cotton fibers with compressed photographic gas (e.g. Dust-Off). You should be able to get the liquid cleaner and compressed gas at any good camera store.

Answer 2

For a solution you can live with, purchase a chamois cloth and gently rub the slide surfaces. Go easy! The oil from your skin ( nose/forehead is a secret lab folks have used for years to help remove finger prints ,etc. !) will help to loosen black spots/tar on slides. Be sure to clean the slde well before storage.
If the slides appear to have fungus or mold be careful. They actually feed on the photographic emulsion, and when "cleaned" there is no image left behind.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

How To Clean 35mm Slides

Answer 5

get either a can of compressed air, or a blower brush for the dust (ask at any decent camera shop). After that, an alcohol wipe can be used on the side WITHOUT THE EMULSION ON IT (look at an angle by a light, if it's all glossy, use on that side, if there's sort of an image and matt bits, DON'T). After that, rinse with water (not hot!) for a hour or so.

Answer 6

wash them with a light soap and rinse well without rubing

Answer 7

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