Ilford Ilfotol use after expiring date

Standard nonionic detergents like triton x100 and tween20 last “forever”, so maybe this is not a nonionic type. I’d have to look at the formula.

On second glance, the very name suggests it is for washing photos. So it probably has certain additives that may be less stable that the base detergent, just as does Kodak photoflo. I wouldn’t use it just on that basis but many do use photoflo and the like.

I use an Agfa wetting agent taken 20 years ago for the record washer liquid and fearing over the years of having problems I asked those who are interested in photography if the expiration of the product could worry, they said no .... in the limit it loses only a pinch effective after several years but nothing beyond.

FWIW; here are some details:

ILFORD™-ILFOTOL™: This is a wetting agent that is water mixed with a combination of 1-5% of a very efficient nonionic surfactant (likely Stepan™ BIO-SOFT™ N25-7 or N25-9 which is similar to Tergitol 15-S-7 or 15-S-9) and <1% of an antibacterial inhibitor (CMIT) that can extend shelf-life.  This is a good cleaning agent for ultrasonic tanks where the tank bath life if being extended - concentration for use is based on whether or not you are going to use a post DIW rinse.  The CMIT antibacterial inhibitor is very effective (often used in cosmetics and optical solutions) at 15 ppm and less.

KODAK™ PHOTO-FLO 200: This is a wetting agent that is water mixed with a combination of 25-30% propylene glycol (i.e., anti-freeze) that acts as a weak solvent, thickener, and as an antibacterial and antifungal agent and 5-10% nonionic surfactant. The 25-30% propylene glycol makes this very shelf stable, but once mixed if <1% can now accelerate bacteria growth.  The nonionic surfactant by the CAS number is most likely Dow™ Triton™ X-114.  This is not the best solution for cleaning records.  The solution really needs to be rinsed.  The Triton X114 may come out of solution at 25°C/77°F (known as cloud-point) and is a very old and not very efficient surfactant and along with Triton X100 is now banded in EU/UK because of aquatic toxicity and will likely eventually be banded in USA sometime in the future.  The KODAK™ PHOTO-FLO 200 will likely be reformulated in the future - there are other non-ionic surfactants that could easily replace the Triton X114. 

If you are curious and you want more info - read Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records-2nd Edition - The Vinyl Press and then download the book (its free) and read Chapters VIII & IX. 

Really thanks a lot to all, I knew that I was going to get some help from this group and plenty of new info.

Kind regards and stay safe!

Cheers