Ilford Antistaticum cloth (aka "orange cloth") - how do you use it?

[pbo]

As I recently caught a rangefinder bug with a Koni-Omega and a Bessa-R systems, I am now developing and scanning quite a bit of film - and I am having problems with dust.
I did some research online and found some people recommending Ilford Antistaticum - the cloth that supposedly helps a lot with dust on negatives.
So, here I have it, and I do not know how to use it! I tried wiping it directly on the negative - but it just seems to put on some more dust. Any of you know how to effectively use this thing?

p.s. My first post!

 

[Particular]

Good question. I got it as well recently, but have not tested it extensively. The idea is that you wipe down the negs and it will reduce the static charge on the negative. Supposedly it is picking up the dust too. When I tried it I found the dust reduced, but not eliminated. I'd be interested in hearing other experiences.

 

[pbo]

About reducing static - that's what I thought, too, since the name of the cloth suggests that. I suppose I should wipe the neg and then use the blower to blow off dust, then..? My cloth doesn't seem to be picking up dust by itself.

 

[Colin Corneau]

You can help yourself by reducing the dryness in the room you're working in -- get a humidifier and dust the area regularly, also.

I usually use the cloth, and then give a quick toot with a blower brush or canned air. I also wipe down the surfaces used -- either the scanner & holders, or the neg holder if I'm wet printing.

 

[ibcrewin]

I have to give big props to the ilford antistatic cloth. I think it makes a huge difference. It won't do anything for drying marks, but I really think it reduces the loose dust threads you find on some negs.

I give my negative a quick pass and blow them with a rocket blower. I'll also wipe the scanner glass down and blow that out too.

 

[MC JC86]

+1 for just wiping it with a clean part of the cloth and then blowing it with either compressed/canned air (be careful not to get any of the propellant outta the bottle) or a bulb/rocket type blower. Storing the cloth in a plastic bag such as the one it came in helps too as well.