Milking Hygiene & Cleaning: Clean teats, clean milking plant

Milking Hygiene & Cleaning: The routine makes the difference

Hygiene in the parlour is not an extra job, it is part of every milking. If you always work in the same order, you save time and lower the risk of udder infections. In this section you will find everything for teat cleaning before milking, for disinfection between cows and for the thorough cleaning of the milk line afterwards.

Before and after milking

Every teat gets its own cloth. Udder paper or wet wipes pick up the dirt, and drying afterwards matters just as much, because moisture between teat and liner carries germs with it. Once the cluster comes off, the teat dip goes on, often iodine based. It lays a film over the teat canal while it is still open and cares for the skin. Disinfecting the liners between cows breaks the chain from animal to animal, which counts double when you know that individual cows stand out. A waterproof milking apron keeps you dry while you work.

Plant and milk line

After milking, the plant takes its turn. Cleaning sponges run through the milk line and take deposits with them before they settle. Spray nozzles with a brass insert and a cleaning gun help you rinse down the cluster, the floor and the standing area. Make sure no residue stays in the line, because milk stone and biofilm give germs an ideal place to sit. A fixed cleaning interval with a clear order is easier to keep up than the occasional deep clean and holds milk quality steady. Write the steps up where everyone can see them, then relief staff follow exactly the same order. A short checklist by the parlour door keeps the order the same on every shift.

Frequently asked questions

Why a separate cloth for each teat?
With a single cloth you spread germs across all four quarters. Separate cloths break that route.

Does the teat have to be dry?
Yes. Residual moisture runs into the liner and takes germs along. Always dry off after cleaning.

When do I clean the milk line?
After every milking. Cleaning sponges and wash cycles stop milk stone and deposits building up.