Designing Your Cleaning Routine

You've got the chemistry. You've got the factors. Now it's time to bring it all together in a cleaning routine that works. One that's effective, efficient, and won't waste your water, detergent or sanity.

There's no one-size-fits-all plan, but there are non-negotiables. All Agmax customers get a cleaning routine tailored to their farm, plant, vat and their way of working.

Here's how to build a cleaning routine that punches above its weight. 

Daily & Weekly Best Practice

Consistency is king. Slack off, and the bugs move in.

Every milking, you should:

• Start with a cold compliant fresh water rinse (20L per cluster)

• Follow with your hot detergent wash (10L per cluster, recirculated)

• Wash with cold acid after every alkali wash

• Final rinse with cold compliant fresh water (5-10L per cluster)

Weekly minimums:

• 3x hot alkali washes (best done in the morning)

• All other morning washes hot acid

• Night cleans: Cold acid wash and a fresh water flush

On water exclusion? Use 5 ml chlorine per 100L water.

This routine keeps your gear clean, milk safe, and your grades out of the danger zone.

Morning vs Night

Time of day makes a difference.

Morning washes are best for hot water washes. Think alkali.

Night washes still need to clean, not just rinse. Use acid with a cold-water wash for a sanitising effect.

The Acid/Alkali Schedule

They do different jobs. You need both.

Acid:

• Removes mineral deposits (like iron, manganese, calcium, silica) 

• Sanitises the surface 

• Can be used hot or cold 

Alkali: 

• Targets fat and protein (milk soil)

• Needs hot water (above 85°C minimum)

• Usually contains caustic soda and chlorine - short but powerful sanitising effect

Never use alkali cold. It's a waste.

Best combo:

• Morning= Hot alkali wash

• Night = Cold acid wash

• Always follow alkali with a cold acid wash to remove residue

Rinses, Recirculation & Water

Yes, your water matters.

• Use cold, compliant fresh water for your rinse 

• Recirculate detergent solutions for 8 minutes to get proper contact time.

• Don't forget the acid wash after alkali - it neutralises residue and boosts your sanitising

power.

Skip-a-step? Prepare for a grade.

Pro tip: Preheat the plant to reduce temp loss. Dump the first 50-100L of water before recirculating. Keeps your detergent mix hotter, longer.

The Routine, Summed Up

Here's a no-BS version of what a solid routine looks like:

That’s it. Easy to remember. Hard to mess up. Gets results.