Unlock expert dairy knowledge.

Join thousands of dairy professionals accessing the Agmax Milk Quality Handbook. This guide gives you the power to sort your own shed out with practical, proven strategies. Enter your details to unlock this chapter instantly.

We collect your name and email to provide access to premium content and may send you relevant updates. We use trusted service providers to manage all data communications. For more details, please see our Privacy Policy.

Loading...
No results

Chapter 14

Appendix: How to Fully Clean Your Milk Line

Handbook

Appendix: How to Fully Clean Your Milk Line

If your milk line’s got a layer of fat or biofilm sticking around, a rinse and a prayer won’t cut it. You need to properly flush, scrub and sanitise that line so it’s clean from end to end. A dirty milk line is one of the fastest ways to get graded, so don’t let it slide.

What You’ll Need

  • Agmax Alkali

  • Agmax Acid

  • Hot water, starting 85°C

  • Agmax Vat Cleaner (IF high foam required)

  • Clean brush on a flexible pipe or sponge-on-a-rope for manual scrubbing, if needed

  • Gloves and safety gear

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pre-rinse the milk line

  • Flush with cold water to clear milk residue.

  • Let it fully drain before you start the wash cycle.

2. Prepare your detergent solution

  • Use Agmax Alkali as directed.

  • Water temperature should be 85°C to start.

3. Recirculate the solution through the milk line

  • Let it run for 8 minutes.

  • Make sure the solution is reaching all areas. Watch for airlocks or poor flow.

  • If the temp drops below 55°C during the cycle, stop and reheat.

4. Scrub if needed

  • If the line is long or hasn’t been cleaned properly in a while, run a cleaning sponge or brush on a flexible pipe through it.

  • Attach a rope to both ends if needed to pull it through.

  • Don’t skip this if you’ve had a recent grade or you see build-up.

5. Sanitise

  • Run Agmax Acid wash through the milk line after cleaning.

  • Recirculate for at least 8 minutes.

6. Cold rinse

  • Flush with cold compliant fresh water.

  • Make sure all chemical is removed.

  • Let the line drain fully before milking. 

When to Fully Clean Your Milk Line

  • After a milk grade, especially coliform or bactoscan

  • If water temp has been low during previous washes

  • After a long break between milkings

  • If you can see or smell residue in the line

Pro Tips

  • Check for joins, low points, or dips where product can pool

  • Milk lines should drain fully after each wash. If they don’t, inspect for blockages or sagging

  • If you’re unsure whether the line is clean, shine a torch through it. If it reflects, it still needs work