Dairy Cows in a Milking Structure

Milking Parlor Cleaning

A milking parlor is high-traffic area that's susceptible to spreading pathogens. Surfaces, milking parlor equipment and facilities and holding areas need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to maintain animal health and hygiene. Without proper milking parlor cleaning products and protocols, dairy farm productivity is at risk. 

When you partner with Ecolab for milking parlor cleaning, you benefit from our expertise in specific approaches and our knowledge of biosecurity best practices that are crucial for the health of your animals and farm.

Milking Parlor Equipment Hygiene

Contact surfaces of milking and cooling equipment are a main source of milk contamination and are frequently the cause of high bacterial counts. Proper sanitation of milking equipment helps control bacterial control in milk. These cleaning and disinfecting routines can virtually eliminate this source of contamination for milking parlor equipment.

Close up of milking equipment

Milking Machines

A rotating combination of an alkaline cleaner and an acid product for pipes and tanks will vary the pH and stress bacteria, slowing their development. An alkaline product removes fats and proteins (organic material). It’s formulated to clean and disinfect pipes and tanks. An acid cleaner removes calcium and iron deposits built up by the minerals in water and milk. An Ecolab milking parlor expert can advise on application and protocols.

Cleaning routine for the milking machine:

  1. Disconnect from the tank and remove the milk filter
  2. Rinse clusters and set up for cleaning routine
  3. Pre-rinse immediately after milking (before cooling down) with lukewarm water
  4. Wash with water that is 65–80°C/149–176°F for 5–10 minutes
  5. Flush with cold water until all chemical residues are removed
Cluster Cleaning

Cluster Disinfection

Cluster disinfection during milking eliminates cross-contamination. A cow that is infected means decreased production, but also a risk of cross-contamination during the milking process. The cluster should be disinfected after a high-risk cow is milked.

Robotic Milking System

Automatic milking systems are increasing in use at dairy farms worldwide. It's a market with significant differences among brands and models, and it's important to know the specs and capabilities of each model. Ecolab reps can advise on cleaning systems and solutions that work best for your farm.


Milking Parlor Cleaning Products

Synergex 189L 55GL

Synergex™ Sanitizer and Disinfectant

Synergex™ Sanitizer and Disinfectant is an EPA-registered* mixed peracetic acid (PAA) based sanitizer and disinfectant. It is effective on virtually all surfaces and with CIP applications and can help improve product quality and maximize efficiency.


*U.S. EPA Reg. No. 1677-250

Milking Parlor

Vortexx™ Acid Sanitizer

Vortexx™ peroxyacid-based sanitizer delivers antimicrobial activity on yeast, molds and bacteria. Vortexx enhances finished product quality when used in a total Ecolab product and professional services program by reducing pathogenic organisms.

Dairy farmer cleaning milking parlor

Oxonia Active™

Oxonia Active™ is an EPA-registered* peroxyacetic acid, antimicrobial agent for use on hard contact surface. It is effective against many pathogenic organisms, including spore-forming microorganisms and pathogens from avian influenza. The non-foaming formulation minimizes clean in place (CIP) cycle time and improves efficiency.


*U.S. EPA Reg. No.1677-129

Conquest 208L 55GL

Conquest™

Conquest™ is a heavy duty, non-chlorinated alkaline cleaner for use in recirculation cleaning (CIP). Conquest promotes quality assurance through efficacy during high temperature circulation and spray cleaning, and it saves time and money because it requires no additional additives in most water conditions.

Milking parlow

Exelerate™ CIP

Exelerate™ cleaning product line is built to improve productivity and save time in your cleaning and sanitation processes. Exelerate includes specially formulated products for clean-in-place systems, clean-out-of-place applications and more.

HorolithSolo 15kg

Solo CIP Cleaner

Solo is single-cycle CIP cleaner with a special blend of organic and mineral acids combined with wetting agents and other detergents.


Product availability may vary per region or country. Please check with your local sales representative to confirm the availability in your area.

Programs, Products, Equipment and Services

Explore Our Milking Parlor Cleaning Offerings

Farmer smiling while standing amongst dairy cows


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