What is the difference between cleaning and disinfection?

Cleaning degreases and removes visible dirt such as manure and feed residues, while disinfection kills bacteria and pathogens. Both steps are necessary to maintain a clean and safe environment.

How often should the parlor be thoroughly cleaned?

The parlor should be cleaned daily, with thorough cleaning at least once a week to completely remove dirt and bacteria.

What is the best way to disinfect the milking machine or milking robot?

Use a registered disinfectant after every milking and follow a cleaning protocol to thoroughly clean all parts and kill bacteria.

How can I reduce water consumption during cleaning?

Use pressure washers and prior dry cleaning (such as manure removal) to use less water. Use a cleaning agent, with its power you can save water.

Which cleaning products are best to use for the milking parlour?

Use cleaning agents specifically suited to the parlour, such as alkaline or acidic cleaners, depending on the type of dirt. Make sure they are safe for both equipment and animals.

Cleaning & Disinfection - Cattle

A germ-free milking area for optimal performance

Creating and maintaining a low-pathogen environment is not just good practice - it's the cornerstone for the health, welfare, and overall performance of your cows. The impact of clean housing, equipment and tools directly correlates with growth rates, feed efficiency, milk production and reproductive success.

Take charge to improve hygiene and performance

Clean your milking area in 4 steps

The 4 steps to clean your milking area

A good foundation of udder health is a clean parlour. Cleaning and disinfecting the parlour ensures that you get rid of all germs from the previous milking. 

Safety first: Ensure your own safety when cleaning the dairy house by wearing protective clothing, including disposable coveralls, face protection, gloves, footwear and earmuffs.

Iris hanging a hay shovel on the blue shadowboard

Step 1: Pre-clean routine

Begin by emptying the area of any tools and equipment to ensure comprehensive access to all surfaces.

Relocate your cows

Ensure all cows are out of the milking area.

Dry cleaning

Sweep or vacuum all loose dirt, debris and feed from the area.

High pressure rinse after cleaning the milking carrousel with a detergent

Step 2: Pressure cleaning

Use water to rinse down walls, floors, and equipment to remove any remaining loose material.

Use high-pressure

Remove all the remaining contamination with a high pressure cleaner until the area is 80% clean.View high pressure cleaners

Whole machine and floor cleaned and still foam everywhere

Step 3: Start cleaning with foam

Choose a cleaning agent suitable for use in milk rooms that is also effective against common contaminants found on milking robots or in the milking parlor. A recommended product for this is MS TopFoam Power.

When cleaning the robot, take the sensitive components of the robot arm into account. Rubber parts are difficult to clean, and oxidative disinfectants or mechanical cleaning can cause premature wear and tear.

Use MS TopFoam

Use a foam gun and MS T&T Cleaner for the exterior, which is specifically developed for coated surfaces, while for the interior of the robot you should use a combination of acidic and alkaline cleaning agents such as MS TMC Acid Robo and MS TMC Acid to remove inorganic deposits like milk stone, along with MS TMC Alk and MS TMC Chlorine Free to remove organic contaminants such as fats in the milk lines.About MS TopFoam

Rinse with water & let it dry

Allow the product to dwell for approximately 30 minutes without letting the foam dry out completely, then rinse all surfaces thoroughly with water and let the area dry entirely before proceeding to the next step.

Young man spraying with high pressure equipment to clean wearing protection

Step 4: Disinfect the milking area

Disinfect the area to kill any remaining pathogens. Let the product soak in for at least 15 minutes.

Use MS MegaDes Novo - 15 min

Apply this disinfectant according to the guidelines, ensuring a contact time of at least 15 minutes for optimal germ-killing action.About MS MegaDes

Rinse with water

Rinse with high pressure after the product has had sufficient time to actively kill all pathogens.

Let the barn dry

Allow the barn to dry completely. Pathogens are less likely to survive on dry surfaces, and a dry environment prevents the rapid reestablishment of biofilm.

Experts recommend:

The highly effective universal disinfectant MS MegaDes Novo is approved by the Dutch Ctgb for efficacy against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Now also available in HyBag format!

Go to the shop

How it works