Abstract: After a milking, the milking apparatus is cleaned in stages. First, the remaining milk is rinsed out with water. Second, the apparatus is washed through with detergent. The first stage rinse is very thorough, so that the second stage wash leaves the detergent solution still quite clean. The solution is stored in a separate tank between washes, and used again the next wash. Only a small make-up quantity of detergent need be added. Substantial savings in detergent discharges are achieved. The acid flush solution and the sanitizer flush solution also may be similarly stored for re-use. The detergent solution may be heated prior to re-use by heat from the milk.

Abstract: A sink for washing tie-stall dairy farm milk pipeline systems includes a narrow trough at the bottom of the sink. The trough receives the inflations of milking machines placed in the sink for washing. The sides of the trough confine and constrain the inflations so that the machine does not tip over while in the sink. The water level remaining in the sink when the pipeline system is flushed through therefore can be small, leading to water savings of up to 30%. The trough is made from stainless steel sheets, bent to shape; the sides of the sink extend outwards and outwards from the trough at an angle, whereby the sink sides guide the inflations into the trough as the farmer lowers the milking machine into the sink.