Abstract: A method of milking animals and cleaning at least a part of a milking device for milking animals, such as cows, is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of connecting at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal to be milked, milking the animal, cleaning at least a part of the milking device that has come into contact with the animal and/or with the milk from the animal, the very first cleaning step comprising cleaning and/or disinfecting said part of the milking device with steam, and a further cleaning step comprising treating with a fluid at least that part of the milking device that has been treated with steam.

Abstract: A device for milking a dairy animal, comprising a teat cup with a teat liner and a disinfection device for disinfecting at any rate at least a part of the teat liner by means of a disinfecting fluid. The disinfection device comprises a heating device for heating the disinfecting fluid, and the disinfection device is suitable for bringing the disinfecting fluid into contact with at any rate at least a part of the teat liner. A control unit is suitable for controlling the disinfection device. The heating device is suitable for heating the disinfecting fluid to such a temperature that the disinfecting fluid has a temperature of at least approximately 95° C. when it is in contact with the teat liner. The control unit is suitable for registering values of at least one control parameter of the disinfection device.