A chlorine-free wash programme for robots, milking equipment and bulk milk tanks

UK dairy farmers are beginning to recognise the benefits of using a chlorine-free wash programme as part of their daily cleaning routines, in order to disinfect and clean their milking machine and bulk tanks as part of a robust and effective parlour hygiene routine.

Why? Well switching to a chlorine-free cleaning routine helps to greatly reduce the levels of trichloromethane (TCM) and chlorite residues in milk.

This process is now commonplace in Ireland in line with milk processors’ requests. Irish dairy farmers have to ensure that their milk levels contain ultra-low levels of chlorine in order to obtain the best price is paid for each litre of milk they produce.

Whilst this is not a requirement in the UK, the products which we use, are extremely effective in their ability to clean milking parlours and bulk milk tanks. After all a clean and hygienic dairy plant is beneficial for the final milk yield quality.

The KERSIA chlorine-free wash programme

KERSIA takes great pride in its range of chlorine-free chemical products, which are proven to help clean and disinfect all parts of a milking machines, equipment and bulk milk tanks. Its chlorine-free cleaning regime is simple to follow to help reduce TCM levels to ultra-low in milk.

To achieve this, KERSIA has developed a five and six stage cleaning programme which are both simple yet effective. The five stage programme incorporates AUTOSAN Blue and HYPRACID ONE. The six stage uses a peracetic acid rinse combined with our traditional products all of which are chlorine free.

KERSIA’s five-stage, chlorine-free cleaning programme, using AUTOSAN Blue and HYPRACID ONE.

KERSIA’S chlorine-free detergent and disinfectant product solutions

KERSIA recommends the following chlorine-free cleaning products for milking parlours daily and weekly wash programmes.

Bulk milk tank and milking machine cleaning

HYPRACID ONE

HYPRACID ONE is a unique three-in-one chlorine-free detergent, descaler and steriliser. It is phosphoric acid free helping to eliminate TCM and chlorate residues in bulk milk tanks.

HYPRACID ONE is also kind to milking rubber-ware, nitric acid free and is also an environmentally friendly disinfectant. It is available in 20kg, 60kg or 220kg drums.

For best results, we recommend that HYPRACID ONE is used only with hot water.

The detergents

AUTOSAN Blue

AUTOSAN Blue is our proven low foaming, alkaline, chlorine-free detergent. It provides a high-performance caustic alkaline solution that can be used in both hot and cold water.

AUTOSAN Blue is suitable for use in all milking parlours, bulk milk-tanks and robotic/electronic cleaning systems. It is available in 20L, 200L and 1,000L IBC containers. It has been sold for many years to dairy farmers as an effective chlorine free detergent.

Clearway Plus

Clearway Plus is a chlorine-free circulation powder. Specially formulated for use in hard water areas, for cold wash cleaning. However, it can be used hot or cold at a usage rate of 226g/45L of water.

Clearway Plus has been used extensively for many years to deliver effective results, as it removes surface dirt from clusters and Jetters. It is specifically formulated to help reduce TCM and chlorate levels in milk yields. It is available in a 20kg bucket.

Milking parlour and robotic disinfectants

HYSPRAY PA5

HYSPRAY PA 5 is a chlorine-free peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide surface disinfectant sanitiser. It can be used in the final rinse post milking on regular milking parlours, in cluster dipping and spraying and on automatic cluster flush systems. It is available in 24kg and 210 drums

AUTOSCAN RED

AUTOSCAN RED is an extra-strength, low foaming phosphoric acid cleaner. It is suitable for use with all automated milking equipment, including robots. It is available in 20L and 200L drums.

KERSIA’S six-stage, chlorine-free cleaning programme, incorporating AUTOSAN Blue, AUTOSCAN Red and a PERACETIC ACID FLUSH.

Repeat the above cleaning routine after PM milking, using cold water (cold wash) in the main wash cycle.

KERSIA’s range of chlorine-free cleaning solutions are suitable for all types of milking parlours and bulk milk tanks. Its range of specially developed products can help to greatly reduce chlorate and TCM levels in milk.

However, the products described are extremely effective to maintain a clean and hygienic milk parlour including bulk milk tanks, to ensure that the milk produced is of the highest quality.

Teagasc tested

Both KERSIA’s five stage and six stage chlorine-free cleaning programmes have been tested under Teagasc’s controlled testing protocols in Ireland, using AUTOSAN Blue and AUTOSCAN Red and AUTOSAN Blue and HYPRACID One.

In 2018, a study undertaken by Teagasc Moorepark at Kilworth research farm, found that a chlorine-free routine was as effective as standard cleaning protocols already in place and at a comparable daily cost.