[countrywoman]

I have really enjoyed hand-milking since last Autumn (when I got my goats) but what was originally one in milk and not very prolific over the winter has become two with a marked increase, as you would expect right now.  My combination of arthritis and carpal tunnel problems are now added to by what is probably repetitive strain to the tendons in my arms - in short I have had to accept that I need help.

My husband is now such a convert to goat milk/cheese that he has offered not only a milking machine but a new shed/dairy!  I have ordered a single-goat milker from Goat Nutrition and would appreciate advice on cleaning routines from experienced owners.  It seems a bit excessive to have a massive churn for two goats but having made the decision I want to make sure I am doing it properly - I've never seen one in use, so that doesn't help.

So - what detergents/sterilising fluids do you use?  Do you always use hot water (which will mean carrying it a distance for me) or will cold work with the right cleaning agents?  Anything else I should know?

[tizaala]

Most dairy detergents work well in cold water, Dismantle all your pipe work and teet cups so you don't get build up of bacteria, you can soak everything in Milton if you don't want to buy big quantities.

[Anke]

I use a first wash of hot water with simple washing-up liquid (Ecover) as a run through, then a cold wash with Capritect added (just a slurp to the bucket) and then a final wash with clear cold water. Once a week we clean out the rim under the lid and maybe once a month we dismantle the tubes and all, and soak in Milton. If you cannot get hold of a large container of capritect (Ascott used to sell them , but not sure they still do) Milton will do the same job. I also use a dilute solution of capritect as a teat-dip after milking.

My milking machine has meant that I can continue to have my goats (currently milking 5), as I also have Carpal Tunnel. It is also really the only way for me to sometimes go away, or even just be away for the evening! IMO a necessicity for the 21st Century smalholder!

PS.: My OH carries the hot water for me.... we have a cold tap in the goat shed.

[countrywoman]

Very useful info, thanks.  I already use Ecover and Capriclense (Goat Nutrition, who sell it, are quite near me so no problem with getting it) for my hand-milking stuff.  Thinking about putting a small water-heater in place - well, finding a man to do it...

[jinglejoys]

Just getting my milking machine back and haven't used it for years but from what I remember you just dip the teat holders in a bucket of warm water and sterilezer or detergent and it
 is sucked straight through into the milking bucket washing everything.
You'll probably find plenty of stuff on You Tube if you do a search 

[Anke]

Very useful info, thanks.  I already use Ecover and Capriclense (Goat Nutrition, who sell it, are quite near me so no problem with getting it) for my hand-milking stuff.  Thinking about putting a small water-heater in place - well, finding a man to do it...

I actually meant Capriclense and not Capritect (which is the udder cream I use - for the goats AND my hands), but it was quite late last night when I typed that...

[countrywoman]

Yes, I'd realised the mistake - I use Capritect for udders/hand too, and my mind cannot always work out which is which, especially when tired!  Just found it works well on a patch of unidentified sore skin on my dog's tummy, too.

[ballingall]

I use a first wash of hot water with simple washing-up liquid (Ecover) as a run through, then a cold wash with Capritect added (just a slurp to the bucket) and then a final wash with clear cold water. Once a week we clean out the rim under the lid and maybe once a month we dismantle the tubes and all, and soak in Milton. If you cannot get hold of a large container of capritect (Ascott used to sell them , but not sure they still do) Milton will do the same job. I also use a dilute solution of capritect as a teat-dip after milking.

My milking machine has meant that I can continue to have my goats (currently milking 5), as I also have Carpal Tunnel. It is also really the only way for me to sometimes go away, or even just be away for the evening! IMO a necessicity for the 21st Century smalholder!

PS.: My OH carries the hot water for me.... we have a cold tap in the goat shed.

We use a similar style, each morning/evening, very hot water from the kitchen tap with fairy liquid, followed by a cold rinse. The churn gets a scrub in the bath in the house once a week as it is too large to wash anywhere else. And I'm supposed to do all the tubes once a fortnight, but in practice it is when it needs it and when I have time that it gets done......