How to Clean a Milk Tank

Tanks used for storing milk must be cleaned and sanitized after they are used to control bacteria levels in the milk. According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, you start by cleaning the milk tank with an alkaline cleaner, then you use an acidic cleaner. These cleaners remove milk soils and mineral deposits from the milk tank and other milking equipment, and sanitizing the tank kills any microorganisms.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Thermometer
  • Alkaline cleaner
  • Wash sink
  • Nylon scrub brush
  • Acidic cleaner
  • Sanitizing agent
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rinse the inside of the milk tank immediately after it is emptied. The rinse water should be 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Mix alkaline cleaner with water. The water should be 160 to 170 degrees, and the dilution rate will depend on what the manufacturer recommends. Mix enough cleaner to completely submerge the milk tank in a wash sink. Fill the tank completely and submerge it in the cleaning solution. Leave the tank in the solution for at least five minutes, or for as long as recommended by the manufacturer of the cleaner. Scrub all surfaces of the tank, inside and out, with a clean nylon scrub brush.

    • 3

      Drain the solution. Rinse the interior and exterior of the tank thoroughly with clean, cool water. Mix the acid cleaner with water in the wash sink according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Mix enough solution to completely submerge the tank. Submerge the tank and agitate it for three minutes to circulate the solution. Remove the tank from the wash sink and pour out any remaining solution. Drain the solution from the wash sink. Allow the tank to air dry completely.

    • 4

      Mix a sanitizing agent with water in the wash sink. Submerge the tank in the solution right before it will refilled with milk. Agitate the tank within the solution for three minutes, then drain the solution.