Dairy Farm Cleaning Equipment: Procedures to Keep Your Processing Facility Sanitary
Cleaning and sanitization of dairy equipment is paramount to the industry. Product quality, employee safety, and profits can all be compromised if suitable dairy cleaning supplies aren’t used.
Whether you’re a small family farm or a massive factory, you can’t afford to overlook this. There are so many types of dairy cleaning equipment out there, so do your research for the best results.
We’ll cover dairy farm cleaning equipment, the role of cleaning in place in dairy industry settings, dairy cleaning chemicals, and other insights we’ve gained.
The best dairy plant cleaning procedures always include a reliable pressure washer setup.
Pressure washing farm equipment and food processing machinery is the fastest and safest way to eliminate tough stains like oil, rust, and grease.
For equipment sourcing and assistance with any questions, talk to our team at Hotsy of Houston! We are Southeast Texas’ #1 resource for power washing, combining the lasting reputation of Hotsy with friendly customer support.
The Need for Efficient, Effective Dairy Plant Cleaning Procedures
Dairy plant cleaning procedures often take a backseat to other pressing needs. Many farm owners and plant managers are content using the same old-school dairy cleaning equipment they’ve used for decades.
But dairy farm cleaning isn’t something you can just ignore. Between health and safety risks and product quality, taking time to handle the cleaning and sanitization of dairy equipment is a must.
Health and Safety
The cleaning and sanitization of dairy equipment is vital to your business.
Without suitable dairy cleaning chemicals and procedures, an employee could get sick from the environment or slip on your property. Additionally, if you’re not using dairy cleaning equipment regularly, your products could become infected with bacteria or viruses, exposing your customers to disease.
If your dairy plant begins to develop a reputation for dangerous products, you can say goodbye to any hopes of profits.
You can eliminate bacteria and fall hazards with reliable dairy cleaning supplies before they pose any risk to others.
Regulations and Compliance
Dairy farm cleaning is your #1 weapon against regulations and red tape. Methods like pressure washing and cleaning in place in dairy industry settings and are vital to avoid costly fines or closures.
Standards from federal, state, and local agencies must all be bet. The best dairy cleaning supplies ensure that everything is up to standard.
While adhering to every standard can feel arduous, they are there for a reason. You can ensure you meet and exceed those standards with excellent dairy cleaning equipment.
That means no more worrying about surprise inspections stopping your production or hurting your bottom line.
Challenges in Dairy Cleaning
In our experience, many farms give up on finding reliable dairy cleaning supplies because the process is inherently complex. So many locations and delicate parts must be considered. Each surface on your property requires a thought-out approach for the best results.
Typical cleaning methods like manual scrubbing take far too long for a fraction of your desired results. Even cleaning in place in dairy industry, which is a standard, needs to be supplemented.
This is where the best dairy cleaning chemicals and supplies come in. They can speed up the entire cleaning process, sanitizing and scrubbing simultaneously. This ensures compliance without using more effort than necessary.
Comprehensive List of Dairy Cleaning Equipment, Supplies, and Chemicals
Now that you know the benefits of taking your dairy plant cleaning procedures, you must determine which equipment to invest in.
The optimal setup for dairy cleaning equipment involves a one-two punch: a commercial pressure washer and a clean-in-place system. Along with other critical dairy cleaning supplies like detergents and accessories, you’ll be well on your way to eliminating stains and sanitizing your dairy plant.
Commercial Pressure Washers for Dairy Facilities
If you’ve never used a power washer, you might wonder what the hype is about. Is it better than manual scrubbing or other tools like garden hoses?
Businesses across various industries have been pressure washing commercial buildings with great success for decades. Commercial power washers pack an incredible punch you won’t find anywhere else.
They blast away milk residue, proteins, grease, and machine rust–if it’s in your dairy plant, the odds are high your power washer can handle it.
Identifying power washers as the best dairy cleaning supplies isn’t enough–you must choose among the many different types of pressure washers. First, make sure your machine is industrial or commercial-rated. The types of machines homeowners rent at home improvement stores won’t cut it for your plant.
There are three primary considerations: size, motor type, and water temperature.
Size is defined by PSI and GPM, which stand for pounds per square inch and gallons per minute. They cover the force and volume of your water stream. Some models allow you to change the PSI and GPM on the fly, giving you extra flexibility.
You want to meet these values somewhere in the middle of the range. If PSI and GPM are too low, you won’t get your desired cleaning results. Too high, and you risk damaging sensitive machinery and surfaces.
When cleaning your floors and exteriors, a PSI of 1500-2000 and GPM of 2 to 4 will suffice. For machinery and equipment, bump it to 3000 PSI and GPM of up to 8 for the best results.
The motor type debate is close. When comparing gas vs electric pressure washers, you usually choose one or the other based on your property.
Electric pressure washers are best for indoor cleaning, as they produce no fumes, while gas models are better for outdoor cleaning since they don’t need to be plugged into an outlet.
However, an electric model may be better if you have noise concerns, even outdoors. Conversely, a gas machine can still clean a properly ventilated indoor plant.
Water temperature is a more straightforward decision. Between hot water vs cold water pressure washers, you want a heated model. When paired with the right chemicals, this will give you the cleaning power to melt away grease, fats, proteins, and potential bacteria.
Sanitizing Chemicals
Speaking of chemicals, let’s discuss the best soap for pressure washers. Deciding what soap to use in a pressure washer will determine your cleaning potential.
We recommend using NSF-rated detergents that are biodegradable, along with sanitizing additives, for the best results.
Hotsy’s Carbchlor blend is the industry leader. The bleach-based formula is NSF-rated to comply with US federal guidelines, eliminating fats and proteins without contaminating the food. Hotsy Miracle Wizz is also an excellent choice, with a Kosher-friendly blend that removes carbon-based deposits on your machinery.
We recommend pairing these soaps with Hotsy’s Vital Oxide sanitizer. It eliminates microbes and germs from food processing plants, including COVID-19, keeping your staff and customers safe.
Scrubbers, Brushes, and Squeegees
The standard nozzle can do the job, but time and speed are your keys to success. Accessories are crucial dairy cleaning supplies for your power washer.
There are many nooks and crannies around your dairy plant which accessories can help you tackle. Hotsy’s Extension Wand can help you reach high places, Hotsy’s Surface Cleaners can quickly clear large flooring areas, and Hotsy’s Foam Cannon is a fantastic way to clean your vehicle fleet.
These attachments fit on the end of your machine–so you don’t have to do the manual scrubbing yourself.
CIP (Clean-in-Place) Systems
Clean-in-place systems are a staple of the dairy industry. They work well with pressure washers to clean the internal pipes and tanks of equipment.
Your pressure washer will then be used on the external aspects of the machine, giving your plant a thorough, 100% clean that ensures your success.
With your shopping list established, you need only find the dairy cleaning equipment you need. If you’re looking for a retailer in Southeast Texas, Hotsy of Houston has you covered.
Source Your Dairy Cleaning Chemicals and Equipment at Hosty of Houston!
Hotsy of Houston is your #1 resource for industrial cleaning. We’re the best place to find a high-quality commercial pressure washer in Houston, thanks to our affiliation with Hotsy, the industry leader for over 5 decades.
We’ve helped thousands of businesses in the area, including HEB, McDonald’s, and the City of San Antonio. Our team will be your strategic partner every step of the way. We’ll show you what to look for in a pressure washer, including pressure washer detergent and the best pressure washer accessories.
We even sell pressure washer trailers in Houston for mobile jobs, letting you avoid the perils of homemade pressure washer trailer setup.
If you aren’t ready to buy or don’t want to worry about maintaining a pressure washer yourself, we also provide comprehensive commercial pressure washer rental in Houston.
Even after you buy, we’ll be right by your side. We’re always available to answer questions and provide the best commercial pressure washer repair in Houston. Our team quickly diagnoses and fixes issues before they become expensive, saving you thousands on future pressure washer repair costs.
Dairy Farm Cleaning: Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning and Sanitizing of Dairy Equipment and Facilities
Once you have your dairy cleaning equipment, let’s show you how to use a pressure washer.
Before you start, grab some personal protective equipment to wear while pressure washing to ensure you and your staff are safe. Clear the area of any debris or sensitive objects, and you’ll be ready to begin.
Step 1: Pre-Cleaning Rinse
Once you’ve removed large objects, rinse the area. This will remove any loose soil (for animal pens), debris, or dirt. It will also reveal the underlying surfaces that need cleaning, ensuring a thorough result.
Step 2: Applying Detergent
You’ll now add soap to the pressure washer. Fill up your detergent tank with one of your Hotsy detergents, like Carbochlor.
Spray the detergent over the entire area. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, just long enough to loosen the stains without drying.
Step 3: Mechanical Scrubbing and Agitation
Here’s where your Hotsy Surface Cleaners and Wands come in. You’ll use these tools to scrub down each surface. Don’t worry about putting in too much effort; your attachments will do the difficult part for you.
We recommend following up with the Hotsy Foam Cannon to ensure you achieve full coverage.
Step 4: Rinsing and Sanitizing
From here, rinse everything down. Everything should be sparkling clean, but the job isn’t done. You’ll then apply your Hotsy Vital Oxide to sanitize the surfaces, allowing it to sit, and then give it a final rinse.
Step 5: Inspect and Validate Cleanliness
Take a moment to inspect the surfaces for any missed spots. If you see any residue, you may need to start the process from the top. Check the nooks and crannies; they can harbor bacteria if left unnoticed.
Step 6: Drying and Preventing Recontamination
Bacteria festers in moisture, so you must ensure you correctly dry your equipment. Use industrial fans or clean microfiber cloths to wipe down the machinery. This will ensure bacteria has nowhere to grow, keeping your dairy safe.
How Often is Dairy Farm Cleaning Necessary?
Once you put your pressure washer in storage, you’re done. The only question is how often you need to do this process.
Your dairy plant will have some very high-traffic areas. The milking areas may need to be cleaned multiple times a day. Frequency also increases in the summertime as bacteria can grow in humid environments.
Other areas, like external walls or flooring, are better suited for weekly or monthly cleaning. Generally, the cleaner you are, the better, as long as you don’t disrupt production.
Final Thoughts on Dairy Farm Cleaning
Dairy farm cleaning is not something to underestimate. Failing to do so puts everyone in danger.
You need the best commercial pressure washer, soap, and accessories. You’ll clean your farm quickly without disrupting production or exerting too much effort.
Our team at Hotsy of Houston is here to help. With our knowledge, we’ll answer all your questions, like how to rent a power washer, to set you up for success.
We’ve helped businesses across industries streamline their operations, including cleaning grease traps, cleaning commercial vent hoods, pressure washing meat markets, cleaning cooling towers, pressure washing factory floors, fleet pressure washing, restaurant pressure washing, pressure washing parking lots, and warehouse pressure washing.
We’ve even assisted budding entrepreneurs with understanding pressure washing business start-up costs and how to quote pressure washing jobs.
Let our knowledge guide you to a clean and successful dairy plant. Stop by the #1 home for commercial hot water pressure washers in Houston and commercial cold water pressure washers in Houston to get started!