Just had to share!

GoldenWood Farm · #1 07/30/12, 09:05 PM

Only my goat family here would understand my excitement

. I have been wanting to sell milk off the farm for a while but I didn't have the resources to get a milking machine and so I held off because I wanted to make sure I could be as clean hand milking as possible as well as I have wooden milk stands and no way to sanitize the floor part. I finally thought of something really clever, linoleum!

With my dad's help (okay mainly all him) all three milk stands have linoleum on them as well as my counter top and my shelf out in the barn. Now I can clean and sanitize!

. I picked up some cheap small clippers to do a close shave on the does udders, I have my udder wipes and extra bottle of teat dip ordered (picked up some unscented baby wipes to use for right now), I have my two bottles ready to put my bleach sanitizer mixture in, 16 rolls of paper towels for wiping everything down and all I have left to do is clean out my large tub I am using to cool down the milk in.

I even got 108 1/2 gallon milk jugs with lids for my birthday a few days ago

. I am so excited! I do ask for any tips on making sure I sanitize and clean all my milking equipment after morning milking (I only milk once a day right now). Right now I just use Dawn soap and super hot water (as hot as the tap can get) to clean everything and I hand dry. Should I be doing something else? I though maybe before using in the morning I would spritz everything with rubbing alcohol to sanitize even better?

So any thoughts/tips/ideas are very welcome!

Justine
PS: Also I am wondering if I should double filter the milk...right now I only filter once..thoughts? Oh and yes I will get post photos of my "improved" milking stands and counter/shelf as soon as my camera is charged.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 07/30/12, 09:14 PM

First, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Don't worry about double filtering. It would just be more work.

I use the dairy soap, acid wash, and sanitizer from Hoegger.

Cleaning Kit | Hoegger Supply

Izitmidnight · #3 07/31/12, 02:56 AM

May I suggest using an ice paddle or ice wand to help with a more rapid cool down of the milk.

steff bugielski · #4 07/31/12, 05:13 AM

You want to sanitize before you milk not after.

andabigmac · #5 07/31/12, 07:23 AM

I don't sell milk so I don't have any advice except I had a friend who sells milk products and his milk room is lined with shower panels so he can scrub and sanitize them. I thought it was pretty slick.

I also wanted to say congrats!

GoldenWood Farm · #6 07/31/12, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steff bugielski

You want to sanitize before you milk not after.

Steff that is why I was thinking of spritzing down all my milking equipment with rubbing alcohol and giving them a quick wipe before milking. I know it evaporates fast and I don't think it would make the milk taste funky.

Justine

steff bugielski · #7 08/01/12, 05:30 AM

I would not use rubbing alcohol.
If you have the sanitizing solution, or Clorox bleach solution, just allow ALL your equipment to sit for 2 mins then air dry.

GoldenWood Farm · #8 08/01/12, 03:05 PM

Steff would you do that before milking? Sorry to be such a blond about it, I am running on little sleep right now so I wanted to clarify.

Justine

steff bugielski · #9 08/02/12, 05:32 AM

Yes. According to NY state requirements.
When I go out to milk the very first thing I do is put all equipment in the sanitizing solution.
I then grain the kids.
Take everything out to air dry.
Then fill the hay racks get the first two goats on the milkstands, feed them, clean their udders, dip the teats wash my hands then retrieve the milk pail. By this time I am comfortable that the chlorine has dissipated.

pygmybabies · #10 08/02/12, 02:34 PM

i use the rubbing alcohol and spritz everything down. But that is just me and we are the only ones who drink it, I know when my son was a baby I went to an exercise class at the hospital and they cleaned all the toys the babies put in their mouths with rubbing alchohol.. I have always cleaned my kids toys with it. They are 21 24 27 now and they turned out fine.

GoldenWood Farm · #11 08/02/12, 03:26 PM

Pygmybabies do you notice the milk tastes off at all? I am trying to find the most time efficient but safe way to sanitize and that's why I though rubbing alcohol. My mom uses rubbing alcohol to sanitize her utensils when she is making soaps and lotions hence why I thought of using it.

Justine