Dear Forum:

Help! We have been milking our goat for about 2 months now and are just starting to get "milkstone" build-up on the goat milk pail. We can't really afford the 2 special detergents for the cleaning of it right now, does anyone have an alternative cleaning product which will successfully clean the pail? I have heard that washing soda and vinegar may help. Any comments would surely be appreciated!

Thank-you, Dee

-- Dee Roberts (maggiebell@usa.net), October 15, 2000

Answers

Hi Dee,

Is it stainless steel? I have a stainless one and i keep it as immaculately cleaned as possible. i scrub it daily with anit- bacterial dish soap and a little bleach. I have not had any problems so far and have had it for a yr now. i have heard that baking soda and vinegar helps as does dishwashing detergent. i have not tried either. Maybe someone else might have another thought on this. Hope this helps.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), October 15, 2000.

HI Dee, Try using vinegar and salt solution to remove the current build-up, then use home made lye soap to clean it in the future, my milking customers swear by it. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), October 15, 2000.

Also salt and vinegar here, though I do know folks who use baking soda also. Just a tidbit I learned in cooking school for copper. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 16, 2000.

Sometimes when my bulk milk tank gets to looking bad inside I sprinkle it with fresh wood ashes, make it into a light paste with a brush and let it set for an hour. Brush it real good, hose it out, then run wash and sanitize cycle with auto wash. Lye in the ashes eats mineral deposits right off and leaves a great shine. You can use dairy acid but it cost alot for just one bucket to clean. Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), October 16, 2000.

I have been using the same milk pail for 1 1/2 years and I clean it everytime with soda dissolved in HOT water and then add vinegar. I haven't had any build up yet. Good luck!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), October 17, 2000.

I've been using a stainless steel pan for milking for two seasons. Clean it with homemade soap every time. Also, every now and then, I use an acid cleaner like ZUD or Barkeeper's Friend (both available at the local grocery store near the Comet and in a similar container). I've never had any buildup problems.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), October 18, 2000.