Rinse with water after each use. Flush with milk system cleaner once a day. At least once a week, take the entire system apart and clean it by hand. Old milk residue is a hygiene problem.

How to clean the milk system hygienically?

Rinse with water after each use. Flush with milk system cleaner once a day. At least once a week, take the entire system apart and clean it by hand. Old milk residue is a hygiene problem.

Why that is

Milk is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. At room temperature, the bacteria count doubles every 20–30 minutes. Milk residue gets stuck in the fine hoses, nozzles, and valves of a milk system, where water alone cannot reach. This residue turns rancid, develops a musty odor, and not only impairs the taste but can also be a health hazard.

After each use (immediately):

• Start the automatic rinsing program (most modern fully automatic machines offer this).
• Or: Put the milk hose in a glass of water and run a short burst of steam through it.
• This removes coarse milk residue from the lines.

Daily (at the end of the day):

• Use a milk system cleaner — these are special alkaline cleaners that dissolve milk fat and protein.
• Dilute the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions, run it through the system, and then rinse thoroughly with clear water.
• Don’t leave the milk container or hose standing overnight with milk residue.

Weekly:

• Take the entire milk system apart: hose, nozzle, connectors, milk container lid.
• Soak all parts in warm water with milk system cleaner (15–30 minutes).
• Clean through them with a small brush — especially the nozzle opening and the inside of the hoses.
• Rinse thoroughly and let dry.

Warning signs of infrequent cleaning:

• Milk foam becomes thin or non-existent.
• Milk smells sour or cheesy when frothing.
• Visible deposits on the nozzle or hose.
• Musty taste in the cappuccino or latte.

In practice at Green Wall Coffee

At Sophienstraße 27, we clean our steam wand after every single milk drink — damp cloth, short burst of steam. At the end of the day, a complete cleaning. This is non-negotiable because milk hygiene is a matter of health, not just taste.

Related questions

• How to clean my fully automatic coffee machine properly?
• Why does the coffee from my fully automatic machine suddenly taste bad?
• How often should I descale my fully automatic machine?

Stop by Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.