CAN WASHING 



143 



formly good results, they can be adjusted to any speed and to 

 any length of exposure of the cans to washing, steaming and 

 drying and their work is far superior to that of the average 

 washing by hand. 



Essentials of Efficient Can Washing. J n the proper cleans- 

 ing of cans there are four essential operations, namely, the 

 washing, rinsing, steaming and drying. 



Tig. 20. Mechanical can washer 

 Courtesy Lathrop- Paulson Co. 



The washing of the cans should remove all remnants of 

 milk or cream. In, the case of hand washing this is best done 

 by immersing the can in a wash tank of suitable size and con- 

 taining a solution of washing powder or other alkali in hot 

 water. The cans are washed both inside and out with a stiff 

 bristle brush. In the hydraulic machines the hot alkali water 

 is forced into the cans under pressure and the force of the 

 water is intended to take the place of the brush. In some of 

 these machines clear hot water is used for this purpose without 

 any addition of alkali. Experience has shown that milk cans 

 and cream cans which are not coated with dried cream can be 

 quite successfully cleansed in this way. Old cream cans, how- 

 ever, in which the cream has dried onto the inside of the can 

 need a special hand scrubbing to insure thorough cleansing. 



