Milking system having a central cleaning unit

A milking system comprising:

• two or more milking devices for extracting milk from a dairy animal;
• a central cleaning unit for cleaning each of the milking devices and milk-carrying parts of the milking system, wherein the central cleaning unit comprises at least one cleaning liquid transporting line for transport of a first cleaning liquid, wherein each of the milking devices is in flow connection with a liquid transport line;
• a buffer unit for receiving and temporarily storing fluids, the buffer unit comprising a first buffer tank, and a second buffer tank, wherein each of the buffer tanks is in flow connection with each of the milking devices through a respective milk line, and a valve system for regulating the flow of the milk to each of the buffer tanks;
• a control unit for controlling at least part of the milking system and
• a milk transport system with a milk transport line that connects the buffer unit with a bulk milk storage system, and
• wherein during a first cleaning stage, the central cleaning unit is configured to supply the first cleaning liquid through the liquid transport line for cleaning one of a first milking device and a second milking device, and the valve system is configured to allow a first flow of first cleaning liquid from the first milking device or the second milking device to be collected in the first buffer tank and to allow a milk flow from the other of the second milking device and the first milking device to the second buffer tank;
• and
• wherein during a second cleaning stage, the first cleaning liquid in a second flow from the first buffer tank through the milk transport line cleans at least part of the milk transport system.