What is the proper practice for cleaning spray equipment?

• A. Rinse equipment with a mixture of ammonia and chlorine bleach
• B. Clean the nozzles only to remove pesticide residues
• C. Drain booms to remove all pesticide residues
• D. Thoroughly rinse equipment with a water-detergent solution

Answer: (D)

Thoroughly rinse equipment with a water-detergent solution is the proper practice because it effectively removes pesticide residues from every part of the system—tank, hoses, pump, filters, nozzles, and booms—so nothing carries over into the next application. Detergents help break down and suspend residues, making them easier to rinse away with clean water and reducing the risk of cross-contamination and crop injury. Mixing ammonia with chlorine bleach is hazardous and not a cleaning method you should use around pesticides. Cleaning only the nozzles leaves residues in the tank and lines, and draining the booms alone won’t remove residues from the rest of the system. A full water-detergent rinse addresses all parts of the equipment to clean it effectively.