Monitoring of cleanliness and disinfection in dairies: Comparison of traditional microbiological and ATP bioluminescence methods

► Aerobic control in dairies surfaces were analysed using three different methods. ► The dipslide and contact plate methods displayed moderate concordance. ► ATP bioluminescence method detected the largest number of unsuitable surfaces. ► The contamination was significantly higher for table-mould than for curd vats-fillers. ► Efficiency was better for mechanized than manual cleanliness, also for Enterobacteriaceae, moulds & yeasts.