The present disclosure provides a method of flushing a reactor used in the production of linear alpha olefins, including flushing reactor equipment with toluene from a solvent source, wherein the reactor contains by-products from the production of the linear alpha olefins, wherein the by-products include a polymeric material. The flushed toluene containing polymeric material is directed into a separation train containing the linear alpha olefins, wherein the polymeric material is soluble in at least one of the linear alpha olefins. The linear alpha olefins can be separated from the toluene and the toluene is recycled to the solvent source.