Strangest thing found in a vacuum

[starion]

And speaking of disgusting things...thought I'd share this comment I overheard from customer...

We had just tried adding a cup of concentrated bubble gum scent in the hoods of our vacuums. Works great BTW, no more "wet dog" smell and a nice bubble gum smell instead.

Customer got through vacuuming their car and said to his girlfriend "I hate to hang the hose back up, that smell makes me want to lick the hose..."

 

[Red Baron]

No, but I'm just as likely to get stuck by a needle dumping trash as I am dumping vacuum buckets...

Which, BTW, I have never found any syringes in the vacuums. In the trash and on the ground though...

Agreed.

Some wash owners root around in their vac debris to find goodies. I don't want goodies that bad.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

that smell makes me want to lick the hose..."

I'll have to admit, my mind went a totally different direction on that one.

 

[Eric H]

We had just tried adding a cup of concentrated bubble gum scent in the hoods of our vacuums. Works great BTW, no more "wet dog" smell and a nice bubble gum smell instead.

ell me more about this, please! Is this just the fragrance from the fragramatics machine or something else?

 

[starion]

We are purchasing our scents from JBS Industries, but I'm sure there are a dozen other places to get concentrated fragrance.

 

[MEP001]

A friend of mine did get stuck by a needle in the trash while he was dumping it. Another got the back of two fingers sliced bad by something sharp. In both cases, instead of holding the can by the handle they would hold it by the top when they'd tip it into the dumpster.

I've started cleaning out the vacs twice a week and using a sifter made of two buckets and a piece of hardware cloth to get at the change. It's not messy, and I can see very easily if there's something that might poke or cut me. I use claws on all the vacs, so I never find anything like syringes in them.

I like the idea of fragrance coming from the vacs - I might pick up a couple of the wick-type fresheners and put them in the tank with the bags and see how it works and how long they last.

 

[Kevin James]

There’s nothing more gross and hazardous as digging in the vacuum waste for what ever. Our employees are not permitted to dig through the vacuum debris as it is extremely hazardous. If they do dig through the vacuum debris they will be terminated on the spot. I don't pay them to be garbage pickers!!!

They are required to wear leather gloves when they dump the trash cans and what’s in the trash can stays in the dumpster/trash can, pull it out and you’re gone. We don’t employ garbage pickers!!!

 

[Jeff_L]

We've all seen a lot of gross things at the wash. I wear those leather work gloves when doing anything with trash or vacuums. Just not worth the risk, plus my hands stay soft and clean just in case I get that hand modeling job I've always wanted.

 

[starion]

Since taking over the car wash a little over a year ago, I've pretty much gotten callous to the gross sights and smells. My top 5 things I hate to deal with:

1. Dead animals (birds are prevalent).
2. Soda cans (or any container) full of tobacco spit and cigarettes.
3. Rotten food.
4. The pits.
5. Beer in the vacs.

Other than that, life is peachy. I've resigned myself to having to clean up after people. Although it is mundane at times, it takes my mind off my other highly technical and brain taxing business.

I have decided there is nothing better than sitting on the hill overlooking the car wash with a cool breeze blowing, drinking a beer or 10, and watching people drop money at the wash. Be sure to sit at the top of the hill when drinking.