Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the your body and it pays to have athletic type shoes that do not get wet easily. Sometimes rapid pace car washing in parking lots can be a lot like playing basketball, except you are on a slippery and uneven surface. Here is some advice after 27 years in the business of twisted ankles and soggy socks.

Don’t wear blowouts. If you have a favorite pair of shoes and they have rips in them, buy some ‘Shoe Goo’. It’s a rubbery substance that bonds and dries clear. It’s available at Sports Chalet and Big Five Sporting Goods. Sometimes you can find it at Foot Locker.

Nike makes some water shoes, which work well if you’re tired of soggy socks. Sandals are ok if you are a woman who doesn’t like farmer tan sock-lines. Foam type thongs should not be worn because you can’t move well in them. They will cause you to cut your feet and stub your toes.

Bare feet car washing is not allowed, you’ll cut your feet and reduce your companies image to the bottom tier of fly by night operations. You’ll find out why if you try, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Wear strong socks which will not sag if you can find them. We recommend high top cross-trainer type shoes because they offer good support. The average car washer walks eight miles in a day. Who needs sore feet? Mid top and high top tennis shoes are great for an all-out day of car washing.

Shoes should be washed in the washer and dryer every three weeks. Spray them with Spray N Wash all over and throw them in the washer. It’s ok to wash them with car wash towels. Dry them half-way, then pull the tongue out and leave them on the porch for one day while you wear your spare shoes. You can also take them to a laundromat that has “Fluff and Fold” service and tell them to do their best. Your shoes will look brand new.

Managers

Managers should have a quick checklist of the things you want to watch. Among the items on the checklist should be:

IMAGE

Shorts

Shirt

Hair

Hats

Shoes

Smell

This checklist should be kept on a 5×7 index card fastened to the back of the visor of the work truck. Managers should obviously be responsible for themselves and the crew. You should make this clear when you hire them. You must be sure they understand when you train them. You should give your manager the authority to let go and fire any employee who doesn’t conform to your image standards. If a manager plays favorites to certain employees (friends), this undermines the dress code system you have put in place to remain a Professional Auto Detailer or Car Washing Specialist. Please don’t let this happen. If any of your employees don’t follow your image guidelines then your image will be worthless. You won’t see a McDonald’s employee wearing a Budweiser tee-shirt. Think about it.

Lance Winslow

Tags: car wash, car washing, image, mobile carwashing, shoes, sockscar wash, car washing, image, mobile carwashing, shoes, socks

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Water to Help Your Feet Feel Better

We all have those days when our feet are aching. It may be that we’ve been walking all day. Or it might be that your shoes are too tight. Or it’s been hot, and you’ve been in the heat.

But whatever the reason, sometimes your feet need a rest. And water can help bring new life into your tired feet.

Our feet need some breathing space. Literally. Many people wear shoes all of the time, and some of them even wear something on their feet when they’re sleeping. As much as possible, give your feet time without shoes. Or socks. Or anything, for that matter.

I’m not suggesting that you walk outdoors with bare feet. But when you get home, and know you’re finished for the day, get rid of your shoes and socks, and let your feet rest. You will be astonished at the feeling of almost instant relief you will feel.

But to give your feet an added boost, use the healing power of water. Fill a pan (one big enough to hold both of your feet) with water. This time, the water should be slightly warmer than lukewarm, but not hot. If you have a thermometer, 120 degrees would be good. But you don’t really need a thermometer. Instead, use the test millions of mother (and some fathers, too) have used to test a baby’s food: feel it against your wrist. The skin on your wrist is sensitive, and will give you a good indication of whether the water will be uncomfortable on your feet.

In the water, dissolve a handful of plain baking soda. Now, get a towel (to wrap your feet in when you’re done) and a good book (or the TV remote control!) and you’re all set. Soak your feet for 20 or 30 minutes.

The results are amazing. In the first place, the soak will relieve tension and stress from the abuse your feet have endured all day. But the soak will also make the skin smooth and silky. It will also help to make your nails look better, and it will soften the skin around your nails. And if you do this for several days in a row, your feet will not only feel better, they will look better: all without expensive or inconvenient chemicals or treatments. And your whole body will feel better in the process.

Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is ‘Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,’ and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com

Tags: aching, discomfort, feet, foot, heal, look, nails, shoes, skin, soak, socks, soften, stress, tension, walk, wateraching, discomfort, feet, foot, heal, look, nails, shoes, skin, soak, socks, soften, stress, tension, walk, water

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