Shopping Cart cleaning? & oil spots?

No, not digital shopping carts, the ones down at the grocery store! :-)

It seems that the stores here never clean their carts. We've been here almost 3 years, and the carts just keep getting grimier.

Does anyone have any experiance or known of anyone cleaning shopping carts for the stores?

Sounds like it should be in Don Alm's inventory.

A pressure washer in the parking lot should do it, but I guess you can't use any soap, because it would go down the storm drains.

There are so many stores, all with less than clean carts, that I know there is money to be made here. (and maybe in your town too)

Good time too, while it's still warm enough for a quick "drip-dry".

They all also have the big nasty oil spots in all the close parking places. How do you clean them with something that is "approved".

The oil you clean off is technically toxic waste, so "disposal" is an issue. And it needs to be something that gets the dropped motor oil, but doesn't affect the paving, both petro products. Also a good time, while the oil is soft. (maybe not, paving is soft too)

I have thought for years that there should be good money in cleaning those oil spots.

With liability like it is these days, I can't believe they let them get so bad. Quite slick in the heat. Probably only get away without accidents because there are always cars over them.

Hey, if you're there with equipment to clean the carts, why not "clean two birds with one stone"?

Any ideas or suggestions, possible pitfalls, insurance, pricing, etc ???

Thanks, Dave Horn

PS: Hi Michael, yes I'm working on it;-)




Great service, and a biz-op too.

Dave,

As far as the oil spot clean-up.. Don does have an info pack on that. Think it includes a video and a free pushbroom! :)

There are several "non-toxic" oil removers for sale, but again.. I think Don has a handle on one of the better ones.

Pete

> No, not digital shopping carts, the ones
> down at the grocery store! :-)

> It seems that the stores here never clean
> their carts. We've been here almost 3 years,
> and the carts just keep getting grimier.

> Does anyone have any experiance or known of
> anyone cleaning shopping carts for the
> stores?

> Sounds like it should be in Don Alm's
> inventory.

> A pressure washer in the parking lot should
> do it, but I guess you can't use any soap,
> because it would go down the storm drains.

> There are so many stores, all with less than
> clean carts, that I know there is money to
> be made here. (and maybe in your town too)

> Good time too, while it's still warm enough
> for a quick "drip-dry".

> They all also have the big nasty oil spots
> in all the close parking places. How do you
> clean them with something that is
> "approved".

> The oil you clean off is technically toxic
> waste, so "disposal" is an issue.
> And it needs to be something that gets the
> dropped motor oil, but doesn't affect the
> paving, both petro products. Also a good
> time, while the oil is soft. (maybe not,
> paving is soft too)

> I have thought for years that there should
> be good money in cleaning those oil spots.

> With liability like it is these days, I
> can't believe they let them get so bad.
> Quite slick in the heat. Probably only get
> away without accidents because there are
> always cars over them.

> Hey, if you're there with equipment to clean
> the carts, why not "clean two birds
> with one stone"?

> Any ideas or suggestions, possible pitfalls,
> insurance, pricing, etc ???

> Thanks, Dave Horn

> PS: Hi Michael, yes I'm working on it;-)

Dave,
Below is web site that I found that talks about why grocery store shopping carts need to be cleaned, as they could spead germs, etc. I just thougt you or others might like to read it.

Martin

http://www.siteforsavings.com/new_page_4.htm

Dave,
Below is a web site on a machine that cleans grocery store shopping carts. I was thinking maybe you could become a rep. for the company selling these machines. Just a thought.

Hope this info. helps.

Martin

http://www.louisville.com/voicedisplay.html?article=8190

Pete, Thanks. I thought I had seen the oil spot cleaner on Don's list.
Have you ever read any feedback from anyone about Don's programs?

Martin, It just makes you want to run out and put all your food right in one of those carts, doesn't it? Common sense tells us all that gross stuff is on them, but I guess most people would rather not think about it. I've always been amazed to see people let their baby "chew" on the handles. Yuck.

Thanks for the info and the lead for the cart cleaning machine. Someone was really thinking when they made that one. I wonder how many stores are smart enough to see the value?
I think I will have to find out.

Do any of the wise minds on this board have any ideas or suggestions for launching a cart cleaning biz?


Great internet service, and make money too.