I'm with you there MrNovice. I keep my tot lots spotless as well. That is why I have been impressed by a few detectors such as the AT Pro, Racer 2 and Deus because they all pulled coins from my "spotless sites" that were deep.
I had always hoped that others hunting before me would clean out the trash. Lately all I find is trash they they left in their holes that weren't even properly refilled.