Having had Reflex, before I trained, I think it is important to clean the feet in whatever way you like best! I remember always climbing on the bed and apologising for the state of my feet, and if I could have washed them myself I would have done. As a client I found it refreshing, and a start to my relaxing! As a Reflexologist, as others have said, I look at the feet during the consultation, but find cleaning the feet a good start, and allows me to get inbetween the toes, allowing the client to feel my hands too.(This way there's no surprise bits of fluff either!!)
I guess it's each to their own!
Tj