Dirty Shopping Carts

Updated on May 12, 2011
M.K. asks from Corte Madera, CA
11 answers

I have been reading a lot of articles lately, on how dirty shopping carts are. Some articles even claim that shopping carts contain more harmful pathogens than public restrooms. The information that I learned from these articles made me very concerned about putting my toddler in the shopping carts. I was wondering, is anyone else concerned about shopping cart cleanliness, or am I being too paranoid?

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J.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I do not think that you are being paranoid. The shopping carts are very dirty. Long time ago a friend of mine gave us a shopping cart seat as a gift. She had the same concern that you had and found this seat in Babies'rus.

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A.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't worry about it after all part of developing a healty immune system is being exposed to germs. Also I try to grap a cart sitting in the parking lot. The uv exposure from the sun kills most stuff anyway.

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi yes they are gross gross gross E-coli-staph all kinds or disgusting stuff-especially the ones used by homeless people-Get a cart cover they are like 20 bucks-Where are you I have one I'm dne with was gonna sell at my garage sale-even my older kids wash their hands or use sanatizer after holding on-we saw a thing on nightline once-how many stores do you know that wash them-exactly-enen better markets have cart wipes ounside but for a little one it's not enough!

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R.M.

answers from Tampa on

The very best deterrent to Shopping cart handle germs is to use a KleenGrip Steri-Strip Shopping Cart Handle Protector. More and more Supermarkets are carrying this product. The way it works is the KleenGrip Steri-Strip Kiosk Dispenser is located at the store’s entry right next to the shopping carts so all you do is walk in, pull the strip out, place it on the cart handle and then shop! Best part is....the KleenGrip Steri-Strips have COUPONS!!! That's right, germ protection and grocery discount coupons all in one! If your Supermarket doesnt carry KleenGrip, as them why not!?!

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D.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm in a mom's group and trust me, we each have our "thing" that we're focused on and mine is germs. I've used a shopping cart cover to protect my son, now 21 mo., from all of the ickiness found on the carts. Honestly, I don't think those carts ever get cleaned.

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K.D.

answers from San Francisco on

You're not paranoid. Those things are GROSS! I started using a padded cover and it helps (helps me not be so freaked out by the germs). But my daughter likes it anyway. It's padded and makes it more comfortable for her. I keep it in the trunk of the car so I don't forget to bring it to the store.

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S.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi M.
I don't think you are being too paranoid, I too can't stand to see all that grime on shopping carts AND on the checkout stand counter where they ring up your food. I honestly think stores should do a better job at cleaning and do it frequently. Afterall, they are selling food.....
However, I have seen Safeway stores in one or two areas power washing down the carts. This I think should be done on a daily basis. Additionally, they now offer disinfectant wipes right at the door. But even so, the grocery stores still need to get with the program and clean up their stores and carts. so no, you aren't paranoid.

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C.H.

answers from San Francisco on

I have an almost three yr. old and a 17 mo. old. With my first I would always bring wipes and wipe the cart down. Once #2 arrived, I dropped the ball on that!

They are both very healthy and do not get sick as often as my friends toddlers so maybe it is good for building the immunity!? I think once they hit about 6 to 7 mo. they are pretty hearty.

You can buy a shopping cart cover but then you have to remember to bring it everywhere with you....

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

You are not being too paranoid. shopping carts are filthy. You should take sanitary wipes and wipe the seat area and the hand area before you put your child in and pay attention that the child does not put his/her mouth on the bar that you hold to push the cart. I have noticed that some stores (Safeway) now has sanitary wipes in a dispenser available at the area where you get your cart.

C.L.

answers from San Francisco on

You are definitely not paranoid. Of course there are germs every where but I could have sworn I watched like Dateline or some show like that, that did an investigation about where germs were and I remember shopping carts were one of them. I guess that's why they make those shopping cart covers for us to buy so that our little ones don't have to touch those dirty germs.

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