How to Clean a Grocery Store Shopping Cart

Debris, stains and germs are commonly found on grocery store shopping carts. According to the Department of Health of the state of Minnesota, shopping cart handles are the worst hiding places for bacteria---foods can leak, spreading E coli and other bacteria to contaminate other food items and cause illness. Sick people can also transmit germs onto carts. Carts left outside also collect debris from being exposed to the elements. To limit your customers' contact with these contaminants, clean your store carts with child-friendly solutions that are safe for foods.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Measuring cup
• Bucket
• Toothbrush
• Sponge
• Rag
• Dish soap
• Disinfectant spray

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Instructions

• 1

  Pour warm water into a chemical-free spray bottle until the bottle is 3/4 full. Add 1 cup of white vinegar. Replace the spray nozzle on the top of the bottle and screw the cap tightly. Gently shake the bottle to mix.

• 2

  Spray the entire cart with the vinegar-water mixture. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes.

• 3

  Scrub all crevices on the shopping cart with a toothbrush. Rinse the toothbrush every few minutes to remove debris.

• 4

  Spray the vinegar solution onto a rag. Wipe down the entire grocery cart.

• 5

  Fill a bucket with warm water and rinse the entire cart. Continue rinsing the cart until the vinegar solution has been completely removed.

• 6

  Fill a bucket with warm water, and add 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Swish your hand inside the bucket to distribute the soap throughout the water.

• 7

  Saturate the sponge with the soapy water and wipe all surface areas of the grocery cart. Rub gently on stains.

• 8

  Rinse the entire cart twice with several buckets of warm water.

• 9

  Allow the cart to fully air dry.

• 10

  Spray the entire area with a disinfectant spray.