Best Shopping Cart Cover to Protect Baby from Germs
Last Updated on October 6, 2020
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Babies and grocery stores are a challenging combination for many reasons. One of which is the cart you use to push your baby around the store while you shop.
As you walk into the store and grab a shopping cart, I’m sure you’ve noticed the sanitizer wipes nearby. There is a very good reason stores provide those complimentary wipes.
The shopping cart has been touched by countless other shoppers before you. Some may have been sick, touched raw meat packages, or maybe haven’t washed their hands recently. Gross!
If you’re like most parents, you won’t have the time to disinfect the whole front half of the cart where the baby will be sitting. This is where a baby shopping cart cover helps provide easy protection from these germs and extra comfort on those long trips to the store.
Too busy loving your little one? Here’s our top pick.
Our top pick for the best shopping cart cover is the Infantino Compact 2-in-1 Cover to protect your baby while you shop.
This is our favorite cart cover due to its lower cost and flexibility to be used in nearly any shopping carts, big or small. The 2-in-1 design also provides flexibility to be used as either a cart or high chair cover.
The Infantino Shopping Cart Cover is able to block all the germ-filled areas of the cart that your baby can reach while folding up into a convenient travel pouch. It fits great in a purse, diaper bag, or keep it your reusable grocery bags so you always remember to bring it!
Our Top Picks
- Infantino Compact 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover
- Croc n frog 2-in-1 Baby Shopping Cart Cover
- Summer 2-in-1 Cushy Cart Cover and Seat Positioner
- Suessie Shopping Cart Cover
- Poly Care Shopping Cart Cover
Top Reasons You Need a Shopping Cart Cover to Protect Your Baby
- Shopping carts are a breeding ground for germs. As we cover in the next section, it’s amazing just how much bacteria is on the cart you push around the store.
- Most carts can’t support infants and smaller babies. The standard leg holes and backrest may work perfectly fine for young toddlers. However, if your baby isn’t fully sitting up-right, you’ll need to use a cover to provide the extra support.
- Carts don’t provide an easy way to attach baby toys. Having your baby’s favorite toy in arms reach and secured to the cart will make your shopping trip much better.
- Majority of grocery carts are made of metal and hard plastic. This is incredibly uncomfortable for anyone to sit on. Your baby deserves something a little more comfortable.
- Not all carts have a buckle to keep your child strapped in. This can be a dangerous situation if your baby wiggles their legs out of the holes.
Shopping Carts Have More Germs Than You Can Imagine
Germaphobes be warned – you won’t like what’s coming!
This report by a news station provides a quick explanation of what can be found on carts and why using a wipe may not be enough.
Also, when it comes to bacteria, you’d think a place like a bathroom is the worst place to pick up some nasty germs.
However, according to a study conducted by Reuse This Bag and EMLab P&K (bacteria testing lab), they found shopping carts are hundreds of times more contaminated with bacteria than the typical bathroom.
They ran the test by swabbing carts at 100 grocery stores of various sizes across 10 states. The lab results showed grocery carts had on average about 20,625 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria per square inch.
To put this into perspective, this means the average shopping cart has levels of bacteria:
- 7,932x more than car steering wheels
- 763x more than cell phones
- 687x more than toilet handles
- 404x more than a pen
- 101x more than bathroom door knobs
- 57x more than kitchen countertops
- 1x more than a pet toy
In addition, the survey found that about 75% of the germs on the shopping carts were identified as being harmful to humans. So, what’s the big deal?
Since baby immune systems don’t mature until about 3 months, this makes them more susceptible to picking up one of those germs.
Even after month 3, they are still more likely to get a bad germ since they have not developed the same antibodies as you. It takes being exposed to the bacteria to develop immunity from it.
Credit: Reuse This Bag Shopping Cart Survey
Qualities of a Great Shopping Cart Cover
Machine washable. It doesn’t do much good if the shopping cart cover picks up new germs without the ability to easily disinfect it. You should be able to toss it in with your baby’s clothes to wash away any germs, drool, or spills on the cover. Machine washable covers will make your life so much easier.
Fast-drying. You may be running out the door for a quick shopping trip and forgot to wash the cover. You don’t want to have to leave the cart cover behind because you tried to quickly wash it, but the cover just won’t dry fast enough.
Flexible and stretchable. Not all grocery carts or restaurant high chairs are the same size or shape. Go to any two stores nearby and you’ll see the cart seats have different widths, depths, and maybe framing thickness. You’ll want to make sure it fits the high chair or cart you most frequently use.
Coverage area. Most babies don’t sit still. You should be able to fully cover the handle, sides, and shopping cart seat with ample room to spare in case your baby reaches over the side.
Compact storage. While you want a larger baby shopping cart cover, it should also be able to fold up nice and compact. The cover should be able to fit nicely in your purse, diaper bag, or the reusable grocery bag you bring into the stores.
Easy toy attachment. Any experienced parent knows you’ll need a couple of toys to keep baby occupied during the shopping trip. The cover should have loops or hooks that let you quickly and easily attach a couple of the baby’s favorite toys to the shopping cart.
Reviews of the Best Shopping Cart Covers
1. Infantino Compact 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover
The Infantino 2-in-1 cart covers are some of the most effective at keeping your baby germ free. The cover comes with two loops that let you attach gear like sippy cups, teethers, or toys for your little one to play while you shop. It also has a safety strap to keep your baby securely seated in the cart.
The larger cover size with a universal fit is big enough to fully cover most grocery store cart seats or restaurant high chairs to keep your child safe. When you’re done shopping, the cover can be tossed in the washer with the easy to clean polyester fabric.
WHAT WE LOVE
- 100% polyester fiber makes for easy cleaning (air dry recommended)
- Two loops to attach your baby’s favorite toys for entertainment
- Teether included on one of the toy loops
- Sippy cup strap to prevent dropped and lost cups
- 2-in-1 design and thin padding makes it work on a high chair or even as a car seat cover
- Safety harness helps keep your baby or toddler in the cart
- Cover is machine washable to make sure it’s completely clean
- Fully covers the shopping cart seat, backrest, handlebar, and sides
- Folds into an attached compact pocket/tote for easy travel
- Pocket can also be used to hold essentials on the back of the cart’s seat
- Cute gender-neutral design
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Padding is not incredibly thick
- Slick material makes the cover move around more
- Cover may not fit snuggly depending on the type of shopping cart
Confirmed to fit carts at:
- Target
- Costco
- Walmart
- Publix
- Sam’s Club
2. Croc n frog 2-in-1 Baby Shopping Cart Cover
The Croc-n-frog 2-in-1 is one of the more colorful and fun covers for shopping carts with its owl pattern. The material is made of high quality 100% cotton, which means it’s easier to fold up into the attached pouch and may also be better on children with skin conditions.
The cover is wide enough for most larger carts and high chairs at restaurants. When it comes to safety, it has flaps that extend down the side and is held in place with velcro straps for babies that like to lean over the edge.
WHAT WE LOVE
- 100% cotton material may work better for babies with sensitive skin
- Very large coverage area with flaps to extend down the side of the cart
- Clear pocket to hold a phone on the cart handle to keep baby entertained with a video
- Velcro straps wrap around the cart to keep the cover in place
- Can be used as a high chair cover with the 2-in-1 design
- Easy to fold up into the attached pouch for quick storage
- Fun gender neutral owl design
- Teether toy, bottle strap, and loops to securely hold baby’s toys
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Cotton material isn’t easy to wipe clean if your baby spills a drink or snack
- Velcro straps to secure the cover may not work for larger/thicker carts
- Cover padding is not very thick (better than sitting on the cart)
Confirmed to fit carts at:
- Target
- Costco
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
3. Summer 2-in-1 Cushy Cart Cover and Seat Positioner
The Summer Infant 2-in-1 cart cover is excellent for your infants with the included positioner pillow which is padded for comfort. The cover has a clear pocket where you can slip in your phone to entertain your little one with a show or movie while you shop.
The thick positioner makes it an incredibly comfortable ride and makes sure they stay sitting up straight the whole time. After you’re done shopping, you can fold it up in the pouch and toss it into your diaper tote or purse.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Removable infant positioner props up and provides comfort for younger babies that need extra support
- Positioner can also be used as a pillow for older babies that do better laying down or need a nap (make sure baby is secure)
- Vinyl pocket to hold your smartphone while shopping or to keep baby entertained
- Works on both a cart and high chair for versatile protection
- Folds up into a pouch when not being used
- Thicker padding makes the cart much more comfortable for baby
- Works well as a restaurant high chair cover
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Positioner/bolster only a few inches tall and may not work for bigger babies
- Thicker padding makes it bulkier to carry around
- May not completely cover larger carts
- Not as quick and easy to fold up
Confirmed to fit carts at:
- Target
- Costco
- Walmart
4. Suessie Shopping Cart Cover
The Suessie shopping cart covers come in several different prints that look great and are unisex in design. The velcro straps keep the cover in place and folds up quickly into a convenient travel bag.
The cover comes with a teether and sippy cup strap that also allows you to attach toys to keep your child from dropping them on the ground. This cart cover is big enough that it should fit even some larger carts at the store.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Fits some of the largest carts; including some double seat carts
- Velcro straps help keep the cover in place to make it difficult for a baby to pull off
- Easily attaches to the cart in seconds
- Folds up into a travel bag for easy carrying
- Large clear phone holder for older babies needing distraction (fits most larger phones)
- Includes a teether and straps to hold toys and sippy cups/bottles
- Cover features several trendy patterns
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Almost no padding since it’s just meant to cover the cart
- Difficult to use the cart’s straps/seatbelt to secure baby
- Carts with coffee cup holders on the handle may be a little too long to completely cover
Confirmed to fit carts at:
- Target
- Costco
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
5. Poly Care Shopping Cart Cover
The Poly Care baby shopping cart cover is extra large to fit most grocery shopping carts. The extra padding adds a little more comfort for your child instead of having them sit on hard plastic.
This cover comes with a seat belt that will keep your little one securely in their seat. It’s also safe to clean in the washing machine since it’s made of mostly cotton with a little suede to prevent the cover from slipping.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Extra-large cover fits most grocery carts
- Made of soft cotton on the top and suede material to reduce cover movement
- Reversible cover in case one side gets too dirty during a shopping marathon
- Slightly thicker padding than most other covers
- Machine washable to make clean-up easier
- Attached safety belt will help keep your baby in the carts or high chairs
- Bottle strap can be used for both baby’s bottle or parent’s travel thermos
- Snaps hold the cart cover in place
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Clear smartphone pocket not large enough for bigger phones
- Cover and travel bag is bulkier than other brands
- Does not work as well as a high chair cover
- Drying time after washing longer due to material and thicker padding
- Cart seatbelt doesn’t attach to the shopping cart covers
Confirmed to fit carts at:
- Target
- Costco
- Walmart
- Sam’s Club
Conclusion
Shopping cart covers are your baby’s best defense against the vast amounts of germs that infest carts. Studies have shown that shopping cart handles are one of the easiest places to pick up bacteria that can make your little one or you sick.
The best shopping cart covers we found to protect your baby is the Infantino Compact 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover.
This 2-in-1 cover provides a wide area of coverage, folds up into a travel pouch, and is super easy to clean. It also comes with a teether toy and useful straps to keep your baby’s sippy cup or favorite toys within reach and off the nasty floor.
This is one baby accessory you don’t want to head to the grocery store without!
