thanks...
Kabin

Konteyner

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There are many issues regarding shopping carts in regard to cleanliness and the use by so many different people. One solution I know of, especially for those with small kids, is a covering that can be taken to the store and placed in the cart on the fold down seat and handle then removed and washed later. Check out toadallycovered.com.

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I work in a grocery store and often when I am in the ladies' room, I have observed MANY customers who use the toilet and then just walk out the door! Perhaps to then go sort through the apples? Shopping carts in general are loaded with e-coli bacteria which is from unwashed hands as one source.
Even those who wash - many just do a quick rinse off and out they go. You should suds your hands (include those thumbs!) for no less than 30 seconds. And I have been taught that to disinfect effectively, you need to keep a surface wet with the disinfectant for no less than 60 seconds. When one does not disinfect / wash up correctly - all is for naught. Kids can learn these simple rules as well. We accept getting sick so frequently as normal and most people are very inconsiderate when it comes to sharing their germs.

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I forgot to add, I steer away from antimicrobial products. Many of my patients are ill with resistant bacterial diseases, I've seen the effect and cost this has on our health care system.

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Alcohol gel, get youself a small bottle for purse or pocket, it can also be wiped over the cart handle. Personally, I carry one to clean my hands after handling soggy packages of meat at the meat counter.

When it comes to cart germs, I'm more concerned with the child seat and how many have sat there in soiled diapers. I'm compulsive about cleaning the bottom of my purse before taking it home.

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My problem with providing wipes is the amount of waste that will be produced. I would much rather see the store managers spend their money on a kid's part-time job wage to wipe all the handles down at the end of the day with a reusable rag. Imagine if every grocery store had these wipes, that's A LOT of waste!

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A healthy immune system, sufficient sun exposure (or vitamin D & A supplementation) plenty of quality sleep and a balanced diet (without a bunch of processed, chemical laden toxins) are the best defenses in preparing your body to deal with daily bacterial exposures. "Germaphobes" beware! Certain ingredients in antibacterial products are far more dangerous and harmful than the "bugs" they are manufactured to combat; Triclosan being a biggie (endocrine disruptor) that mimics hormones in you body and may result in reproductive harm....
Regular but not obsessive hand washing with plain soap is a great idea as the alkalinity of the soap will help take care of the germs for you. Oh, yeah, and don't get a Flu Shot for Pete's sake!

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I personally think that wiping off shopping carts, doorknobs and everything else we touch is more to make people feel good mentally. I doubt it does much physically. As for protecting your kids, accept that you can only do so much. As they get older they will be places you aren't and do things that would make your hair stand on end (I have four kids, ages 18 to 27). It's really more about cleanliness in general, lifestyle, eating habits, exercise etc.

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Absolutely I agree with the woman who mentiontioned having small children and wiping the cart down-I take wipes in with tea tree oil on them or Colloidal silver and keep a package in the car. This has cut down massively on the # of times we get sick. I do have small children. We live a very holistic lifestyle and while I am all for developing my childrens immune system- they say on average children get a dozen colds plus several flus a season. I'm sorry but the reality is none of them come down with it at the same time and it's exhausting and inconvenient to continually get sick. It is also NOT convenient to traipse your whole crew to the bathroom to wash hands at the supermarket. With little ones, they have their hands in their mouth all the time. With my kids it's an hour home after shopping and they want an apple or a banana after leaving the store, which means carrying homemade wipes etc in the car so their hands are clean before eating. Remember, years ago mothers did not take their kids to the mall every day like my friends do now, nor to play centers, shopping etc. and children weren't crowded 1000 per school or in many of my friends small childrens classes - 25-33 students (at age 4!!!) per class per teacher!!! Mothers and families were 'on the farm' so to speak and not bombarded with the # of viruses and bugs out there and yes- now the superbugs! I'm all for prevention and anything stores are doing to raise awareness of PROPER hygeine, I say GOOD FOR THEM!

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These are some very good comments. These antibacterial wipes are unnecessary, increase risk of superbugs, impede immune system development, etc. In addition, some of these products say specifically on their packaging that one should always wash hands after using! (Obviously unlikely in the supermarket setting).

As for vinegar, yes, it does kill germs, and along with baking soda is the best all-purpose cleaner for home use. See this article at the website of my organization, Toxics Information Project (TIP):

28 Practical Uses for Vinegar, Nature's Magic Cleanser

By Michelle Satanek

Have you overlooked the many practical uses of vinegar? Clean, disinfect and shine for pennies! Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen has cited numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar such as you can buy in the supermarket kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can't claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. www.toxicsinfo.org/house/28Vinegar.htm

Also, find much more in the same section of our site:
www.toxicsinfo.org/TIPS_house.htm#

Liberty Goodwin, TIP Director

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