Ew! Cover that thing up!

If you know me, you know I'm kinda a germaphobe. If you don't know me, Hi- I'm Angela. I'm a germaphobe. Not like a "What about Bob" germaphobe. Just don't like touching public things. Like bathroom door knobs, the little pull down tab for the paper towel dispenser. Bathroom sinks. Shopping Carts. I'm not too bad though, except when it comes to my kids. I have antibacterial wipes, and foam in every purse I own. And if you know me, you know I own a lot! When I go shopping I wipe down the entire upper rim of the shopping cart. I'd do the whole thing if I had time. And if I could afford all the wipes I'd use to wipe it down. I think I've seen one too many specials on the unimaginable grossness that they find on those things. Unfathomable grossness. Okay, you get the idea.

So here's what I love about shopping cart covers. Not only do they help protect against germs, but they keep those stiff metal baskets cozy. When my son was a wee thing, probably about 6 months he use to fall asleep while I was shopping and he outgrew the infant car-seat really early on so I would just get a comfy blanket and prop him up in the shopping card with the padded cover. He would eventually get sleepy and all I would have to do is lay him down and he'd fall right asleep as I shopped. It was truly God-sent. I can't imagine him being comfy enough on the naked cold metal basket.

For some reason, when I like something, I can't just have one. I have three shopping cart covers. One I spent a lot of money on. (it was before I even had my son, and I felt like he needed the best of the best!) I have one that I made with my lovely mother in law, and another I bought off of etsy.com. <--Another one of my favs but we'll go there at another time. I have purchased two different types of patterns and tons of fabric, all in the hopes of making another one one day. I really am a crafy person on the inside. It's the lazy-can't ever finish a product person on the outside that reins dominant. And that chick just won't let me get started. I am a begginer sewer. Patterns confuse the heck out of me and I fair much better figuring things out on my own. But since I don't have room in my teeny house for any sewing projects, starting a sewing project is super time consuming and I just don't have the time.

There are a ton of different brands out there of shopping cart covers, and different types. Some cover the whole child basket, some cover just the back rest and handles, and some just cover the handles. For me, the kind that covers the whole child basket is for me. The ones I have are great in the fact that they have fit all sorts of baskets, from the teeny ones to the jumbo ones from Sams Club.

Mine is similar to this one but different patterns.

(found this picture on handmade4baby.com I have never shopped with this person before, I just did a quick google search looking for a similar cover to mine) This type also fits nicely on those super gross, never washed restaurant high chairs.This one is made by Jackaboo Great idea and great patterns, just not enough coverage for me.

This one is by Munchkin. Neat little play thing but I think it would get irritating having that bar in your face.

This one has the padding in the back, and looks easy to put on. But the thing that concerns me is that they can still grab the side of the cart. Listen people, I don't like a single inch of these things exposed! This cute cover is by Infantino.

So there you have it. A handly little lists of only a few different types of shopping cart covers out there. I know it sometimes sounds extreme to avoid germs. And germs help build a strong immune system. But I challenge you to google the kind of stuff they find on these things and tell me how exactly one builds an immune system agains some of the things on there. Once you do- embrace the info... and welcome to the dark side!