Abstract: A method of sanitizing shopping carts by applying a sanitizing fluid to the shopping carts. A pressurized supply of sanitizing fluid is applied to the shopping carts contained with a cart enclosure through a series of spray nozzles mounted along a spray arch. The sanitizing fluid is created in a chemical-down system and includes a sanitizing agent including peroxyacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and a carrier such as water. The sanitizing fluid further includes a surfactant mixed into a supply of fresh water. The sanitizing fluid is applied to the shopping carts at ambient temperature and is allowed to air dry.

Abstract: A cart sanitizing system is disclosed for applying a sanitizing fluid to sanitize a shopping cart. A pressurized supply of sanitizing fluid is applied to the cart contained within a cart enclosure through a series of spray nozzles mounted along a spray arch. The pressurized sanitizing fluid is supplied to the spray arch from a pressure tank, which is fed with the supply of sanitizing fluid from a chemical make-down system. The chemical make-down system creates the sanitizing fluid, which preferably includes a sanitizing agent and a surfactant mixed within fresh water. The sanitizing fluid is created by a mixing device by flowing the fresh water over inlet tubes for both the sanitizing agent and the surfactant. The mixture of the surfactant and sanitizing agent allows the sanitizing fluid to be applied to the shopping carts and eliminates the requirement for drying.