Product Review: Eddie Bauer Shopping Cart Cover

While shopping, prior to having my own child, I would sometimes see mothers using fabric shopping cart seat covers for their babies. I usually thought the mother was overly protective against germs. I figured I didn't need a cart cover when I was a child and I didn't become ill from shopping cart germs.

But, it seems the difference between then and now is awareness. Since I've had a baby, watching the news and reading magazines reminds me constantly of the need to protect my family from microorganisms, which are, according to the media, very dangerous and everywhere. Whether I believe this or not, I can't even say for sure, but I can't help but be on the safe side, and live like I do. The first time I placed my daughter in the child seat of a shopping cart, I became suddenly aware of how dirty and corroded shopping cart seats and handles actually appear. When we left the store, my teething child was chewing on her fingers, and I felt like a horrible mother for having let her touch the shopping cart.

Before I could place her in another shopping cart I had to rush out and purchase a shopping cart seat cover. I opted for the Eddie Bauer shopping cart cover, since it was priced comparably to others I'd seen, around $20.00, and I liked the neutral design, as well as the loops that can attach toys to the cover.

One convenient feature, the Eddie Bauer shopping cart cover folds up into a built-in bag with handles. Simply unfolding the bag turns the product into the shopping cart cover.

The cover is fairly easy to assemble on the shopping cart. Elastic helps stretch it fully over the handle and seat back, and ties keep the sides covered and in place. Yet It does take a little time to get fully in place. There is a seat belt attached to secure the child. Folding the cover back into the bag, though, can be difficult to figure out. For ease of use, I would say the Eddie Bauer shopping cart cover would earn a 7 out of 10.