The present invention comprises a system and method for removing contaminates from the surface of a shopping cart such as a grocery cart. The system includes subjecting the cart to multiple stages of disinfection, including washing, sanitizing, and drying stages. A shopping cart is subjected to these stages by conveying the cart on a conveyor system past a plurality of nozzles, which are configured to provide a disinfecting fluid such as water, sanitizer or air.The invention uses sensors to detect the location of a shopping cart during the sanitizing process. The sensors provide indications of the cart's location which may be used to control the operation of the disinfecting stages on the conveyor belt.