With three children under the age of 6, Karl Wilton (33) knows all about germs, and through trial and error has come up with a product aimed at keeping them under wraps.
The idea for his Trolley Wrap came from wife Netta (29), who asked him to invent something to prevent their first-born son sucking trolley handles during their fortnightly visit to the supermarket.
"She was always using a bib over the handle to stop him from sucking on it directly . . . she is a bit of a neat freak."
The self-confessed inventor said his wife loved the wrap and it had made trips to the supermarket much easier.
The wrap worked by preventing hands - and mouths - from coming into contact with any germs on the trolley handle, which were known for carrying bacteria, he said.
Mr Wilton said he trialled plastic pipes, foam, and paper, before settling on non-woven polypropylene - the material of reusable shopping bags.
The blue wrap fits most trolley handles.
It is placed over them and then fastened with velcro.
Set to be trialled at Invercargill supermarkets Elles Rd New World and Pak'n Save, the Indonesian-made trolley handle wrap would cost 90c, and could be washed and used again.
"We have put them through the washing machine umpteen times, and they come out pretty good."
Mr Wilton said if his idea was picked up nationally, he hoped to be able to save for a family home.
Foodstuffs South Island general manager retail Alan Malcolmson said the company would monitor customer demand for the product before making any further decisions.
Trolleys at the company's Pak'n Save, New World and Four Square supermarkets were cleaned daily, he said.
