An apparatus for washing a shopping cart may include a wash chamber with a main door and/or a pivoting ramp under the main door. A platform may be disposed in the wash chamber and may be elevated above a floor of the wash chamber. A sump may be included in the basin. The cart washer may include an automatic and/or a manual mode of operation. During use, the shopping cart may be placed in the wash chamber and may be elevated above the floor while it is washed and/or rinsed. A wash detergent may be used during a wash cycle and/or a rinse solution may be used during a rinse cycle. Dirty water may be drained from the apparatus between carts that are to be washed.