How To Protect hardwood floors from walkers? It’s a question that people who are using walkers ask themselves every single day. Find out an answer here!!
While using a walker, seniors can improve their mobility and can be independent around the house. Dragging walkers across the hardwood floors can cause scratches and other damages to the surface. There are a few options for protecting your floors when walking around your house with a walker.
The good news is that you can either protect your floors from the walker’s bottom or do a few things to assist them in protecting themselves – or both if you really want to.
What Are the Floor protectors for walkers ?- Things you can Add
1. Tennis Balls On walkers
This is a very common addition to walkers, and it is also not very costly. The four feet of a standard walker without wheels can drag against the floor, especially if you can’t fully lift it off the ground. The dirt and debris that collects on the bottoms of the feet can easily cause scratches.
While tennis balls may seem like a strange addition, it works to protect your floors. First, the tennis ball will absorb the pressure exerted on the hardwood floor and protect it from being scratched. Secondly, using a tennis ball as a floor protector for walkers will allow your loved one to move more gently. Given that you need to apply some knob on it for it not to roll away, this will force your loved ones to go slower so that they can balance themselves.
Even if you only use it inside, the tennis balls will absorb moisture, which might cause your walker to rust prematurely if something spills or your shoes bring water into the house. These caps can be placed on the bottom of your walker to help prevent rusting and protect your walker.
A walking cane serves as the best solution for the balancing problem while walking. Read Our guide on Best Canes for Balance Problems for Seniors
Image Credit: Pixabay
2. Foot Pads On Walker
This is another way to protect your floors from the walker, especially when they are not heavily used.
A footpad will help your loved one control their body and apply more force to each step to prevent damaging the floor.
You can even opt for an extra thick foot pad so that you can ensure your floors are well protected.
The downside of this is that it takes some time for you to put it on as it takes about 30 minutes or 1 hour before you can use it again. They may also gather dust and pet hair around the bottom, so you’ll have to be careful to keep the walkers clean and free of dirt.
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3. Walker Glides
Walker Glides are an excellent choice for seniors to be able to use their walkers at home safely. It is a rubber pad or plastic walker glides that can be placed under the wheels of the walker. This provides more cushion between the hardwood floor and the wheels, thus preventing scratches or wear and tear on your floors.
On the other hand, plastic walker glides are not like tennis balls in that they do not gather up bacteria when you move the walker across the floor. As a result, they are antibacterial and may be better for people who suffer from allergies or are sensitive to dust and dirt.
Walker glides are also simple to install on your walker. They press into the walker’s bottom and keep it in place. They’re made in such a way that nearly anyone can put them in the walker and take them out to replace them if they get damaged or broken.
Walker glides for hardwood floors are easy to use; you place it underneath the wheel and roll your walker across the floor like normal, but now you can do it without worrying about damaging your hardwood floors.
4. Walker Glide Covers
Walker Glide Covers are another option that you can use to protect your floors. This is a more advanced version of the Walker Glides i.e. a cover that goes over the existing wheels of the walker. The benefit of this option is that you do not have to purchase new types of walker glides, simply buy some Walkers glide covers and put them on, thus saving you money. However, you need to be careful when using this method because the covers may come off and get misplaced during use.
5. Walker Socks
Walker Socks are another option for protecting your floors. This is a small piece of fabric that can be placed over the existing wheels, thus preventing scratches from being caused. Walker socks are inexpensive and easy to install; however, they may come off during use and can be challenging to put back on due to the small size of the socks.
6. Feet Caps
These are soft-bottomed plastic devices that slip into the bottom of each leg of a walker. They are also typically a little wider than a standard walker’s feet, which can aid with balance and walker use.
Depending on the type of walker you have, you can buy these in groups of two or four. They can also be taken off for cleaning or if the walker you’re using is a rental that needs to be returned.
7. FELT STRIPS
This alternative is comparable to furniture pads, but felt strips may usually be cut to the appropriate size. You might not be able to obtain the proper size because furniture pads are commonly pre-cut. The idea is that they will adhere to the bottoms of the walker’s feet and will be soft against the floor, preventing scratching.
If you are wondering how to go about shopping for an upright walker, we’ve pulled together some of the best upright walkers for seniors to consider.
Conclusion
Hardwood floors in your home are a great way to add value to the place. This can be achieved by taking care of the hardwood floors and protecting them from damage done by daily use. Walker glide covers, walker glides, and walkers socks are effective methods you can use for this purpose.
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