A question for every one who uses a walker, wheelchair, and/or some type of...

[LeKe]

...equipment both indoors & outdoors? Is there a way of quickly cleaning my walkers wheels before entering a building?

I have a good friend who recently bought a house, I have one problem with the house: It's got white carpet. I am afraid when I go to her house I am going to ruin her rug, with my dirty wheels. She asks everyone to take off their shoes, she knows I need the walker to walk and can't take off the wheels. If I clean them at home before I go to her house they will get dirty by the time I get there.

I take my walker every place outside in the grass, mud, dry dirt, on the hot pavement of parking lots, in restaurants where people drop food and it's not cleaned up right away so you walk through it and my wheels pick it up, every place that you would walk my wheels go, so they get pretty dirty.

I can't bend down to wipe them with any thing. So I need some thing that I can roll on or put the wheels in that will clean the dirt off them quickly like under 2 minutes.I'm not too concerned about germs.

I only have one walker and can't afford another one for indoor use only.

This is a very serious question.

 

[spicey]

Gosh--you are so nice to ask. I have been a nursing assistant for 16 years and help other elderly/disabled people in the community. I don't think there IS a way, other than keeping the wheels clean. Newer wheels probably stay cleaner--older wheels will be pitted or cracked, and hold more soil. Ask your friend what you should do. Throw rugs could be treacherous for you. You are so sweet and considerate to ask! And after all my years in the idustry, I'm ashamed that I never ran across this before. I had an extended family in-law with white carptet once--she was a snot and everyone had to leave their shoes by the door and wear the socks SHE provided. White carpet--how pathetic.

 

[hitechcountryboy]

Hi,

Maybe you can try carrying a large scotch pad or even something like a wash cloth. Drop it on the ground and run the wheels over it a few times to clean them. The only problem is that you would have to pick it up.

I will try and think of other ideas for you.

I have a walker that is brand new. I only used it one day when I got home from the hospital. If you want it, I will give it to you. Let me know if your interested, I can send you a picture of it if you want. If you live in the U.S. shipping it should be easy. It folds up.
(just click on my profile and send me a message)

Good luck

 

[BethyR]

If your friend is so worried about her carpet she would allow you to purchase a boot mat and put it outside her home

you can use this to clean all types of things not just boots