Do baby walkers scratch hardwood floor? For many parents, the baby walker has been a godsend. It allows you to have your hands free while your child is exploring his or her surroundings. As long as you are supervising, there should not be any problems with the use of this device.
However, it would be better if you could avoid using it on hardwood flooring because this type of surface can easily get scratched by the wheels on the walker.
Different Types of Baby Walkers Wheels?
The material used for each wheel is typically plastic and rubber. The wheels can be soft depending on the model you choose to buy. Earlier models usually had hard rubber tires with steel rims, as opposed to today’s version that usually comes with soft plastic tires and plastic/ metal rims.
Some brands also use foam rubber instead of actual rubber because it is more durable and offers a better grip than its predecessor. As such, if your baby walker has wheels made of hard plastic and steel (or even materials), there will be the tendency to scratch the hardwood floor.
Do Baby Walkers Scratch Hardwood Floor?
This is a question that many parents have asked themselves. They know that baby walkers can be quite dangerous, so they are wondering if buying this device might prove to be an extra hazard.
The truth is that it depends on the surface where you will use the walker. For example, if you’re planning on using it on hardwood flooring, then your best bet would be to place some sort of mat or rug under the walker at all times.
This way, the wheels won’t damage the hardwood while your child is playing with it. If you find out later on that there are scratches on the floor, don’t fret because there are plenty of ways to fix this problem.
How to Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floor?
Scratches on hardwood floors are quite easy to take care of. This is especially true if the damage is minimal and the scratch is just a light one. Here’s what you can do:
1) Try using toothpaste
here’s how you should go about it: apply some toothpaste onto a soft cloth and rub the area where there were scratches until they disappear completely. Keep in mind that this method works best for small scratches, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work as well for deep ones;
2) Use car wax
You can use any type of car wax (for example Turtle Wax), but make sure it doesn’t contain abrasives or silicones because these chemicals can actually cause the scratches to become even deeper! Just take a dry cloth and apply some car wax onto it. Buff the surface gently until all of the scratches are gone.
3) Use a hardwood repair kit
if the scratches are too deep, then they might be impossible to remove with toothpaste or car wax. In such cases, we recommend buying a hardwood repair kit and following its instructions carefully. These kits usually come with all the tools and chemicals you need in order to fix your wooden floor and make it look like new again without having to call in professionals;
4) Try varnishing the flooring
when light scratches don’t go away by using one of the methods mentioned above, then you can always try varnishing the wooden flooring. This method is especially popular among homeowners who want their wood floors to retain their original looks (and even better!) while also making them more resistant against scratches. It’s the best of both worlds, really!
5) Use a soft cloth
if you don’t want to use any of the methods described above (or you don’t have time or money for doing so), then you can simply protect your wooden flooring by placing a soft cloth under the baby walker at all times. This way, you’ll be able to avoid scratching the surface while also keeping your child safe and sound.
6) Repolish the flooring
This is another method that might be worth trying, but it can be quite costly. Repolishing hardwood floors involves removing the old finish so the surface becomes smooth again. Then you sand it and apply a new layer of finishing onto it to make sure that your wood floor becomes protected against future damage.
Using a baby walker on hardwood floors is not that big of a deal as long as you take proper safety measures and handle this device with care. However, it’s always better to use one on surfaces other than wood because they were made for this purpose in the first place – providing babies with help when walking.
What Types of Wheels Should You Have on a Baby Walker if Your House Has Hardwood Floors?
While shopping for a baby walker, you might have come across models with different types of wheels. One question you might be asking yourself is whether it would be better to get one with rubber or plastic wheels. Here are some quick facts about both options:
Rubber wheels are great because they don’t leave behind any scratches on hardwood flooring. They also offer more stability than plastic ones do, plus the fact that they roll silently makes them even more appealing;
Plastic wheels can scratch your wooden floors in just a short amount of time if you’re not careful enough when using the device, so make sure to avoid these models when possible!
If you still can’t decide whether to get rubber or plastic wheels for your baby walker, then consider getting one with rubber tires that are surrounded by plastic. This way, you’ll be able to get all of the benefits associated with both types of wheels!
Do Baby Walkers Scratch Hardwood Floor – Conclusion
We hope that this article answered all of your questions about do baby walkers scratch hardwood floor?
Now that you have learned more about how scratches are caused by baby walkers and what can be done to remove them, it should be much easier to decide whether or not using a baby walker on hardwood flooring is worth the risk.