Are you trying for a quick and easy fix to improve your walker’s mobility? If so, the ideal trick for you is cutting tennis balls to match your walker’s legs. This simple and reasonably priced do-it-yourself project can help to protect your floors, increase traction, and lower noise levels.
Here, we’ll walk you through the steps how to cut tennis balls for walkers and provide some valuable tips. Let’s start making your walker more functional and user-friendly, bidding farewell to scuffed flooring and noisy walks!
Why Tennis Balls on Walkers?
Many patients require assistance in walking due to age and other health conditions. Medical stores supply walker for them. But these walkers are designed to hold the floor surface very rigidly. Therefore, some patients cannot even pull them up while stepping forward. This not only hampers the persons mobility but also makes unwanted noises.
Hence, they must come up with some hacks to ensure that their walker is moving smoothly and effortlessly without compromising the grip. Adding a tennis ball at the lower end or leg of walker is an excellent alternative here.
Should I Use Tennis Balls on Walkers
 Though everyone has their own opinion regarding using tennis balls on walkers, let’s examine the pros and cons before jumping to conclusions.               .
Benefits of Tennis Balls on Walkers
Using two or four tennis balls on your walkers has several significant advantages:Â Â
- As was already said, they assist the user to lift the walker for sliding.   Though most walkers are not extremely heavy, the user must be strong and able to keep up with all the moving and lifting.
- Â Tennis balls also reduce the noise from constant moving of walkers. With passing time, the bottom of walkers wears out and makes loud noises with movement. Using tennis balls on the bottom, makes the walkers silent .
- Furthermore, tennis balls provide stability when used with the walker.
- Using tennis balls is far less costly than purchasing fresh walkers “soles.”
Drawbacks Of Tennis Balls on Walkers
While utilizing tennis balls on a walker has certain positive aspects, there are also some negative ones. Some of them are these.
- According to some experts, certain health risks could be associated with using tennis balls in walkers. The CEO of NOVA, Sue Chen, has advised against using them due to their danger, filth, and potential health risks associated with the bacteria on the tennis balls.
- According to Chen and a few other experts, Tennis balls can potentially accelerate a walker’s wear and tear.
- Someone must double-check the placement of the tennis balls. Erroneous fixes may increase the end user’s risk of safety problems.
- It’s hardly stylish to stroll around with tennis balls on your feet.
How To Cut Tennis Balls For Walker?
You will need a box cutter and something to keep the tennis ball in place—a vice—for this job. Before you cut the tennis ball, you might also hole it with a hammer and nail. The following are the procedures:
What Will You Need?
- Four tennis balls
- An old tennis racket for added support
- A box cutter or sharp knife
- A cutting board
- Soapy water and a cloth for cleaning
Sanitizing the tennis balls
Clean the balls using warm water and a cloth to remove dirt or other objects. Maintaining the cleanliness and germ-free nature of the walker depends mainly on this phase. Proceed on to the following stage once the balls have dried.
Pick out a surface for cutting.
Set it on a cutting board to prevent someone from getting injured by the ball. Placing the ball in the strings of an old tennis racket and cutting while maintaining the racket will still help you make the base more steady.
Making a Slit
Cut a 1.5-inch (4-centimeter) hole on one side of every ball with a box cutter or a sharp knife. Make sure you just cut through the rubber—not the core within. The slit should be at the proper length to match the leg of the walker.
Putting Tennis Balls on the Walker
Just stretch them a little and plop each ball onto the ends of the walker’s legs once the balls have dried and you have made the slits. Press it gently to ensure the ball is tight, providing the correct cushion and stability.
Tips for Maintenance tennis balls on Walker
If the walkers are used often, tennis balls could gradually lose grip or tear. Check the balls frequently to be sure they are firmly attached to the legs of the walker. Replace the balls should they grow worn or damaged.
Checks Often
Make sure the tennis balls are securely fastened, and frequently inspect them for indications of wear and tear.
Schedule for Replacement
To ensure they continue to function appropriately, tennis balls may need to be replaced every few months, depending on how frequently they are used.
Can You Use Regular Tennis Balls on a Walker?
Regular tennis balls placed on a walker can improve the comfort and mood of users. Tennis balls under your walker feet will help you to make walking easier. When your feet slide across the floor, they lessen friction and absorb stress. To prevent the ball from rolling about and falling off, its breadth should be larger than your walker’s rear.
Before pairing the tennis balls, you might also have to adjust the height of your walker. Thus, ensure enough room between your feet and the ground to avoid tripping over uneven ground. Although conventional tennis balls effectively cushion, if you like greater cushioning, you could choose rubber wheels that last longer than standard tennis balls.
Remember that various kinds of walks demand different types of wheels. See your doctor or another healthcare source first before altering your gadget!
What Can Cut Through a Tennis Ball?
You’ve come to the right place if you’ve been looking for a gadget that can cut through a tennis ball. Making an incision in a tennis ball’s rubber shell is possible by carefully slicing through the felt exterior with a sharp knife or razor blade. However, there are other options if you don’t have access to either of those programs.
For example, scissors with incredibly sharp blades also work nicely. In addition, various power instruments, including circular saws and rotary cutters, can function effectively on tennis balls if they have abrasive disks or blades with extremely sharp cutting edges. Kitchen knives are also an excellent alternative to think about because some people use them to cut through rigid materials like canvas or leather.
How to Cut Open a Tennis Ball With Scissors
Cutting a tennis ball with scissors is straightforward. First, ensure your scissors are nice and sharp, and find an excellent spot to work on. Just take your time and cut around the edge of the ball, being careful not to go too deep so you don’t mess up the inside.
Just take your time and cut through both sides of the felt until it comes off the rubber core. Then, peel away one side of the felt at a time to get inside. Take it easy so you don’t damage or ripping any part of the ball while you’re at it.
Final words
One easy yet practical approach to improving the functionality of mobility assistance is to make tennis ball walkers glide. Repurposing these commonplace objects will help you maintain flooring, increase mobility, and lower noise levels as you move about. This original technique not only helps the walker user but also prolongs the lifetime of the equipment itself. Therefore, think about this creative do-it-yourself trick for a better walking experience next time you want to update your walker.
FAQ
Are Tennis Balls on Walkers Safe?
Tennis balls are safe additions to a walker. Tennis balls are placed on walkers' bottoms to increase their safety. The felt of the tennis balls increases surface area and keeps the walker in position. Tennis balls are relatively strong, but they may become shredded or damaged when they slide on rough surfaces. Make sure you only proceed on specific surfaces.
Why Do Tennis Balls On Walkers Need To Be Replaced?
Tennis balls lose their cushioning effect and become less effective in minimizing noise and protecting flooring.
How Can I Make Sure The Walker Stays Clear Of Falling Tennis Balls?
The tennis balls' cuts should be a manageable size as well. Check them periodically to ensure they remain in place securely.