Dirty stroller wheels are a big problem for parents during the autumn and winter period. In order for the apartment not to turn into a semblance of a street (if vehicles are not left in the stairwell), the wheels have to be washed daily. To solve this problem, wheel covers for a baby carriage were invented.
Varieties
It happens that strollers are equipped with protective covers for the wheels initially. However, the absence of this accessory in the kit should not cause panic, since almost all covers are universal and can be used for any model of strollers. They differ in diameter by the following:
- 35-40 cm;
- 30–35 cm;
- 25-29 cm;
The range of choices depends on the specific brand and the breadth of its range of wheel covers. For example, you can buy four of the same type of covers for a classic stroller or cases of different sizes that are needed for a three-wheeled stroller or only for swivel front wheels.
If you have time and certain skills, you can sew wheel covers with your own hands. The material is selected to be water-repellent. Velcro or elastic bands can be used as fasteners.
How to apply?
Protective covers are put on the wheels before you bring the stroller into the house or load into the trunk of a car. The cover is carefully put on and closed tightly with a drawstring. If everything is done correctly, neither dirt nor thawed snow will seep through the protection and ruin the floor covering of the apartment. Before getting ready for the next walk, the stroller needs to be taken to the entrance, or even better - to the street, remove the covers, turn them inside out and shake out the contents.
How to do it yourself?
The material from which the wheel covers are made must be well washable and quick-drying. Creative parents can make covers from plastic bags of the required size. The advantage of products made from this material is that they do not need to be washed. As they become dirty, the bags are simply thrown away and put on new ones. The disadvantage of protective cellophane capes is the consumption of a large amount of material.
In order to sew covers that can be used for a long time, you will need materials and tools such as:
- water-repellent fabric (bologna);
- threads;
- elastic;
- lanyard with a lock;
- scissors;
- pin;
- needle.
In order for the dirt from wet wheels not to stain the floor covering in the apartment, the fabric for the covers must be waterproof, but at the same time not very dense, otherwise it will not be possible to tighten the elastic band on the cape tightly. The ideal fabric would be Bologna or something similar. Before starting to cut the fabric, you need to measure the diameter and circumference of the wheels.
Cut out the required number of circles from the fabric, which should be 20 centimeters larger than the diameter of the wheel itself. Then cut out rectangles that are 6 centimeters wide and 3 centimeters longer than the wheel's circumference. The number of rectangles should be the same as the number of circles, from which the drawstrings will be made.
If the fabric is sprinkled around the edges, it must be overcast by hand or overlocked. The rectangles need to be bent in half and sewn to the circles. Before stitching the parts, the circles are assembled by comparing their circumference with the length of the rectangles. A string is threaded into the drawstring (using a pin), and clips are put on the ends. The drawstring can be replaced with an elastic band. Finished covers visually resemble a small beret. Covers for swivel front wheels can be made in the form of a strip, the edges of which are tightened with an elastic band. The ends of such a case are connected with Velcro.
Manufacturers
For those who do not like and do not know how to sew, manufacturers of wheelchair covers for baby strollers offer a wide range of models.
- Russian brand SportBaby produces nylon covers with a water-repellent effect in five colors: green, brown, dark and light gray, pink. The diameter of the wheels is 25 and 30 centimeters. Fastening is carried out using an elastic band sewn to the edges.
- Another Russian manufacturer of wheel covers is Vitosha, which produces products in 6 colors from moisture and dustproof material with a diameter of up to 32 centimeters. The covers can be washed at +30 degrees and ironed. The declared service life is 5 years.
- Domestic brand Leader kids presents stroller covers with a diameter of 22 centimeters in two colors: black and khaki. In the manufacture of products, high-quality waterproof material with firmly attached fittings is used.
- Russian company Esperro manufactures covers for swivel wheels. The diameter of the covers for the front wheels is 24 centimeters, for the rear ones - 30 centimeters. The products are suitable for strollers of the following brands: Grand Tour, Newborn Lux, Discovery, Tour, Magic, I-Nova. Covers are attached using elastic bands sewn along the edges and a fixing button. Products do not lose their original shape even after repeated washings.
The companies "Karapuz" and Baby Care also specialize in the production of covers for strollers with swivel wheels. Chinese brand SimpleParenting produces plastic cases. Their weight is only 250 grams. They provide reliable protection, are easy to attach and clean.
Reviews
On numerous Internet forums, you can find reviews in which mothers write that wet wheels, being in covers, rust. In fact, only cheap stroller brands have this problem. If, nevertheless, there are concerns about the condition of the wheels of the stroller, it is worth purchasing protective covers that cover only the rubber part of the wheel.
Most moms are sure that wheel covers are a must. The floor in the apartment, the staircase, and the car will be clean.
Although there are also those on the forums who have never used such devices for wheelchairs. Alternatively, rugs are used: old tablecloths, a bundle of socks and tights, and the like, on which all the dirt flows. Someone leaves the stroller in the stairwell, and after the dirt has dried, brushes it off the wheels with a broom, someone immediately washes the wheels.
Some mothers write that the use of covers in dark colors (burgundy, black) can leave stripes on light linoleum and laminate.
How to sew the covers for the wheels of a baby stroller with your own hands, see the next video.
