( 2 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 15 2009
We have high sinks, faucets that don't extend very far out, and a child who is only barely at 50th percentile for height (just turned 2 at time of purchase). As we looked to encourage her to wash her hands (initially, just for general cleaniless, but later more frequently with potty training), I had a hard time finding a stool that was high enough her her to step up onto easily AND that would get her high enough to actually wash her hands. This stool is the solution!! We first saw the floor model in a store but they had none in stock. We later bought online but for about $22-25. We have two - one in the kitchen, and one in a bathroom. The stool is heavy (read: sturdy, not going anywhere while your kid is going up/down), but was easy to assemble (arrives packaged flat). The stool is *not* a spacesaver, but given the drawbacks that other stools posed and the intended user, that was not our primary focus. We looked at more complex, expensive models (tower-like) that are interesting conceptually but much too large for our home (and also $80-100). We already own a couple of inexpensive step-stools, including one that it technically for children, but none of them went up high enough. One reviewer pointed out that these stools don't run up flush with walls, counters, etc. but have not found that problematic. I saw another model at IKEA ("Bekvam") that I think goes up plenty high, but it wasn't available at the time that we needed it, and when I actually saw it in person, I found that the distance from lower to higher step was really too great. Initially we assisted our child in going up and down. One of our sinks is a pedastel and so we are very careful around that one. In the kitchen, with the counter to lean on, less supervision is needed, and now she can go down backwards by herself as well. We use it for handwashing, and now to do other things on the kitchen counter with her. Stool availability seems to be an issue. I have tried to purchase four times (once in store, twice online in 2008, and now once in 2009, for another home) and each time they were out. Don't let that deter you - these are worth it! Overall we are VERY pleased with these stools. Will be useful even after our child stops needing them. We have them in white, and they wipe clean nicely.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jun 3 2009
This stepping stool is VERY heavy. It also creates a weird gap between the front of the top step and whatever it is pushed against. Not a very good use of space. Also, not for use with a toilet because it puts the child too high to then sit down on the toilet. Perhaps best used to wash hands and things of that sort.
