Step 'n Wash Updates Kids' Restroom Stool
The company Step 'n Wash has refined its floor-mounted step stool designed to help children reach sinks in commercial restrooms. The updated version features a cleaner profile with rounded edges and concealed hardware, developed in collaboration with architects and designers.
The concept for Step 'n Wash originated from a frustrating personal experience. Founder Joi Sumpton was holding her three-year-old son up to a public restroom sink when she realized the wet, sharp counter edge was pressing into his stomach, causing him to cry. This incident highlighted a common problem for parents, leading Sumpton to hire an Atlanta engineering firm to create a solution. After numerous designs and prototypes, the floor-mounted, self-retracting step stool was launched in 2007. Since its launch, the company has installed over 30,000 of its stools in commercial restrooms worldwide. One major client is Target, which rolled out the stools in all of its U.S. stores after a successful five-location pilot program. The product is designed with safety as a primary concern, constructed from stainless steel and tested to support up to 800 pounds. It features a non-slip rubber tread and a "no pinch-point" design, and has maintained a perfect safety record with no incidents or liability claims since 2007. A survey found that 92.8% of parents struggle to help their children wash hands properly in public restrooms. The stool aims to provide independence for children and dignity for adults with dwarfism or other height-related disabilities. In late 2023, the business was acquired by Jacob Fedosky, who has continued the company's mission of creating more accessible environments.
