Why you Shouldn’t Wear Shoes in your House

Why it’s Time for a No-shoes Policy in Your Household

What does Japan, Hawaii, and Scandinavia have in common? A no-shoes policy inside the home can be a bit uncomfortable to implement especially when you have guests to consider and you have to ask them to take their shoes off. But there is a very valid reason why this is strictly practiced in the aforementioned countries and cultures along with India, China, Thailand, and many others. It is not even just a simple home policy because it has been part of their tradition. One of the most apparent reasons is that while there are some bacteria that can be good for you, others can pose a threat to you and your family’s well being.

As such, while it can be awkward having to ask family members and guests older than five to take off their shoes by the front door, it might be high time for you to think this through carefully.

Evidence-based research

University of Arizona professor and American microbiologist, Dr. Charles Gerba wore a new pair of shoes for 14 days and guess how many units of bacteria he found? An astonishing 440,000 units on the soles of his shoes! And it wasn’t even just a simple case of extremely dirty pavement or bad luck. Dr. Gerba’s team carried out a similar bacteria test, this time on people that were randomly selected. But still, the same results came out. The germs that they found were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia that are typically linked to meningitis, infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia.

Dr. Gerba further explained to the Cleaning Industry Research Institute or CIRI how the common occurrence of E. coli and coliform bacteria were at 96% outside of the participants’ shoes. Such an occurrence is indicative of the frequency of contact with fecal material that is mostly found in the floors of public restrooms or with animal fecal material that is found outdoors. Significantly, it was also discovered in the study that the bacteria on the shoes can be tracked over a long distance from anywhere you have been outside into your personal space or your own home after it was contaminated. It further implies how unexpectedly, our shoes can be far better at carrying viruses than the toilets.

Another University of Arizona professor and microbiologist by the name of Dr. Kelly Reynolds expounded that we often walk through a lot of things on the ground like dog waste, bird droppings, and the germs on restroom floors. All of these are sources of E. coli. In particular, restroom floors in public places were found to have about 2 million units of bacteria per square inch while the average toilet seat can contain around 50 per square inch.

In a study conducted by the University of Houston, it was established that a significant 39% of the shoes contained the bacteria called C. diff or Clostridium difficile. Apparently, C. diff is well-known as a threat to public health because it is resistant to a good number of antibiotics. It can likewise cause diarrhea and a host of other nasty health problems.

In addition, a Battelle Memorial Institute study found that the toxins used in treating lawns can be tracked easily into the house. In the same manner, a study made by Baylor University revealed how those who have homes near asphalt roads that have been sealed with coal tar actually suffer from an increased risk of developing cancer. This is due to the toxins from the road which can be tracked in using the shoes. Dr. Reynolds pointed out that rain water on the streets can be full of toxins as well. Think gasoline and other chemicals that can get on the shoes, brought home, and then spread all over the floor if you wear the same shoes around the house. You may need to be exposed to such toxins many times before your health gets threatened, but they are still a very significant threat in the end.

The advantages to a no-shoes policy at home

Having to require the people in your household as well as guests who come over to take their shoes off by the door, is more than worth it if it is for the safety of everyone in your home. Aside from this, there are other advantages to consider for the no-shoes policy:

• You can save on time having to constantly clean

Because you do not bring dirt from the outside, you will notice how you will have less need for cleaning both for dirt that you can see and germs that you can’t see. Cleaning can really take up your time as you need to vacuum, mop, or use the broom. You can really save up on time and effort especially when you’re a mom with little kids to attend to at home. You want to make sure the floors are clean every time they play or when they snack and pick up morsels on the floor.

• You can protect your floors from getting wrecked

You may not realize it but some types of shoes can actually wreck your floor. Think stilettos on hardwood and all those nasty marks on the floor. The nails that protrude from your heels can leave imprints with every step that you make. In the same way, your rugs can get wrecked, snagged, or stained with nail heads or anything that may have gotten stuck on the soles of your shoes. Oh and don’t forget the gum on your shoes that can stick on anywhere.

• You will have one thing less to lose

When you or your family members use your shoes inside the house, it can sometimes get lost and trying to find them when you are in a hurry can be a hassle. You probably have experienced a missing rain boot or your kid’s sandal just when you are about to go out of the house. Well, with a no-shoes in the house policy, you can have a designated area to leave your shoes and easily find them as you go out.

Tips to a no-shoe, germ-free home

• Whenever possible, experts suggest that you leave your shoes by the door. But in case you can’t, make sure that you wash your shoes with detergent using the washing machine in order to reduce the presence of bacteria. Researchers from the University of Arizona found that 90% of bacteria can be reduced in this manner. For your carpets and floors, use a disinfecting carpet cleaner or steam cleaner. Again, if you don’t want any of these hassles, simply leave them by the door.

• Just because, you have a no-shoes policy does not mean you have to go barefoot around the house. You can always have an indoors-only footwear so you don’t invite E. coli into the house. By the door, you can set up an area where family members and guests can leave their shoes. Beside it, you can put cubby holes for your indoor footwear that they can easily access.

• For first-time guests to your home, it can be confusing and a bit awkward to have them follow your shoe-free policy immediately. In this case, you might consider doing so the next time after they have seen how squeaky clean your home is or when they themselves see the advantage of not wearing shoes inside the house. But if they do respect your home policy even if it’s the first time, then prepare a good pair of indoor footwear for them to show your gratitude and at the same time, make them feel special.

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