5 Reasons Shoes Don't Belong in the House
5 reasons you should enforce a "no shoes allowed" rule in your house:
1. Shoes could ruin your floors.
Shoes or heels are more abrasive than socks or slippers," says Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Ultimately, they will scratch and ruin your floors over time. My husband and I paid a lot of money for our new hardwood floors and we want them to last. Shoes pick up dirt and grit that cause wear and tear on hardwood and carpet floors, which means the sooner you’ll need to replace it.
2. Shoes carry toxins and allergens.
Research has shown that things like the chemicals you use to treat your lawn or the coal tar that is used on asphalt roads can easily get tracked into your house from your shoes. They have found that the toxins settle inside homes as dust particles. Allergens, such as pollens and pet dander, can also be brought into your home. Slipping your shoes off is an easy way to protect your health.
3. Shoes bring in dirt.
Even though dirt isn’t necessarily harmful on its own, it’s cumbersome. Being someone that cleans my own house, the last thing I want is for people to track in dirt right after I spent an hour cleaning the floors. Leaving shoes at the door can cut down on how often you need to clean.
4. Shoes have bacteria and viruses.
Yes, some bacteria may be good for us, but some is also harmful. In a study by a shoe company at the University of Arizona, they found that shoes come in frequent contact with fecal material. This means shoes harbor a host of nasty bacteria, including E. coli. The study conducted examined the germs on shoes and found an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outside of shoes, with nine different strains of bacteria. Walking through things like dog waste and public restroom floors, then walking into your home with those same shoes, brings in the bacteria onto your floors, carpets, and furniture.
5. Removing Shoes Is Healthy and Comfortable.
When you remove your shoes, you're subconsciously telling your brain that you're done for the day and it's relaxation time. Studies have shown that children who habitually go without shoes have fewer cases of flat feet, as well as have stronger feet with better flexibility and fewer podiatric deformities. Allowing your foot muscles to be free allows them to stay strong and flexible, and ultimately feel more comfortable.
