Removing shoes before entering your home?

[DisLaw]

Just to add to the "gross slipper" issue, the slippers I leave for people are the kind you wash (like Dearfoam ones, the ballet slipper type) so the ones I leave out for use are CLEAN, not ones I wear around every day! I can see someone having an issue with that.

I don't have any slippers for men though! My Dad has an extra pair he leaves here otherwise most guys just take off shoes and wear socks.

Add me to the list that most service people have asked me if they should take off their boots/shoes when they see my floors. I usually just lay down blankets or old towels in the area that they are walking/working in so it is not an issue.

 

[Va-bear]

Everyone must remove shoes in my apartment because of the germ/chemicals-factor. I work in EOH, and know what is out there - stuff I don't want in my apartment. I also have an indoor cat, so I don't want her walking around in outside germs/chemicals.

I live in South Florida, so it's not a northerner-thing. It's a public health thing. Most of my friends are in public health, so no one thinks twice about it because they do it too.

I work in OEHS also and one of my supervisors said he had this rule in his house ... most of my coworkers said "well, dont invite us over"! He got pretty offeneded. I made the point that what 'grows' on a sweaty foot (e. coli and tons of other bactia, etc.) may actually be worse than what a shoe picks up via dust and other environmental exposure. And 'wet' bacteria sticks better to flooring/carpeting than does dry dust, etc. Also, there is a fair amount of research to show that one factor in the increase of asthmatic/allergic children is our 'hyper' clean environments ie. some dirt is good for you. Just some thoughts on why taking off shoes may not be such a great thing.

 

[C.Ann]

1. My yard is not muddy and the dogs are confined to the yard. They do not get their feet wiped unless it has been very rainy..

---------------------------

Do your dogs urinate in the grass? If so, I would assume they are still tracking in that bacteria on their feet..

I have two mats here.. The one outside has a high, rigid pattern to it that will take off even the most ground in dirt and mud.. After wiping ones feet there, I have a second rug (washable) right inside the door for a second wiping - just in case..

I've never had a problem with "visible" dirt going any further than that - and even if it did, I still wouldn't ask my guests to remove their shoes.. If push came to shove and dirt became a problem, I would much rather deal with the dirt (even scratches on a hardwood floor) than to make my guests feel uncomfortable and/or "smell" sweaty foot odor while trying to visit.. LOL

It seems that the "ick" factor in this situation can go in many, many different directions..

 

[EpcotSweetHrts0512]

I didn't even know people really did that! I never take my shoes off when I go to other people's houses! It sounds odd, actually. I'm not sure how I'd feel about strangers walking around barefoot in my home, or me walking around barefoot in stranger's homes.

Then again, I live in the south.

Same here... I have never been asked to take my shoes off. This is the first time ever hearing about it actually! It's crazy how different regions are!

 

[djm99]

Ok, I have a cute little framed signed in my home that says.....

Please remove your shoes before entering...... Thank you!

If my camera wasn't broken I'd take a picture of it. Anyway, every once in a while, an not so guest of mine (usually I invite a friend or family member that brings someone) and they challege me on this subject. Long story short, I always remove my shoes in others home (unless I'm specifically asked not to). I have a small bench by my door that I keep socks in (if needed). I'm always buying socks - of course. Anyway, here is some reasons why I'm so adament about the removal of shoes....

The Inside Track on Clean -- Shoes or No Shoes in the House?
Guest Author - Kathryn Weber


In countries all over the world, it is a sign of respect for the household for guests and visitors to remove their shoes before entering a home. Most widely accepted as a cultural norm of Asia, it is also a courtesy to remove shoes in unexpected areas as well.

For instance, it is considerate to remove shoes before entering a Russian or Scandinavian home. There, guests are given shoes to wear while in the household. In an effort to keep sand from the beach out of homes, Hawaiians also practice the ritual of removing shoes before entering a home. Even in America, more and more people are opting to remove shoes as a courtesy and for basic cleanliness.

More than just a nicety or a national custom, the habit of removing shoes before entering is just good sense. After walking into public restrooms, city streets, yards where there are animals, etc., the amount of bacteria and filth in the home is not only carried into the home on the soles of shoes of well-meaning visitors, but that same dirt and grime is also trapped in your home. That’s because the dirt, bacteria, and filth gets stuck in the fibers of carpeting if you have throw rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting.

The US Government gets involved with dirty floors

Interestingly, in 1991 the EPA conducted a study called the “Door Mat Study” that measured the amount of lead dust that was in homes. The study found that in homes where there was a doormat at the entrance and where shoes were NOT worn, there was a marked reduction (about 60%) of lead dust and other chemicals in the home. Not only that, but in homes where shoes are removed, there is a reduction in allergens and bacteria being tracked into the house.

Removing shoes has been scientifically proven to reduce contaminants in the home. If that still doesn’t convince you to have your family remove their shoes before entering the house, then think about how much longer and nicer your carpets and floors will stay and how much easier it will be to clean if shoes aren’t permitted in the house. When you look at it like this, it won’t be so hard to ask family and friends to remove their shoes before coming into the house.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29826.asp

 

[C.Ann]

Ok, I have a cute little framed signed in my home that says.....

Please remove your shoes before entering...... Thank you!

If my camera wasn't broken I'd take a picture of it. Anyway, every once in a while, an not so guest of mine (usually I invite a friend or family member that brings someone) and they challege me on this subject. Long story short, I always remove my shoes in others home (unless I'm specifically asked not to). I have a small bench by my door that I keep socks in (if needed). I'm always buying socks - of course. Anyway, here is some reasons why I'm so adament about the removal of shoes....

The Inside Track on Clean -- Shoes or No Shoes in the House?
Guest Author - Kathryn Weber


In countries all over the world, it is a sign of respect for the household for guests and visitors to remove their shoes before entering a home. Most widely accepted as a cultural norm of Asia, it is also a courtesy to remove shoes in unexpected areas as well.

For instance, it is considerate to remove shoes before entering a Russian or Scandinavian home. There, guests are given shoes to wear while in the household. In an effort to keep sand from the beach out of homes, Hawaiians also practice the ritual of removing shoes before entering a home. Even in America, more and more people are opting to remove shoes as a courtesy and for basic cleanliness.

More than just a nicety or a national custom, the habit of removing shoes before entering is just good sense. After walking into public restrooms, city streets, yards where there are animals, etc., the amount of bacteria and filth in the home is not only carried into the home on the soles of shoes of well-meaning visitors, but that same dirt and grime is also trapped in your home. That’s because the dirt, bacteria, and filth gets stuck in the fibers of carpeting if you have throw rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting.

The US Government gets involved with dirty floors

Interestingly, in 1991 the EPA conducted a study called the “Door Mat Study” that measured the amount of lead dust that was in homes. The study found that in homes where there was a doormat at the entrance and where shoes were NOT worn, there was a marked reduction (about 60%) of lead dust and other chemicals in the home. Not only that, but in homes where shoes are removed, there is a reduction in allergens and bacteria being tracked into the house.

Removing shoes has been scientifically proven to reduce contaminants in the home. If that still doesn’t convince you to have your family remove their shoes before entering the house, then think about how much longer and nicer your carpets and floors will stay and how much easier it will be to clean if shoes aren’t permitted in the house. When you look at it like this, it won’t be so hard to ask family and friends to remove their shoes before coming into the house.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29826.asp

-----------------

Interesting article, but I do have to ask - how have people survived (in my case, almost 60 years) without contracting any deadly bacteria where it's "not" customary to remove ones shoes?

Your article could be easily be challenged by the numerous articles that state the reasons we have more illnesses and more severe allergies are largely due to keeping our homes too clean..

Just offering the "other" side of the situation..

 

[rparmfamily]

LOL..seriously...service people remove their own shoes and walk sock foot on my house! Must be a Hawaii thing.

 

[monkey68]

djm, that was an interesting article. My family is Russian, and so are most of our guests, so maybe that's why most people take off shoes?

 

[pilotwife_02]

Yes, most people who come over to our house take their shoes off, without me even asking. Perhaps it's the pile of shoes by the door that tips them off

When my boys were younger I asked people to take them off because they were crawling around and I didn't want them crawling on their hands and knees on the dirt and germs and junk that came in on shoes and people understood and I just like not having that stuff on my floor. If I have a large gathering at my house I don't usually ask people unless it's really nasty outside and all those shoes would track in mud or water. Most of the downstairs of my house is hardwood floors so it's not that big of a deal if they wore shoes, but I have asked people not to walk on my light beige carper in their shoes if they have mud on them. Like I said before, most of my friends understand and if they get offended by that then I guess they aren't that good of friends to to begin with, I mean if I can't be honest with them, who can I be honest with, you know?

 

[bicker]

Interesting article, but I do have to ask - how have people survived (in my case, almost 60 years) without contracting any deadly bacteria where it's "not" customary to remove ones shoes?

What makes you think they have? The article didn't say that every home where people leave their shoes on dies a horrible death. This is a matter of tendencies, not absolutes. If you're willing to take the additional risk, that's your prerogative, but I thing the main point that is getting lost, here, is that people who make the opposite choice from you have really good reasons for doing so, over-and-above it just being their right to make their own choice for their own home like you're doing.

 

[djm99]

-----------------

Interesting article, but I do have to ask - how have people survived (in my case, almost 60 years) without contracting any deadly bacteria where it's "not" customary to remove ones shoes?

Your article could be easily be challenged by the numerous articles that state the reasons we have more illnesses and more severe allergies are largely due to keeping our homes too clean..

Just offering the "other" side of the situation..

Yes, I've heard that argument - about the too clean issue. It could be very well true, but in MY house I have MY rules - no shoes. Be it for a valid reason or some sort of silly superstition - regardless of the why - that rule should be respected.

 

[C.Ann]

If you're willing to take the additional risk, that's your prerogative, but I thing the main point that is getting lost, here, is that people who make the opposite choice from you have really good reasons for doing so, over-and-above it just being their right to make their own choice for their own home like you're doing.

Agreed..

Yes, I've heard that argument - about the too clean issue. It could be very well true, but in MY house I have MY rules - no shoes. Be it for a valid reason or some sort of silly superstition - regardless of the why - that rule should be respected.

And agreed..

Really no need to get all technical about it, but when one chooses to do so, there's usually a conflicting technical side to it as well..

Just pointing out that there are "two" sides to every story - just like there are "two" sides to what people choose for their own homes..

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Yes, I've heard that argument - about the too clean issue. It could be very well true, but in MY house I have MY rules - no shoes. Be it for a valid reason or some sort of silly superstition - regardless of the why - that rule should be respected.

I'm curious if you make people with health conditions follow that rule? For instance, many people with diabetes suffer from a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This is the condition that leads to many amputations and everyone I know who has peripheral neuropathy is told to wear shoes at all times. Also, because of the pain associated with this condition many people with peripheral neuropathy have special shoes or inserts. In this kind of situation would your allow those people to weawr their shoes?

 

[emma'smom]

We have this discussion with my father all of the time. My generation (30 somethings) always remove shoes when entering someone else's home. It's just polite not to track dirt around their house (and most folks have some sort of neutral carpeting that would show dirt). I remove my shoes (as does dh and the kids) at their house. They always comment on the pile of shoes.

We keep all of our shoes in the garage so that we actually put them on when we leave the house and take them off before coming inside.

That being said, I don't ask my parents to remove their shoes in my house. I know my dad doesn't want to and my mom simply can't (diabetes and other issues). I don't make a big deal about it.

Also, I've been suffering from plantar fascitis and now wear a pair of shoes in the house. I have a clean pair that I put on when I come inside. Also, I do still kick them off when walking on the carpet--but leave them on when on the tile and hardwood.

At other people's homes, I sometimes take a pair of clean shoes if my feet are acting up and just say "I have a foot issue and need to wear shoes, so I brought these clean ones along." Only once has it been an issue and I just was going into my neighbor's house for a minute and I just endured it.

 

[Metro West]

I have ceramic tile flooring in my house and the tile is very easy to clean. Shoes are fine with me.

 

[Carys]

In New Zealand, if there are shoes by the door then we'll automatically start taking ours off too, to which the host will either say nothing (in which case they prefer guests to be shoeless) or will say something along the lines of oh please feel free to leave your shoes on. If no shoes, it's normal to ask the host whether you should remove your shoes.

Here in this part of Asia, it's automatically shoes off and if you're in an apartment building, shoes will often come off outside the actual apartment door (in the foyer area on your floor) and never make it into the apartment itself, especially if there are a number of guests or if there are visiting workmen or apartment staff. I generally make sure to wear socks if I know I'm visiting someone's place! Never yet saw a dirty floor in a home here though.

I'm sure if someone had a medical issue for keeping shoes on, it wouldn't be an issue in either country - common sense in the end reigns (or should). I don't have a particular view on whether shoes on or off is better, never yet had a stain I couldn't get out of a carpet and I always tell guests to just make themselves comfortable. I don't have kids though, and can see why having floor-bound littlies around would make one more cautious