Switching to natural cleaners, using an air filter, or even incorporating probiotics can help improve your home’s environment, but if you wear shoes indoors, you might be undoing your efforts. It took a while for me to be convinced, but there are plenty of reasons why having a no-shoes rule at home makes sense—and this includes asking guests to leave their shoes at the door.
Getting everyone in the household to always remove their shoes when coming inside isn’t easy, especially with kids who are constantly in and out. However, with frequent reminders, it is definitely achievable.
While overly sterilized environments and harsh antibacterial cleaners come with their own issues, shoes bring more than just harmless dirt into our homes. Here’s why we’ve adopted a no-shoes policy:
Toxins can enter our homes in several ways—through the air, in the products we use, and most importantly, on our shoes. Research from Baylor University found that a toxic chemical from coal-tar-based pavement sealants made it into homes near treated asphalt, brought in on shoes. They discovered those living near these treated pavements had a higher risk of cancer, particularly in children.
Another harmful chemical, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid, commonly found in weed killers, was detected in homes where it was used on lawns. This was primarily due to children and pets bringing it inside, as well as wearing shoes indoors. For those who use these chemicals, switching to a natural lawn care method is advisable.
It’s not just environmental pollutants; shoes can bring harmful bacteria into the house. Studies show that shoes can have an average of 421,000 units of bacteria on their exteriors. They often carry coliform and E. coli, with 96% of tested shoes harboring these. The bacteria primarily come from public restrooms or areas with animal feces and can transfer to home floors up to 99% of the time, making leaving shoes at the door a straightforward solution. While washing shoes can help, not all shoes can be cleaned easily.
Considering that many people go from public restrooms to places like restaurants or their workplaces, it’s logical to assume most places we visit are contaminated. Hospitals, for instance, were found to have C. difficile on 64% of shoes from both healthcare workers and visitors.
While I don’t mind if my kids get some (clean) dirt in their mouths when playing outside—since it can be beneficial—it’s a different story indoors. As a busy mom, I don’t have the time to constantly clean the floors. When you have little ones crawling around and eating off the floor, keeping the floors as clean as possible is essential. Not bringing in dirt and toxins through shoes is a sensible approach.
In some Asian cultures, it’s traditional to remove shoes before entering a home. They believe being barefoot is beneficial for foot health and overall well-being, reflecting practices in reflexology. Modern science agrees, showing that going barefoot can enhance foot function and improve posture. While it’s not always practical to be barefoot outside, it’s beneficial at home.
In American culture, taking off shoes at someone else’s house can be awkward without knowing the host’s preferences. Conversely, asking a guest to remove their shoes might feel uncomfortable. However, there are polite ways to communicate your preference.
Removing shoes before entering a home significantly reduces the amount of toxins and harmful substances brought inside. We often go to great lengths to choose safe cleaners and products, so this simple act—taking off shoes—can make a big difference for the health of our home and family. Do you remove your shoes at home? Why or why not?
