In many countries and cultures, it's not acceptable to walk
about the house in your dirty sneakers, but in the USA, it's a lot more common
than you'd think. However, there are a number of reasons why you should take
your shoes off at the front door. If you don't have a no-shoes policy in your
house, the following 7 reasons as to why you should, might just change your
mind.
Shoes - Leave - Door
1. Bacteria
Harmful bacteria can survive on your shoes for many weeks at
a time. A study conducted by The University of Arizona found nine different
strains of bacteria on the shoes that they tested, and an average of 421,000
bacteria on each shoe. Do you really want to be walking all those germs through
your lovely house?
2. Dirt
Shoes spend most of the day on our feet, walking through
dirty environments. Your children drag in mud from the park. You track in soil
from the garden or from mowing the lawn. Who wants all that bacteria-rich dirt
inside the house? Furthermore, do you really want to spend your free time
having to keep cleaning the floors? Therefore, apart from having a no-shoes
policy, consider buying some floor mats to help remove some of that dirt off
your shoes before entering your home.
3. Toxins
Shoes - Leave - Door
Shoes carry toxins that can pollute the air in your home.
Shoes pick up whatever you step in, and there is the potential of stepping in a
lot of pretty disgusting stuff. Rainwater contains oil and gasoline that can be
absorbed into your shoes, asphalt has toxins that rub off on your sneakers, and
grass that is treated with chemicals can have you dragging more than you
bargained for into your home.
4. E. Coli
Of all the bacteria that can be found on your shoes, the
grossest one is E. coli, which is found in fecal matter. As you wander around,
doing day-to-day activities, you're going to step in some poop from time to
time. You may not even realize when you do as bird and animal droppings are all
over the soil outside. An E. coli
infection is not a pleasant experience, so lower the risk of you or your
children contracting it by taking your shoes off at the door.
5. Save Your Floors
Shoes are a lot harder on your floors than slippers, socks,
or bare feet. Whether you have tiles, carpets, or hardwood floors, you can
ensure your floors last longer by simply leaving your shoes at the door
6. Relaxation
Shoes - Leave - Door
When you kick off your shoes after a long hard day, you're
letting your brain know that it's relaxation time. So take off your shoes and
put your feet up - you've earned it.
7. Foot Health
Wearing shoes all the time can lead to severe foot pain,
while going barefoot, especially at home, can exercise dormant muscles in the
feet and legs and help to improve blood flow. Therefore, free your feet when at
home for fewer aches and pains.
As you have seen, there are plenty of reasons why many
cultures have adopted the policy of leaving shoes at the front door. It may be
a bit awkward asking your guests to take off their shoes before entering your
home, but with these 7 reasons at hand, they should at least understand why
you're so insistent.
