5 Reasons to Leave Your Shoes at the Door

Let’s talk for a moment about 5 reasons you should leave your shoes at the door.

1. Bacteria and germs. Think about how many things you step in as you walk around public areas. When you wear your shoes in the house, you’re literally bringing every speck of dirt, grime, and germs in to your home. Everything on the bottom of your shoes is placed directly on your carpet and flooring. Gross! There are some bacteria that are good for us, but you can bet most of what is on the bottom of your shoes is not. According to a study at the University of Arizona, there was an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outer part of shoes. The findings included Escherichia coli {E coli}, which can cause intestinal infections, diarrhea, and even meningitis. Klebsiella pneumonia, which can cause urinary tract infections, and Serratia ficaria, a bacteria responsible for respiratory infections. Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona did a test with a brand new pair of shoes and found that within merely two weeks of wearing a new shoe, 440,000 units of bacteria were found on the shoe, with 27% of the total bacteria being E Coli. New information has also emerged showing the presence of Clostridium difficile, also known as C. Diff, on 39% of shoes. This bacteria is debilitating physically, is incredibly difficult to treat, and can be fatal.

2. If you have wood flooring, you’re taking a chance of putting scratches in your floors if you have any rocks or sand on your shoes. These abrasive particles can ruin the finish on your flooring, decreasing the visual appeal. The high cost associated with refinishing floors can be avoided simply by kicking off your shoes before entering your home.

3. Your carpeting is much more likely to become stained and worn due to the friction from the soles of your shoes. By leaving your shoes at the door, you’re extending the life of your carpet, and the need for more frequent cleanings decreases. It’s always a good idea to wear socks or soft slippers that are for indoors only. Feet contain natural oils that can transfer to carpets, which can attract stains and make carpet wear out more quickly.

4. Not tracking dirt in to your home means you will have to clean your flooring less often! For all of you who lead busy lives, this is definitely a plus!

5. If you have children who like to play on the floor, you’re ensuring they can do so free from harmful germs and bacteria. Although exposure to some dirt and bacteria can actually help strengthen their immune systems, they will get enough of that from public places. Toddlers and children often put their hands in their mouth and have toys on the floor they then put in their mouths. If you’ve tracked any of the bacteria we spoke of above in to your home via your shoes, your kids run the risk of being exposed.

Find a designated area inside your garage, or at the doorway where your family can store their shoes. By doing so, you will help to keep your family healthy, while prolonging the life of your carpet and flooring!