There’s been a long debate about whether you need to take off your shoes before going into your own or someone else’s home. Some people feel that you should take off your shoes no matter what for cleanliness reasons. Others prefer to wear their shoes for stability and personal comfort. But how exactly should you proceed? Is there a right or wrong way to go?
Should you wear shoes when you visit other people’s homes?
When it comes to wearing shoes in someone else’s home, it’s really up to the house rules. When you go to someone else’s home, you pretty much have three options. Your first option is to look for cues like if there are already shoes lined up at the door and whether the hosts are wearing shoes or not. Your second option is to just take your shoes off just in case, as a sign of respect for the host. And your third option is to ask the host if they’d like you to remove your shoes before entering. Any of these options will help you honor your host’s wishes.
Should you wear shoes in your own home?
Let’s now discuss whether you’d like shoes worn in your home. That way you’ll know how to proceed on a daily basis and how to instruct your guests in the future.
It’s true that you can bring bacteria, pollen and chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) into your home on the soles of your feet. The bacteria can include E.coli, C.diff and staph. But does that mean you should be afraid to wear shoes inside? Not necessarily. There are many other ways that your home can end up with germs. If you have pets, they might bring them in from the yard or litter box. But some exposure to germs is thought to help build the immune system. Of course, that doesn’t mean you want to increase your exposure. If you wear shoes in the home, you may just want to avoid touching your shoes and then your face before washing your hands. You might also want to think twice about laying down on the floor.
Keep in mind, there are people who are more susceptible to germs. If you have a baby in the crawling stage or there’s someone in your home that has a weakened immune system, then leaving shoes at the door is probably the best idea. If you or someone else in the home suffers from asthma or allergies, it may be best as well, to help avoid pollen from settling into the carpets.
Another reason to consider not wearing shoes in the home is your flooring. Your flooring is more likely to get dinged, scuffed and filthy from shoes. If you are going to allow shoes to be worn inside, make sure there’s a welcome mat for people to wipe their shoes on before entering. And, make sure that you’re taking added steps to keep your floor properly maintained.
If you’re going to require that people take their shoes off at the door, then you may want to put a friendly sign up at the entranceway. If people don’t see the sign, you can kindly ask those entering to please remove their shoes. To help you and those in your household adjust, you can place slippers at the door for indoor use. Leaving your shoes by the door also serves as a sign to guests to remove their shoes before entering.
Are there downsides to removing your shoes before entering the home? Actually, yes, there can be. Unfortunately, it could increase the risk of falling. Good shoes provide stability and traction. However, a pair of socks (without grippers) could make things more slippery. If you walk around barefoot you could be exposed to other germs in the house as well. But again, if you’re not touching your feet and then touching your face, you’ll probably be OK. The biggest concern here would be for those who are more prone to falling. If you’re over the age of 65, you might want to wear sneakers in the house to reduce the risk of a slip and fall.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when it comes to allowing shoes in your home. But really it comes down to your personal preference. It’s your house so you get to decide what the house rules will be. We hope that exploring this topic in-depth helps you make an informed decision.