Reasons to Eschew the Shoe

Have you ever considered how much easier it would be to keep your carpets clean if family, friends, and guests removed their shoes before entering your home? Once thought to be the purview of people suffering from severe germophobia, indoor shoe bans are becoming a more socially acceptable practice — and for good reason.

In addition to prolonging the life of your carpet, removing your shoes indoors can prevent exposure to many pathogens. This is particularly important if you have babies and children playing on the carpets because germs and toxins are easily transferred from their hands to their mouths. People who do yoga and pilates on their floors also have reasons to eschew the shoe. According to a scientific study at the University of Arizona, the soles of shoes may contain numerous pathogens sourced from fecal colioform bacteria (derived from human and animal feces) that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Walking barefoot on carpets is not recommended either due to the sweat glands on the soles of the feet transferring skin oils and sweat into carpet fibers. Many families choose to keep socks or slippers by the front door for this purpose, including some for guests.

Even with a no-shoe rule, regular vacuuming and spot cleaning, augmented by periodic professional deep-cleaning will be necessary to remove your dust and other contaminants that naturally occur in any living space. If your guests are uncomfortable with a no-shoe rule, you’ll just have to vacuum, spot clean, and schedule professional services more often.

This is one of a series of articles written and published  on behalf of surpHaces Partners.