It's pretty common for people to leave their shoes on when they get home. And, for the most part, that's because it seems like no big deal to wear shoes inside.
As long as they aren't dripping with water or caked in mud, why worry about taking them off?
Well, according to a study done by a University of Arizona professor, leaving your shoes on inside could end up leading to some seriously revolting consequences.
The study from 2008 found that 96 percent of shoes commonly come in contact with fecal matter. That's right, poop! And the bacteria from the bottom of your shoes doesn't stay on your shoes, it ends up getting tracked all around your house.
Continue reading below to learn more about the alarming reasons you shouldn't wear shoes in your home!
Photos: Laura Caseley for LittleThings; Max Pixel
Why You Shouldn't Wear Shoes Inside
When considering whether or not to wear shoes inside, most people just care if there is visible dirt on their shoes.
Unfortunately, there are a number of invisible reasons you should leave your shoes at the front door as well.
#1: Bacteria
Bacteria loves shoes. As we do things throughout the day, various harmful bacteria find their way onto your shoes.
Think about all the things you step on: bird poop, toilet water in public bathrooms, dog poop. These are all sources of nasty bacteria, including E. coli.
If you wear your shoes into your house, all that bacteria goes with it. According to a study done at the University of Arizona, most people have around 421,000 units of bacteria on their shoes at all times.
#2: Chemicals And Toxins
When you walk outside, you're also stepping on things like lawn chemicals, bug repellants, rodent toxins, weed killers, gasoline, antifreeze, and other chemicals.
All these toxins can stay on your shoes when you go inside, and you can end up spreading them throughout your house.
According to a study done at the Battelle Memorial Institute, residue from outside is transported throughout the house, spreading from the entryway.
In other words, these chemicals will end up everywhere if you wear your shoes inside.
#3: Microscopic Critters
When soil and plant matter comes into contact with your shoes, they might bring teeny tiny bugs and mites with them.
For years, doctors have reminded people to wear shoes while outside (especially if you're going somewhere heavily surrounded by plants and trees). The point of this is to protect the skin from insects.
Unfortunately, if any bugs hang out on your shoes while you're outside, you may bring them in with you when you get home.
Not good, not good at all.
#4: Dirt And Mud
Of course, in addition to bacteria, toxins, and bugs, another reason not to wear shoes at home is more obvious: Shoes bring dirt and mud inside with them.
If you leave your shoes outside, it will cut down on the dirt you bring in with you, making your house easier to clean.
Although it may be easy to wash mud and dirt off hard surfaces, it's much more challenging to get the stuff out of carpets.
#5: Water
Like mud, water can also be dragged into the house on your shoes.
In addition to making your house dirty, water can also wreak havoc on hardwood floors by staining and warping them.
If you do get water on hardwood floors, the Spruce recommends cleaning it up as fast as possible to avoid serious damage.
#6: Going Barefoot Is Good For You
OK, enough of the negatives — there are a bunch of positive reasons to stop wearing shoes at home as well!
Going barefoot once in a while can help keep your feet strong and healthy.
Wearing shoes during the day can help support your feet, but taking off your shoes from time to time can help keep your arches (and the rest of your feet!) strong.
Check out some of the benefits of going barefoot in this LittleThings article!
#7: Taking Off Your Shoes Helps You Relax
Having a routine when you get home can help your body go from work mode to relaxation mode.
If you take off your shoes every time you get to your front door, your body will start to recognize this ritual as a turning point in your day.
How To Have A Shoe-Free Home
Having a shoe-free home isn't as easy as just taking off your shoes when you get back to your house. You also want to encourage visitors to take off their shoes when they're in your home.
To make it obvious that everyone should leave their shoes at the door, get a nice shoe mat and install a bench or shoe racks.
Clean Your Shoes
If you know you're still going to wear your shoes inside from time to time, make sure you keep them clean!
All shoes need to be cleaned and sanitized differently, but you can usually remove visible dirt with a toothbrush!
Do you wear shoes inside your house? SHARE this article with your friends to find out whether or not they wear shoes at home!
