Here in America, it's pretty common to keep our shoes on when we get home. Most of us don't even think twice about it. Whether I'm getting some chores done around the apartment or simply lounging on the couch, I can often be found sporting a pair of sneakers.
Little did I know how filthy my shoes could actually be!
Think of everything that we tread through on a daily basis, even just during the walk to and from the car. Shoes can carry bird or dog poop, along with all sorts of bacteria and germs. There are also potential toxins over lawns, streets, and sidewalks that might seem otherwise clean.
So what's the best way to keep this grossness out of our homes?
We should take our shoes off before we even enter, of course! It's as simple as that: Stop wearing shoes in the house. If these following nine reasons don't convince you to stop wearing shoes in the house, I don't know what will!
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1. All Sorts Of Bacteria Live On Your Shoes
All kinds of dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, could enter your home through your shoes.
A University of Arizona study showed nine forms of bacteria on shoes. After just two weeks of wearing a new pair, around 440,000 units of bacteria were crawling on them already. Eek!
2. Your Feet Need To Breathe
Your feet should be able to roam free while at home, sans the shackles of shoes. Even the most comfortable, supportive shoes shouldn't be worn all the time.
Studies have shown that the feet of people from cultures that go barefoot are much healthier than countries that wear shoes pretty much all the time. The least you could do is to go barefoot around the house.
3. You're Tracking Fecal Matter Into Your Home
Think of how often you must step on bird and dog poop, and how many germs there are on public restroom floors. There could even be fecal matter mixed in mud.
All of that is lurking on the soles of your shoes, and unless you slip them off before you walk throughout your house, it can make its way into your home, according to the Huffington Post.
4. Cancer-Causing Toxins Can Get On Your Shoes
In a study done by the Battelle Memorial Institute in Ohio, researchers found that toxins from certain lawns can get on shoes and be tracked into the home. These toxins have the potential to eventually cause cancer.
Chemicals from asphalt are also harmful, and these can be found on the soles of your shoes.
5. You're Making A Racket
If you happen to live in an apartment, you're probably driving your downstairs neighbors absolutely crazy. The same goes if you're living at home with family!
Remember, you might be waking other people up if you're putting on your shoes well before leaving, then stepping all over the place.
6. Dirt Gets In All The Nooks And Crannies
Aside from the bacteria and toxins that end up in your home, you've also got the issue of dirt. While a bit of dirt is most likely not going to harm anyone, you might want to be a little extra careful if you've got kids or grandkids playing on the floor.
Kids tend to put their hands into their mouths pretty often, and if you want to stop them (or even your pets) from eating dirt, take your shoes off.
7. You Could Hurt Yourself Tripping Over Them
I have vivid memories of my poor mother losing it because my brother's shoes (OK, fine, mine too sometimes) were constantly tossed about willy-nilly all over the house.
We always tossed them to the side when it was time to take a seat on the couch, causing my mom to trip over them.
If you make it a rule to take them off at the door, no one will be tripping over them, potentially saving a family member's sanity and ankles.
8. They May Make It Harder To Relax
When you take your shoes off at the end of the day, it signals to your brain that you're not in work mode anymore and that it's time to relax. That's why it's important to leave your shoes at the door and start the unwinding process.
9. Your Floors Are Taking A Beating, As Is Your Wallet
Walking around the house in heels or even just dirty, wet sneakers is doing a lot of damage to your floors, and it will cost you in the long run. You'll have to re-finish and repair your floors much more often, spend extra time cleaning them, and more money on supplies.
What do you think, will you wear your shoes in the house anymore after reading this? Please SHARE with family and friends on Facebook!
