I’ll be honest; I started to ask people to take their shoes off when entering my home because less dirt was tracked in, which meant less cleaning.  According to University of Arizona professor, Charles P. Gerba, what we can see isn’t the problem.  The soles of shoes don’t just carry germs – they are prime breeding grounds!

Think of what you walk through in a day, spilled food on the floor in the grocery store, movie theater, or restaurant, residue from dog waste left in grass after the owner cleans up, puddles of standing water with animal waste mixed in, a bit of mud and of course whatever is on the floor in the public bathroom.  All of which lives in harmony on the bottom of your shoe.  Studies found E. Coli and coliform are commonly found on our shoes, as well as the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia and intestinal and bloodstream infections.

Over 90% of the bacteria are transferred to your floors, a higher percentage to carpets and upholstered furniture.  Floors have been found to have more germs than toilet seats!  Leaving your shoes at the door, or in a designated spot, then washing your hands is one way to lower the spread of bacteria in your home.

An etiquette expert said that a Southern lady would never ask her guests to take their shoes off when entering her house.  I guess we are a little more practical in Boston; I know many people who live in “shoe-less” homes and aren’t afraid to politely ask you remove your shoes before entering.

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