Please Remove Shoes Before Entering?

Do you remove your shoes before entering your home? Some people forbid shoes in their homes, while others consider being asked to remove their shoes nothing short of offensive. I have friends with Please Remove Shoes Before Entering signs brazenly taped to their doors, while I have other friends who’d prefer to stay out of someone’s no-shoes-allowed home rather than be required to expose their socks.

Much of it has to do with cultural tradition. In many places across the globe removing shoes before entering is a deeply ingrained practice. As a kid growing up in southern California, I always entered the house in socks. Although not because we had a rule about shoes, rather, my preferred style of footwear had wheels attached and roller skates were tricky on the carpet. But somehow I evolved, over time, into an adult who doesn’t wear shoes inside. For me it started off as a matter of comfort, but upon further reflection it has become reinforced by a number of other factors. Here are five reasons for removing shoes before entering:

1. Comfort. I wear sensible shoes (mostly? sometimes?) but no matter how comfortable my shoes are, my feet are always happier outside of them. I want to be comfortable at home. I want to take off my shoes as soon as I walk in, the same way I might want to take off a pair of tight jeans. My home is my haven, it’s hard to relax in your sanctuary wearing knee-high boots.

2. Toxins. An EPA study, reported in Environmental Science & Technology provided the first proof that pesticides can be tracked into residences on shoes. People and pets who walk on pesticide-treated lawns can pick up pesticides like the herbicide 2,4-D, for up to a week after application, the study showed. The study found that “track-in” exposures of pesticides may exceed those from the best-known source–pesticide residues on non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables. Another study showed that 98 percent of lead dust found in homes is tracked in from outside as well.

3. Happy Neighbors. If you live in an apartment building, no shoes makes much happier downstairs neighbors. Especially downstairs neighbors with a really cute little girl who is a light sleeper. (Hi Olivia!)

4. Germs. This one may have more to do with neurosis than actual facts–but living in an urban environment and seeing all the disgusting things that end up on the sidewalk? Yuck. I definitely don’t want to track pesticides and lead paint in, but neither am I interested in tracking in dog waste and other bodily fluids thank you very much.

5. Dirt. I live in a converted 19th century convent that still has boot scrapers by both entrances. (Did 19th-century nuns wear boots?) We have paved roads now so dirt and mud may be less of an issue, but toxins and germs aside, shoes still manage to track in plenty of plain old grime. Why would I want to perform extra cleaning when simply leaving shoes at the door makes such a difference in the cleanliness of my floor?

So that’s my take on removing shoes. I have a bookshelf right inside my door where my kids and I kick off our shoes first thing. I never insist on guests removing their shoes, but I would say that nine out of ten do so automatically when they see our bare feet and the shoe shelf.

Here’s my question for you: Do you remove your shoes inside, or do you prefer shoes on indoors? I want to hear from both sides of the fence, and why. Bare your soles (I’m sorry) in the comment field.

Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lina P.

12:58PM PDT on Oct 29, 2011

Yes, always. I was raised to always take my shoes off. Thanks Mama! We either went barefoot in the summer or wore house shoes in the winter. I like the feeling of a clean surface under my feet and I like to know that I am at least trying to keep down germs in my home. I think it is very important, especially if you have small children or invalids in the home. It is is just more comfortable!

send a green star

Teresa W.

5:06AM PDT on Aug 22, 2011

Good tips, but if you live in a block of flats, you may get your shoes stolen. So, they can can be left in the hall, but not necessarily on the corridor.

Sue G.

3:38PM PDT on Jul 23, 2011

I always remove my shoes when entering my home. I have trained my husband, two daughters and two grandsons to do the same. When my daughter used to go to a popular pub in town, the floor of the toilets were always covered in wee. Also when you walk on the pavements, sometimes you see dogs's muck and sometimes you can't see it when it's been trodden in , but the germs are still there. People may think that it's being too fussy, but how many have toddlers who crawl on the carpets then put their fingers in their mouth?

Angela J.

12:31PM PDT on Jul 19, 2011

If I needed to wear shoes indoors I would have a pair specificly for use indoors. The roads and sidewalks are full of gross things.

ii q.

5:52PM PDT on Jul 15, 2011

same article?

Jeanne J.

5:35AM PDT on May 21, 2011

Thanks for info...

Alicia M.

11:57PM PDT on May 16, 2011

My husband and I always remove our shoes at home, and any guests or visitors do to - or else!!!
We live in the city and the disgusting state of the sidewalks - they're foul, vile, filthy....you name the substance, it's there under your feet - makes me wonder how ANYONE here can dare to wear their shoes at home.

Adelaide L.

12:40PM PDT on May 16, 2011

I was raised in America, and am half Swedish. I take my shoes off when I can, at home at at others homes. One thing you didn't mention, if there is carpeting in the home, the dirt et al will cause the carpet to break down faster.

Tish L.

8:47AM PDT on May 16, 2011

Thanks.

Rebecca S.

9:24PM PDT on Apr 23, 2011

I usually would remove my shoes both for the comfort reason (I don't even like wearing socks inside!) and just so I don't track dirt around.