If you have visited other countries where it a custom to remove your shoes before entering a home, it may not only be just out of respect, there may be some scientific evidence to back it up as a health practice. ????
We all know what can be tracked in our homes from our shoes, including dust, bird droppings, dog feces, and other unwanted matter. It’s actually the leafy debris that is a breeding ground for bacteria. ?
The University of Arizona assessed the number of bacteria from shoes and found 421,000 different units, which can be categorized into 9 different strains. Everything from E.coli and C.diff, which is resistant to antibiotics and was found on about 40% of the soles that were tested. Just remember every public restroom you visit gets tracked back into your home.
A tip to make removing your shoes is to keep a shoe rack or basket near your door so everyone does it automatically. You will have to clean your floors less and your home will be healthier and cleaner.
