Shoes on vs shoes off inside: the dilemma

When you first go to someone’s house, there’s often an awkward pause as you pass the threshold: do you keep your shoes on or leave them at the door? Some households have a strict ‘no shoes inside’ policy, while others are more relaxed. After scanning the porch or hallway, you can usually decipher the household rules.

But what does science, hygiene, and practicality say about the matter? Who is in the right?

The case for shoes off indoors

For many cultures around the world, it's customary to remove shoes before entering a home. In Asia, Scandinavia, and Middle Eastern countries, for example, it’s an unspoken rule that shoes are removed at the entrance. As shoes bring in dirt from outside, it is seen as a sign of utmost disrespect to wear outdoor shoes indoors.

But does the practice have merit everywhere?

Hygiene and health worries

Back in the day, shoes were removed to prevent human and animal sewerage from being walked through the home, but even with advanced waste infrastructure systems in place, shoes still collect an astonishing amount of bacteria, dirt, waste, and toxins from the outside world.

Studies have found that harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, are carried indoors via footwear. Clearly, we wouldn’t deliberately step in excrement or vomit while outdoors but walking public pathways and parks will inevitably bring your soles into contact with the remains of these two things, whether from dogs, cats, livestock, other small animals such as hedgehogs or rodents, or a late-night human party-goer caught short.

A quick wipe across the doormat won’t dislodge all harmful bacteria from the grooves of your soles. And how often does the doormat get replaced, or given a good scrub followed by time in the sun? The poor old doormat is likely the most neglected and germ filled strip in most homes!  

Give thought, too, to the ever-present herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, contaminated water, road oils and dirt, and industrial chemicals in our environment that our shoes come into contact with. Do we want these transferring onto our floors and being walked through our homes?

If you have young children crawling or playing on the floor, or if you exercise on the floor, or if items from the floor are put onto furniture or bedding, the presence of just these contaminants pose considerable health risks. 

Air quality improvement

Over time the dirt, debris and pollutants tracked inside by shoes settle deep into the carpet fibres. Dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mould spores are commonly found in carpets. Is that really a problem? Well, every time carpets are walked on allergens and small particles become airborne and recirculated into the air. If your vacuum has blocked filters or poor suction, vacuuming can billow fine dirt and dust into the air.

Getting your carpets professionally cleaned periodically can help reduce the problem, but a shoes-off policy is a simple step to keep your home’s air feel and smell cleaner.

The impact on the carpet’s lifetime

Carpets and rugs are one of the biggest investments for a home. The more dirt, grit, and moisture that get trodden into them, the quicker they suffer from wear and tear. Usually too small to see, grit carried in by shoes grind against carpet fibres, accelerating the need for them to be replaced.

Vacuuming thoroughly and regularly will help but most domestic vacuums can remove only the surface debris. Regular professional carpet cleaning shifts the dirt that has migrated deeper down into the fibres and maintains their quality.

Fewer stains, less maintenance

Have you ever been frustrated by how quickly carpets look stained and grubby in high-traffic areas? That’s largely due to the accumulation of dirt from shoes.

And how often do you realise too late that you or your guest has walked in with something really bad on the bottom of their shoe – soft tar, chewing gum, squished food, car oil, dog poo – and now you’ve got a trail through all your main areas!

By introducing a shoes-off rule, you significantly reduce the need for carpet stain removal, keeping your Christchurch home fresher for longer.

Secure the return of your bond

Maintaining clean carpets is crucial when moving out of a rental property. The fear of losing the bond is often enough of a motivation to insist on a shoes-off policy. Landlords often require professional end of tenancy carpet cleaning to ensure the next tenant moves into a fresh space so it’s important to do whatever you can while you’re living there to keep the home in top condition.

Is it just about the carpet? Consider your furniture and upholstery

Carpets aren’t the only surfaces absorbing dirt and bacteria. Outdoor shoes, handbags, school bags, jackets, sofas, armchairs, and even dining chairs trap sweat, hair and body oils, dust, pet dander, and everyday grime from your work environment, shopping malls or outdoors. Becoming conscious of what is being brought into your home can motivate you to make small but significant changes. And booking an appointment for upholstery cleaning in Christchurch maintains the beauty and hygiene of your furniture, keeping it looking and smelling fresh.