Take Off Your Shoes When You Arrive For A Much Healthier Home
When I had a Japanese guest many years ago, I realized he was uncomfortable with the fact that I was wearing my shoes around the house. He could not believe that I had not taken them off.
As the Japanese eat off tatami mats on the floor and they sleep on futons, it is understandable why they get uncomfortable with us sloppy individuals. But there are many scientific and hygienic reasons why we should all take a leaf out of their book.
I started to wear slippers when my Japanese friend was there and continued after he left.
I had to invent a rather fussy cleaning lady when I insisted that other friends and guests do the same thing.
Bring a pair of slippers, I’d say.
They thought I was a little crazy. Many British and American families just could not be bothered or have never given it a moment’s thought. But it is standard practice in most Middle Eastern and Asian homes. Just another enormous difference between East and West.
Fortunately, science has stepped in and lots of research shows that the nasty bacteria we are bringing home on our shoe soles are better left outside or at least just inside the door. It is easy to put a shoe bin there and have slippers ready to wear. Look at the added benefits you get straight away:-
- Makes you quieter and your neighbors downstairs will hate you a little less!
- Taking off shoes is a sign of respect for your hosts and the environment
- Slippers are so much more comfortable
- Keeps your house so much cleaner
- Saves your shoes and carpets wear and tear.
What nasty bacteria are on your shoes when you arrive?
A nasty bacterium goes by the name of Clostridium difficile (C.diff) and it is difficult as it name suggests. Researchers at the University of Houston found that this C.diff was on about 40% of shoes they had examined. They also found that this germ was also (to a much lesser degree) on countertops and toilets and in floor dust which is all over the house, of course.
If in the unlucky event, you were to get an infection caused by the C.diff, it is not easy at all to treat as it is resistant to most antibiotics. It is sad to reflect that a number of patients get this infection while they are in the hospital!
Now, this is one guest you can do without so take off your shoes and put on your slippers!
What about all those dead leaves?
In addition to all the bird droppings, dog shit and nasty dust, the harmless dead leaves are the most dangerous. The reason is that they provide the ideal breeding ground for lots of bacteria so if they are given a tour of the house, well, that is just not very healthy.
According to Dr. Kelly Reynolds, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, these bacteria will live a long and happy life for a few weeks, unwanted guests in your house.
Other research shows that there can be up to 9 different bacteria species on your shoes. These are nasty customers because they may lead to stomach, ear and lung infections. Leave them outside or at least, near the door!
Some pathogenic organisms can lead to Salmonella and E. Coli infections. These are mostly pretty harmless but there is one particularly nasty one which is the E.coli 0157:H7 which can cause vomiting and or diarrhea.
If you think you cannot get those from your show bottoms, think again.
How many times have you visited the restrooms in the office today?
Time to have a healthier and cleaner house.
I know some yoga enthusiasts who insist that I take off my shoes and have to enter their house just wearing socks. That can get pretty cold in winter unless they have underfloor heating.
Less extreme ways are:-
- Keep a shoe rack at the entrance so it becomes standard practice for all your family and friends.
- If you do go around barefoot (I don’t like that because I don’t know how clean the floor is!), you can stimulate the foot pressure points. Reflexologists love this. I choose the middle road and will always have at least a pair of socks on.
- If you have toddlers, you can be more relaxed about letting them play on the floor. It will be so much cleaner.
- You may notice that your downstairs neighbors will start smiling again as they no longer have to hear you clumping around!
“It’s easier to put on slippers than to carpet the whole world.”- Al Franken