Apologies, but scientists have come down firmly on the side of ‘no shoes inside’ households, marking a victory for indoor footwear like slippers.
As a child, I was raised in a household where shoes were strictly prohibited indoors. My father, being Korean, followed a cultural norm prevalent in many Asian families. Additionally, both of my parents were microbiologists, so they knew well that bringing in outdoor grime was generally not a great idea. Shoes stayed at the entrance, while slippers and flip-flops took over inside.
Now, scientific research has entered the shoes-indoors conversation, and it’s clear: leave those filthy shoes at the door for your own well-being. A team of environmental chemists has been investigating household contaminants for a decade, and their findings indicate the importance of removing shoes before entering your home. Their initiative, DustSafe, analyzes vacuum dust from households worldwide, identifying harmful substances—much of which can be tracked in on your footwear.
Should You Wear Shoes Indoors?
While it may seem obvious that shoes carry dirt and grime, the reality is more complex. Approximately one-third of the dirt in your home can be traced back to your shoes, including dangerous bacteria, toxins from asphalt, heavy metals, and chemicals from gardening products, as reported to CNN. Although you can’t completely prevent this contamination, taking off your shoes offers significant protection.
Health Risks of Household Germs from Shoes
Considering that humans spend around 90% of their time indoors, it’s crucial to recognize what we breathe in. The dust circulating in our homes contains not only ordinary household debris like skin cells and pet dander but also residues brought in from outside—such as microplastics, antibiotic-resistant genes, PFAs, and toxic metals. While some of these contaminants may enter through open windows, much of it is tracked in on our shoes.
Get Yourself Some House Shoes
The DustSafe research team concluded that the benefits of removing shoes outweigh any downsides. Wearing socks or slippers indoors is ideal. If you require arch or ankle support, consider having a designated pair of indoor shoes that you can easily slip on after taking off your outdoor footwear. Although some studies suggest that a little dirt can strengthen your immune system, it’s better to get your dirt exposure outside rather than on your floors and carpets.
While maintaining a completely sterile environment or relying too heavily on strong cleaning products isn’t advisable, this isn’t a concern for most parents. In summary, taking off your shoes at the door helps control dust, toxins, and germs in your home. It’s also an easy way to keep your floors cleaner for longer, and in many cultures, it’s simply the polite thing to do.
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