Ditch Your Shoes: The Advantages of Barefooting According to Experts
Discover the benefits of going barefoot at home! Our article explores expert opinions on whether asking guests to remove their shoes is necessary for a clean and healthy environment
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With at-home holiday gatherings approaching, hosts who are mindful of germs may be wondering whether to ask guests to remove their shoes upon entry. This is especially true for cocktail or formal events, and when guests are passionate about their stylish footwear like the iconic Carrie Bradshaw.
During a baby shower in a 2003 episode of "Sex and the City," Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is requested to remove her $485 Manolo Blahnik shoes upon arrival at her friend Kyra's (Tatum O'Neal) New York City event, only to discover they are missing later on.
"I hadn't even made it around the party once," Carrie complained at a lunch with her friends afterward. The beloved TV character had to make her way home in her party attire, wearing a pair of old gray sneakers borrowed from the host.
Carrie's friend Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) asked incredulously, "Why on earth did you take off your shoes?"
"We had to," Carrie explained. "Apparently, we track in things on our shoes that can make kids sick."
In an August 2003 episode of "Sex and the City" on HBO, Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw is seen walking home in borrowed sneakers. Her Manolo Blahnik shoes had been stolen after her friend asked guests to leave their shoes at the front door. This iconic moment captured the attention of many viewers.
The episode "A Woman's Right to Shoes" aimed to address the challenges that single individuals face in a society that prioritizes families with children. However, it also sparked a discussion about the link between going shoeless and reducing the spread of germs in a household.
"Definitely," stated Gabriel Filippelli, the chancellor's professor of the Department of Earth Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the executive director of Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute.
"We are able to detect various types of bacteria, but the ones we are particularly worried about include E. coli, which can lead to intense abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting," he explained. "Studies have shown that nearly 99% of shoes test positive for fecal material when swabbed on the bottom."
In addition to bacteria, there are other dangers present in the dust and dirt around rural and urban homes, gardens, and parks. Jill Litt, an environmental studies professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder and senior researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain, emphasized the presence of heavy metals and more.
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Research has indicated that in older urban areas, dust can contain lead that may be brought into homes on shoes. Additionally, studies have shown that pesticide residues from gardens can also be brought indoors on shoes. Litt further explained that heavy metals such as lead, copper, and zinc can be found in urban soils due to decades of pollution, while pesticide levels can be elevated in rural agricultural areas.
Homes constructed prior to 1978 are likely to contain lead-based paint that can deteriorate into hazardous dust, experts warn. No amount of lead is considered safe at any age, but children are at heightened risk due to their small size and their tendency to be in close contact with contaminants as they move about on the floors of the home.
"Hand-to-mouth contact is one of the primary ways young children are exposed to toxic substances and infectious agents," said Litt, who is a leader of the Reimagining Environments for Connection and Engagement project, funded by the European Union to combat loneliness through natural spaces.
Start by using a wet mop
Prior to requesting that individuals remove their shoes, ensure that the home is free of dust, according to experts. It is advised not to vacuum or sweep with a broom initially, as this will only disperse all the toxins into the air. Instead, opt for a wet or spray mop. Despite seeming counterintuitive to add water to dirt, it is actually the most effective way to eliminate toxins, as stated by Litt.
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Filippelli also advises avoiding the use of feather dusters on any horizontal surface. Instead, regularly clean horizontal surfaces with a damp cloth, including windowsills, tables, coffee tables, chair bottoms, chair seats, and other furniture in addition to the floor.
If you live in an older home with lead paint or an area with high levels of lead outside, use the "three-bucket" method. Have one bucket ready with an all-purpose cleaning solution, another for rinsing, and an empty bucket.
Filippelli also mentioned that some people use a weak vinegar solution in their wash water, which is effective. She pointed out that while there are powerful sterilizers on the market, they are often not safe for humans. When a strong smell is present, it's important to consider potential risks.
To clean, dip the mop into the cleaning solution, wring out the excess water into the bucket, and start mopping from the furthest point from the door. Gradually work your way towards the door, using clean water as a rinse. Only flush the water into the toilet and avoid throwing it outside.
Litt explained that the area with the highest concentration of germs is the interior entry way, and the levels decrease as you move further away from this area. He suggested removing carpeting if there are concerns about dust and potential health issues, as it tends to retain a lot of dust. Additionally, he recommended using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to clean carpeted areas, and disposing of the bag or filter in an outside trash can once finished, rather than using bagless vacuums.
Guest Comfort is Key
While removing shoes at the door is an effective way to prevent germs and toxic dust from entering the home, it's also important to consider the comfort of your guests. According to Filippelli, offering washable slippers or non-slip socks can be a considerate gesture.
Clostridioides difficile, also known as C. Diff, is responsible for causing diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. It is estimated that there are 223,900 cases of infection and 12,800 deaths attributed to this bacterium every year. The pathogen has been identified as one of the CDC's five urgent threats to antibiotic resistance.
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"I prefer not to walk barefoot indoors, so here's my solution. I keep a pair of warm slippers right by my front door - a practice common in many other cultures," he explained.
"In many Asian and Middle Eastern households, you'll find a small cubby inside the door with washable slippers. The custom is to remove your shoes there and put on the slippers provided."
Did that solve Carrie's shoe-removal problems? No, they were taken care of when she asked Kyra to buy new Manolos as a gift for her impending marriage to herself.
"Is that all she's registered for?" Kyra asked the salesperson while her kids ran around the upscale Manolo Blahnik store on Madison Avenue.
