Do You Wear Shoes in the House?

A few weeks ago, while scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon a heated discussion about wearing shoes inside the house. The conversation started with a woman folding laundry on her living room floor, and the comments section exploded with people criticizing her for putting clean clothes on the floor. The debate quickly shifted to the broader question: “Do YOU wear shoes in the house?! No, because floors are gross. Don’t put clean clothes there! Now you have to rewash them!”

This piqued my interest because the topic of wearing shoes inside seems to elicit strong opinions. I read through hundreds of comments—some people were indifferent (“This is really not a big deal…”) while others were extreme (“I don’t have people over because I’m so disgusted by what they could track in.”).

The truth is, it’s okay to wear shoes in the house, and it’s also okay not to. There are arguments and data to support both sides. Let’s explore why I don’t mind if you wear shoes in my house (and why I’m okay with taking my shoes off at yours).

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Should You Wear Shoes Around the House?

Most people who choose to go shoe-free cite dirt and contaminants as their primary concern.

Shoes can indeed carry everything from feces to lawn chemicals to bacteria. A University of Arizona study often cited in articles found huge amounts of germs and chemicals on participants’ shoes. However, this study had limitations: it only included 10 participants over two weeks and was funded by a shoe company promoting machine-washable shoes. Its findings have not been rigorously vetted or replicated.

The New York Times delved into the topic, consulting various experts. They found that there are far grosser ways of contracting bacteria in your home than wearing shoes indoors.

Dr. Aaron E. Carroll, professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, pointed out that sponges, which retain water and food particles, are a “cesspool” of bacteria. Other commonly touched, seldom-washed surfaces include money, ATM buttons, and gas pump handles. He suggested that focusing on shoes might be misguided compared to these other vectors.

Jack A. Gilbert, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, noted, “Considering the benefits of modern-day sanitation, vaccinations, and health care, the likelihood of getting sick from our shoes is ‘infinitesimally small as to almost be unwarranted.’”

An interesting point: do no-shoes households wash their hands after removing shoes? It seems like a good practice to consider.

The main takeaway: while shoes can bring in contaminants, they are not the biggest threat compared to other daily exposures.

What About Pet Owners?

Should pet owners take their shoes off inside the house? This remains a personal choice. Pets themselves track in dirt and germs from outside, so even a no-shoes rule might not significantly reduce contaminants. Ultimately, the decision to wear shoes inside or not should be based on what makes you comfortable and fits your lifestyle. Whether you’re a pet owner or not, maintaining cleanliness through regular cleaning and handwashing is key.