Shoes vs No Shoes Inside the House
There definitely seems to be two types of homeowners when it comes to the debate on shoes: those who are carefree, and those who wouldn’t dare to wear shoes inside. We’re sharing both sides of the debate, the pros and cons, tips, team thoughts, and ways to entice people in your home to remove their shoes!
Pros and cons of wearing shoes in your home.
Pros:
- It’s more convenient to leave them on.
- You don’t have to worry about offending your guests.
- It’s more comfortable on your back and feet.
Cons:
- You track in dirt, bacteria, and other harmful germs.
- Uncleanly – especially for small babies who crawl around or kids who play on the floor.
- It’s considered to be rude by some homeowners and in many other countries.
- It creates more messes inside your home to clean.
- Visible dirt might make you feel stressed.
Hip Facts: Did you know that according to Today.com, 93% of shoes worn for longer than a month have fecal bacteria on the bottom of them? Dr. Charles Gerba, who conducted the study, credited these contamination findings from pet waste on the ground outside and splashes from the toilet on public restroom floors.
He also stated, “We found E. coli, too.”. The bacteria is usually harmless, but some strains can make you sick, causing diarrhea or urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses, according to the CDC.
If you’re feeling like you need to ditch the shoes now, here are some tips for getting guests to take theirs off:
1. Place a sign or wall decal near your entrance for guests.
A funny sign is a great way to humor guests and makes light of the whole shoe situation. But really, friends: in all seriousness, you still need to take off the shoes! 😏
2. Put a large basket or shoe rack by the door.
There are many different and affordable options at Target to store shoes by your front door. I love having a large shoe rack in our garage by the door (so all shoes stay outside), and Collin said she loves having a large decorative basket by her front door! Both options can even double as pretty home decor and you can spray paint the basket to match any decor!
3. Provide slippers or flip flops for guests to wear.
Buy 6-pack or larger on Amazon – $22.95+
If you really have no shame in asking guests to remove their shoes, these packs of disposable indoor slippers are a great alternative to offer to your guests who don’t like to walk around barefoot. They come in a pack of 6 or 12 and fit most adults. It’s a win, win!
4. Buy an anti-microbial mat if you just can’t ask them to ditch the shoes at the door.
Buy it on Amazon – $43+
These mats are designed to stop bacteria and germs at the entrance. The molded bubble pattern on the surface allows for high moisture retention and ease when scraping the bottoms of shoes. With 7 different colors and 6 sizes to choose from, this is your next best alternative from not wearing shoes in your home!
So how does the Hip2Save team feel about wearing shoes inside?
Taking them off vs. 
Wearing them anywhere
“I don’t like shoes in the house. We take them off at the door. I do have to sometimes remind my 13-year-old and my husband. LOL! However, it’s really hard for me to say anything to guests when they come over.” – Amber S.
“My other half is a clean freak, so when you enter our home, we take them off in the kitchen where there’s tile by the door. I live with two boys who are total clean freaks, so between the two of them, they keep the shoes nice and neat and out of the house.
I also take my shoes off at any house I go to because I figure if they don’t care, it won’t make a difference – but if they do care, they will appreciate I did. We also have ‘house shoes’ that never go outside, since sometimes I prefer to not walk barefoot.” – Alana
“No shoes in my house! They cause a massive anxiety attack, and it’s my biggest pet peeve! Also, why is it that right after I vacuum and sweep the entire house, 10 kids coming running through the door and up the stairs without removing shoes! UGH, gross!” – Bryn
“Nope, we do not allow shoes on in the house. I will make an exception for guests, however. Our house rule is to take your shoes off when you get in and find a spot on the shelf for them to go. With so many kids going in and out, our beige carpet takes a beating, but I think this no-shoe rule has helped keep it clean over the years. And for whenever anyone forgets, I grab my trusty Dyson!” – Jenna
“I don’t allow shoes in my home for our immediate family, and I have slippers or flip flops that I only wear indoors when I don’t feel like being barefoot. However, when we have company over, I normally let it go. I know I personally plan my footwear around my outfit, and it sucks to have to remove them whenever I go somewhere.” – Jessica B.
“Shoes come off by the door for our immediate family, but I tend to make exceptions for guests so they feel comfortable. My husband doesn’t enjoy being barefoot, so he has ‘house sandals’ for the summer and slippers for the rest of the time.” – Liza
“I absolutely am against shoes in the house. That said, hospitality always comes first, so I always encourage guests to take shoes off, but I’m gracious if they don’t. We have slippers for inside as well. Many people are probably already aware that you track in bacteria and bathroom residue from public restrooms, and that’s just gross. Plus, the pesticides brought in from landscaping. Everything gets trapped in the carpet where kids play, so I avoid that at all costs.” – Jami
“No, I personally don’t like shoes in the house because – kids and dog poop. 😉 LOL In all seriousness, I’m not a fan of my kids or really anyone walking into the house and all over my area rugs with their dirty shoes on. 😬 I’m one of those people who is thinking about all of the dirt they are tracking through our home with each step taken, but often feel awkward saying anything to a guest. I do have a large (and, of course, cute!) basket right by the door, as I’m hoping it’s a BIG hint to visitors to please take off their shoes.” – Collin
“The thought of shoes on any surface I walk barefoot on makes me cringe, hard! I never paid much attention to shoes in the house until we built our new house, and the thought of anyone tracking in dirt from their shoes was enough to make us stop wearing shoes inside. It’s a battle with our three kids, but it’s one thing I won’t budge on now – especially after learning all the gross bacteria that’s on them and really thinking about where I walk when I’m not home.” – Sara
Taking them off vs. Wearing them anywhere
“YES. I allow shoes in my home. To me, people (and their comfort) are more important than things. That said, I’ll gladly remove my shoes at someone else’s home out of politeness.” – Jamie
“We mostly have tile or wood that’s easy to clean – and I can’t be barefoot long because of heel pain – so I have to wear shoes when walking around the house all day. So we allow shoes. The only shoes I obviously don’t let in the house are dirty cleats and sports shoes. If we had carpet, I might feel totally different, though!” – Lina
“I seriously don’t take my own shoes off until I go to bed. I hate being barefoot. My kids can’t stand having shoes on, so they usually don’t make it back in the door with them on anyway, but shoes do not bother me in the house at all. Like, not even a little bit. Actually, I really don’t like it when people make me take my shoes off in their house LOL! I think I’m going to start carrying around slippers. 😂“ – Erica
The verdict? Wearing them anywhere – 3 vs. Taking them off – 9
So it’s pretty clear to see which our team prefers.
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