The simple task of slipping off your shoes as soon as you walk through the front door is, for some, a step you should never skip. This is why many impose a "no shoes allowed" rule in their homes...
1. They could ruin your floors over time
"Hard shoes or heels are more abrasive than socks or slippers," explains Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Shoes will scratch your hardwoods over time. Not to mention, shoes also pick up small particles of grit that cause wear and tear on carpet.
2. They carry toxins that pollute the air in your home
Research has shown that things like the chemicals you use to treat your lawn or the coal tar that's used on asphalt roads can easily get tracked into your house on your shoes and settle into nooks and crannies. Slipping your shoes off is an easy way to protect your health.
3. They track in dirt that ends up everywhere
Of course, not everything you tread on outside is toxic – but a lot of it can be. You can ask your family to leave shoes at the door, but invest in a doormat to thwart debris from guests' shoes. Actually make it two doormats — one for the inside and one for the outside, so you've got double the chance of trapping dirt before it finds its way into your kitchen.
4. They're a hot spot for bacteria
Seriously, the ickiest of the icky: In a study by shoe company Rockport at the University of Arizona, they found that frequent contact with "fecal material" (most likely thanks to your trips to public restrooms) means shoes harbour a host of nasty bacteria, including E. coli.
5. They hold back your feet from being their strongest
While the arch support most shoes sport is key for comfort during the day, your feet shouldn't experience this support all the time. Walking barefoot helps keep feet and arches strong.
6. Left strewn about your house, shoes risk becoming your dog's favourite chew toy
While leaving them out is fun for him, it's bad for your brand-new pumps. The puncture holes your furry friend's teeth leave are impossible to fix (which you've probably learned the hard way). If this is a problem in your household, start stashing them out of sight as soon as you get home.
7. They add more clutter
Here's how to prevent that stray tennis shoe from ending up in the bedroom with its mate nowhere in sight: Immediately take your shoes off and putting them on a designated shelf in your entryway as soon as you get home.
8. They stall relaxation time at the end of the day
When you remove your shoes, you're subconsciously telling your brain that you're done for the day and it's relaxation time. Go ahead, you deserve it.
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