Why do you need to take off your shoes when entering a house? -Towards health

Maybe you didn’t think about taking off your shoes before entering the house; however, andThis is a simple habit that can help you reduce the entry of dirt and bacteria to the interior spaces of your home. In fact, it is no longer a simple practice of Eastern origin.

Nowadays, many people have developed the habit of entering the house barefoot because there are many benefits of going barefoot. If you haven’t done so yet, we invite you to find 8 reasons to encourage you to do it now.

What can reach the bottom of the shoe?

Indeed, there are places where the floors are clearly cleaner. Offices and shopping malls are some examples. often, During these processes, they use chemical products that help reduce the presence of bacteria. Also, clean regularly.

However, not everything happens the same way. It is unavoidable to avoid stepping on surfaces contaminated with dirt and various viruses and bacteria. Risks exist on streets, bus stops and almost all outdoor areas.

Still, most people wear the same shoes at home and outside. Although the risk of infection through this route is low, it is not completely zero. It has been established that many microorganisms enter the interior of the house through the soles of shoes.

Some cause respiratory or digestive system infections due to their ability to proliferate and come into contact with mucous membranes. Some of the contaminants observed in shoes are as follows:

• E. coli: A bacterium thought to be the leading cause of diarrhea; it has also been linked to urinary tract infections, blood infections, and respiratory illnesses. It may be deposited on the floor due to animal waste.
• Clostridium difficile: Also causes diarrhea and has been linked to colitis. It is common on shoe soles, especially in urban environments.
• Staphylococcus aureus: This substance has been found in the shoes of people who work in medical centers or handle food. The pathogen is highly contagious and can cause boils and other infections with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, fever, stomach cramps, and muscle and joint pain.
• Pesticides and Herbicides: They are products used in places with green spaces, such as parks, crops and even golf courses; they will soak into the soles of shoes and remain in the gaps. Some can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or poisoning.

All of these substances and bacteria that can cause health problems are invisible to the naked eye; however, they wear footwear and often carry dust and dirt into our homes.

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Why do you need to take off your shoes when entering a house?

By now, you probably already know why it’s best to take off your shoes before entering the house. Nonetheless, we will address 8 reasons in detail.

1. Reduce pathogens

As we mentioned, an untold number of various disease-causing bacteria are found in shoes.In research conducted on the topic it was determined There are hundreds of thousands of these microorganisms in footwear.

In fact, they are mutually cumulative and interdependent. In addition, conditions such as humidity and heat create favorable conditions for their reproduction. Therefore, taking off your shoes before entering the house is a good health measure.

2. Reduce dirt

Dust and other elements, including possible residues of animal droppings (whether domestic or foreign), can adhere to the soles of your shoes. Taking off your shoes when entering your home can greatly reduce dust and unpleasant odors from entering your space.

3. Easier to clean

Spores from some of the bacteria mentioned above are not that easy to remove. Hence the need to use disinfecting products to clean the floors.

By preventing these microorganisms from entering the home through shoes, it also Reduce the need to use such cleaners. Not to mention that tiles don’t stain and are easier to keep clean throughout most of the day.

4. Wood floor care

Taking off your shoes when entering the house can help care for and protect hardwood floors. This prevents, for example, friction with harder shoe soles and possible contact with corrosive substances that may adhere.

5. Clean carpets

If you have carpets in your home, contact with your shoes will accelerate their wear and tear. Dust, dirt, and other debris make cleaning and disinfecting difficult. In fact, they can become a breeding ground for microorganisms.

6. Child care

For families with children, shoes staining the floors may pose a greater risk. It must be remembered that small children often put objects in their hands and mouths and also throw them on the floor. And if they have reached crawling age, the situation is even more complicated.

7. Relax your feet

Take off your shoes after a hard day When you’ve been walking barefoot or wearing socks for a while, you’ll often experience a relaxing sensation that becomes more intense. In fact, this practice is beneficial for the support of the feet and their muscles.

8. Cultural reasons

In some Asian countries, especially Japan, it is a custom to take off shoes before entering a house, school or other places. It is believed that in addition to removing dirt, bad energy is also removed.

So how can you move around the house if you take off your shoes at the entrance?

If you’ve decided to take off your shoes before entering the house, you may now be wondering: “How do you get into the house?” You can go barefoot or wear socks if you feel comfortable. even, This is recommended if you walk in heels all day or have circulation problems.

However, you may want to avoid direct contact of your feet or socks with the floor. In some cases, if the surface is uneven, this may worsen heel pain or lead to the development of calluses. This is also not a good option if you have bone spurs or bunions.

So the solution in these cases is Prepare some comfortable slippers or slippers to change when you get home. This is even more important for older adults, who are more likely to suffer injuries and falls when barefoot. Also suitable for diabetics who are at risk of complications from wounds.

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Some tips to remember

If you’re considering taking off your shoes when entering the house as an alternative, here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Set up a shoe-off area near the front door.
• This area should have a piece of furniture to place your shoes on, as well as a bench if you need to sit down while taking off your shoes.
• Likewise, if you don’t want to go barefoot, keep spare shoes nearby.
• Inform your family and friends about this custom. This will prevent them from entering your house with your shoes on.
• Politely ask visitors if they would mind taking off their shoes.
• Provide slippers or similar items for visitors.

Of course, with some guests or in formal settings, such as dinners or meetings, you have to be flexible and adhere to the no-shoes rule.

Is it risky to enter the house without taking off your shoes?

While we’ve seen there are some benefits to taking off your shoes when entering your home, does not consider it an obligation to adopt this custom. This is the free choice of an individual or family group.

When it comes to microbes, this is just one measure to reduce their presence in your home. These can leak through other means, such as moisture issues or the presence of pets. Regardless, regular cleaning of the floor is recommended.

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