Are you ready to make your house cleaner, enjoy improved air quality, and barricade your living spaces from those nasty germs your shoes bring in?
How about you kick off those work boots at the door, and step into something more comfortable like a pair of plush indoor slippers! Sound good? Let’s examine why this could be your next go-to home habit.
Why Should You Take Your Shoes Off at Home?
Believe it or not, removing your shoes at the door is about more than just keeping your carpet free of dirt. Your favorite sneakers could be the Trojan Horse for a slew of microorganisms that could harm your home and health, especially if you’ve got little ones crawling around.
Here’s a list of uninvited guests that your shoes might be bringing in:
- Dust, dirt, leaves, and other unwanted matter
- Bird, dog, and other animal droppings
- Clostridium difficile (bacteria that can attack your intestine linings, sometimes causing colitis)
- E. coli strains (causes intestinal damage leading to vomiting and diarrhea)
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (causes lung damage, sometimes resulting in pneumonia)
- Other harmful bacteria that can survive for weeks
According to a study by the University of Arizona, there’s an average of 421,000 bacteria on our shoes. They’re ready to transfer onto our floors at a rate of 90% for hard floors and even higher for carpets!
Let’s Boot Out Those Germs in 6 Easy Steps
So, how can you bid adieu to these pesky invaders? Here are some simple steps:
- Designate an area near the entrance to your home to store shoes.
- A shoe rack or basket could be your best ally.
- Keep house slippers in that same spot for a smooth switch.
- Remember to wash your hands after touching those nasty shoes.
- After coming home, a shower and a change into fresh clothes can wave goodbye to any allergens.
- Encourage your guests to do the same. Have clean slippers or socks ready for them to wear.
Sure, it might feel odd to ask your guests to shed their shoes at the door. But remember, a big part of hosting is providing a comfortable, clean environment. As more people adopt this habit, it’ll soon become second nature.
And the benefits? A cleaner home, fresher air, fewer illnesses, and floors that last longer. That’s definitely worth a shot, right?
For more tips on improving your home’s air quality, feel free to give us a call at (903) 455-5662. At Wright’s Air, we’re your friendly neighborhood HVAC experts in Greenville, TX, committed to making sure your home is as clean, comfortable, and welcoming as possible. We’ll even leave our shoes at the door when we drop by!