Should you de-shoe at the door? Here’s the dirty truth

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The question of whether or not to wear shoes in the house is not one to be sidestepped, especially as the season of at-home holiday parties gets underway and germ-conscious hosts are faced with a dilemma. Experts are putting their foot down on this issue, saying that leaving your shoes at the door “absolutely” helps stop the spread of germs in a home.?

TRACKING IN TOXINS

• Environmental scientists say about a third of matter buildup inside the home is from outside, either blown in or tramped in on those offensive shoe bottoms.
• Some of the microorganisms found on shoes and floors are drug-resistant pathogens, including hospital-associated infectious germs that are difficult to treat, experts say.
• One of the most concerning is E. coli, which causes severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. In studies that swab the bottom of shoes, “something like 99% of the shoes test positive for fecal material,” one scientist tells CNN.
• Heavy metals like lead, copper and zinc permeate the soils of urban parks and streets from decades of pollution, while pesticide levels can be high in rural agricultural areas, experts say.?
• Homes built before 1978 are very likely to contain lead-based paint, which can chip, peel and disintegrate into dangerous dust, experts say. There is no safe level of lead at any age, but children are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of heavy metals and pesticides due to their small size and proximity to contaminants as they crawl and play on the floors.

TIPS AND TRICKS

• Experts say never vacuum or sweep with a broom first because that will only stir up all the toxins, sending them airborne. Instead, use a wet or spray mop. As counterintuitive as it may be to add water to dirt, it’s actually the best way to remove toxins.
• Use the “three-bucket” method if you live in an older home with lead paint or an area with high levels of lead outside. Have one bucket ready with an all-purpose cleaning solution, another to rinse and an empty bucket to squeeze out excess water.?
• The highest concentration of germs is in the interior entryway; levels go down as you move away from the area, so you should work your way toward the door, using the clean water as a rinse as you go.?
• Carpeted areas should be vacuumed with a device that has a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter, not bagless vacuums, and remember to throw the bag or filter away in an outside trash can when done.
• Cold feet? It’s common for Asian and Middle Eastern households to have a basket inside the door with washable slippers. Just take your shoes off there and put the slippers on.
• Which part of your house has the most germs? Find out in this video, then check this article for the best way to combat those microbes.

A SHOO-IN

• Beyond the occasional stubbed toe, from an environmental health standpoint there aren’t many downsides to having a shoe-free house, plus it’s a basic and easy prevention activity, experts say.
• A cleaner home also leads to better indoor air quality: According to the EPA, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors where the air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air. And to address indoor air quality effectively, you have to remove all types of contaminants, which include particulate matter – like dust, pet dander, pollen, bacteria, viruses – and?gases, especially from cleaning agents and pesticides.?
• Finer particles, which can be observed as haze, can embed themselves in your lungs and enter your bloodstream. High levels of this particulate matter have been linked to a range of health effects, including decreased lung function, heart attacks and irregular heartbeat.
• What about the “sterile house syndrome”? This refers to increased rates of allergies among children. Some argue it’s related to overly sterile households, but experts say there are better and “less gross” ways to develop your immune system and reduce allergy risk, like going outside and taking a hike.
• Taking a trip down the holiday road? Here’s how to avoid the grossness this season – from your car and eating out to checkouts and hotel rooms.

Are you team shoes or no shoes? Do you think it’s rude to ask guests to remove their shoes before entering your home?? Share your story in the comments.

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