It’s an age-old dilemma: should you wear shoes indoors, or shouldn’t you?
Everyone has their own take on the shoes-in-the-house policy, and for different reasons. Some keep their sneakers on for convenience; others ask that footwear remains at the door, wanting to protect their home from outside germs or save their floors from damage and stains.
If you’re in the latter category, you’re not alone. In addition to dirt, debris, and the occasional wad of chewing gum, it turns out that the bottoms of our shoes are covered in over 400,000 types of bacteria that can get tracked into the house.
But before you go into a germ-induced panic, remember that bacteria’s everywhere, and to some degree, it’s a necessary part of building our immune systems.
Still, many purists prefer to keep mud in the mudroom, even if the intent is to preserve their rugs among all else. It’s a simple rule that you can enforce with family, but when guests come over, how do you politely ask them to lose the shoes?
Below, check out five cute, clever and convenient ways to get the message across. After all, it’s your house, your rules!
Shoes expert 