SHOES OFF, PLEASE

Taking off your shoes when you enter your home has got to be the simplest thing you can do to live a healthier life. Not to mention that doesn’t cost you money or time. The Japanese were the first to introduce the “shoes off” policy and also happen to have the longest life expectancy. Coincidence? I think not.

Most people are concerned about toxins in their food, air or workplace, but don’t think twice about the ones they are carrying into their home. Parents want to take their children to safe playgrounds and yet have toxic playgrounds in their own home when they don’t take their shoes off. It’s the little ones who truly pay the price since they spend the majority of their time playing on the floor.

Shoes track in pesticides, fertilizers, lead and excrement. Yes, you read that correctly, excrement! We track in animal excrement which includes humans. Think of the last time you visited a public restroom and what you may have stepped in. Now think of bringing that into your home, having it turn into dust particles, and then inhaling it. The pesticides and fertilizers I mentioned earlier work the same way. They get trapped in your carpet and don’t break down as fast as they do outside in the sun. This leaves you with toxic dust particles that you inhale. In addition to taking your shoes off, it’s important to vacuum and wash your floors on a regular basis as well dust and clean those windows. These things aren’t about looking like you have a clean house, but about your own personal health.

Begin by making a commitment to yourself to take those shoes off. Some say that this can also be a good thing for your mental health. It’s a way to “take off” the outside and relax in your home. It can also be better for your back in the long run. Once you make it a habit, ask that your guests also take off their shoes. You can place a sign in your doorway simply stating, “Please take your shoes off.” If you’d like to be cheekier you could say, “You have two choices at my door. Take off your shoes or scrub the floors” or “Your soul is welcomed. Your shoes are not.” Do not, I repeat, DO NOT feel bad about asking people to take their shoes off. Your guests wouldn’t put their shoes on your kitchen table would they? If you have small children, that’s exactly what it would be like. My 1 ½ year old son will take his food, throw it on the floor, and then climb down and eat it. Doesn’t bother this germaphobe much since I know my floors are clean. Frankly, if that’s the only way he’ll eat his fruits and vegetables I might get rid of the kitchen table all together.

For those guests who do not feel comfortable taking their shoes off, you can offer them an alternative. Place shoe covers in a small basket and leave them by the door. This way your guests can choose whether to take their shoes off or use a slip cover. These covers are usually sold in the painting supply section of large stores. For guests that may be staying longer, you could purchase different sized slippers at a discount store.

Not to get all infomercial on you or anything, but one of my favorite household items is my carpet cleaner. It’s easy to use, cleans your carpet quickly, and pays for itself in one use. Not to mention it also prolongs the life of your carpet. I bought mine for under $200. You can use it once a year on the entire house and periodically for heavy traffic areas. No need to move all that furniture around when you can simply go over the areas that get the most traffic. We’ve also had disgusting accidents by dogs and kids where I was extremely thankful I had my carpet cleaner handy. Having a clean carpet will also make people less hesitant to take their shoes off. Who want to take their shoes off when the floor is dirty?

Now that you are in the know….begin your healthy lifestyle by kicking off those shoes. Before you know it, you’ll be doing yoga in your front room and drinking Kombucha. Hmmn… those are also Asian traditions.