Shoes vs No Shoes Inside the House
There definitely seems to be two types of homeowners when it comes to the debate on shoes: those who are carefree, and those who wouldn’t dare to wear shoes inside. We’re sharing both sides of the debate, the pros and cons, tips, team thoughts, and ways to entice people in your home to remove their shoes!
Pros and cons of wearing shoes in your home.
Pros:
- It’s more convenient to leave them on.
- You don’t have to worry about offending your guests.
- It’s more comfortable on your back and feet.
Cons:
- You track in dirt, bacteria, and other harmful germs.
- Uncleanly – especially for small babies who crawl around or kids who play on the floor.
- It’s considered to be rude by some homeowners and in many other countries.
- Creates more messes inside your home to clean.
- Visible dirt might make you feel stressed.
Hip Facts: Did you know that according to Today.com, 93% of shoes worn for longer than a month have fecal bacteria on the bottom of them? Dr. Charles Gerba, who conducted the study, credited these contamination findings from pet waste on the ground outside and splashes from the toilet on public restroom floors.
He also stated,”We found E. coli, too.”. The bacteria is usually harmless, but some strains can make you sick, causing diarrhea or urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses, according to the CDC.
If you’re feeling like you need to ditch the shoes now, here are some tips for getting guests to take theirs off:
1. Place a sign or wall decal near your entrance for guests.
A funny sign is a great way to humor guests and makes light of the whole shoe situation. But really, friends: in all seriousness, you still need to take off the shoes! 😏
2. Put a large basket or shoe rack by the door.
There are many different and affordable options at Target to store shoes by your front door. I love having a large shoe rack in our garage by the door (so all shoes stay outside), and Collin said she loves having a large decorative basket by her front door! Both options can even double as pretty home decor and you can spray paint the basket to match any decor!
Hip Tip: Check out my other clever and frugal shoe storage ideas for your home!
3. Provide slippers or flip flops for guests to wear.
Buy 6-pack or larger on Amazon – $21+
If you really have no shame in asking guests to remove their shoes, these packs of disposable indoor slippers are a great alternative to offer to your guests who don’t like to walk around barefoot. They come in a pack of 6 or 12 and fit most adults. It’s a win, win!
4. Buy an anti-microbial mat if you just can’t ask them to ditch the shoes at the door.
Buy it on Amazon – $48+
These mats are designed to stop bacteria and germs at the entrance. The molded bubble pattern on the surface allows for high moisture retention and ease when scraping the bottoms of shoes. With 7 different colors and 6 sizes to choose from, this is your next best alternative from not wearing shoes in your home!
So how does the Hip2BeHome team feel about wearing shoes inside?
Taking them off vs. 
Wearing them anywhere
“I don’t like shoes in the house. We take them off at the door. I do have to sometimes remind my 13-year-old and my husband. LOL! However, it’s really hard for me to say anything to guests when they come over.” – Amber S.
“My other half is a clean freak, so when you enter our home, we take them off in the kitchen where there’s tile by the door. I live with two boys who are total clean freaks, so between the two of them, they keep the shoes nice and neat and out of the house.
I also take my shoes off at any house I go to because I figure if they don’t care, it won’t make a difference – but if they do care, they will appreciate I did. We also have ‘house shoes’ that never go outside, since sometimes I prefer to not walk barefoot.” – Alana
“No shoes in my house! They cause a massive anxiety attack, and it’s my biggest pet peeve! Also, why is it that right after I vacuum and sweep the entire house, 10 kids coming running through the door and up the stairs without removing shoes! UGH, gross!” – Bryn
“Nope, we do not allow shoes on in the house. I will make an exception for guests, however. Our house rule is to take your shoes off when you get in and find a spot on the shelf for them to go. With so many kids going in and out, our beige carpet takes a beating, but I think this no-shoe rule has helped keep it clean over the years. And for whenever anyone forgets, I grab my trusty Dyson!” – Jenna
“I don’t allow shoes in my home for our immediate family, and I have slippers or flip flops that I only wear indoors when I don’t feel like being barefoot. However, when we have company over, I normally let it go. I know I personally plan my footwear around my outfit, and it sucks to have to remove them whenever I go somewhere.” – Jessica B.
“Shoes come off by the door for our immediate family, but I tend to make exceptions for guests so they feel comfortable. My husband doesn’t enjoy being barefoot, so he has ‘house sandals’ for the summer and slippers for the rest of the time.” – Liza
“I absolutely am against shoes in the house. That said, hospitality always comes first, so I always encourage guests to take shoes off, but I’m gracious if they don’t. We have slippers for inside as well. Many people are probably already aware that you track in bacteria and bathroom residue from public restrooms, and that’s just gross. Plus, the pesticides brought in from landscaping. Everything gets trapped in the carpet where kids play, so I avoid that at all costs.” – Jami
“No, I personally don’t like shoes in the house because – kids and dog poop. 😉 LOL In all seriousness, I’m not a fan of my kids or really anyone walking into the house and all over my area rugs with their dirty shoes on. 😬 I’m one of those people who is thinking about all of the dirt they are tracking through our home with each step taken, but often feel awkward saying anything to a guest. I do have a large (and, of course, cute!) basket right by the door, as I’m hoping it’s a BIG hint to visitors to please take off their shoes.” – Collin
“The thought of shoes on any surface I walk barefoot on makes me cringe, hard! I never paid much attention to shoes in the house until we built our new house, and the thought of anyone tracking in dirt from their shoes was enough to make us stop wearing shoes inside. It’s a battle with our three kids, but it’s one thing I won’t budge on now – especially after learning all the gross bacteria that’s on them and really thinking about where I walk when I’m not home.” – Sara
Taking them off vs. Wearing them anywhere
“YES. I allow shoes in my home. To me, people (and their comfort) are more important than things. That said, I’ll gladly remove my shoes at someone else’s home out of politeness.” – Jamie
“We mostly have tile or wood that’s easy to clean – and I can’t be barefoot long because of heel pain – so I have to wear shoes when walking around the house all day. So we allow shoes. The only shoes I obviously don’t let in the house are dirty cleats and sports shoes. If we had carpet, I might feel totally different, though!” – Lina
“I seriously don’t take my own shoes off until I go to bed. I hate being barefoot. My kids can’t stand having shoes on, so they usually don’t make it back in the door with them on anyway, but shoes do not bother me in the house at all. Like, not even a little bit. Actually, I really don’t like when people make me take my shoes off in their house LOL! I think I’m going to start carrying around slippers. 😂“ – Erica
The verdict? Wearing them anywhere – 3 vs. Taking them off – 9
So it’s pretty clear to see which our team prefers.
I go barefoot but not because of dirt. I don’t wear socks or shoes in my apartment or my mom’s house because I am more comfortable without them. With two exceptions, I also only wear sneakers. Most of the time I wear some old flats to get my mail or take out the trash.
I have never been asked to take my shoes off in someone else’s home. I wouldn’t be opposed if they did ask.
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts with us, Sara!
I’m Canadian. It’s rude to not remove your shoes. So when I married an American and moved to the States, I just got my husband on board. The floors are much cleaner without shoes.
Awesome! I agree! It sure does keep the floors cleaner when leaving your shoes at the door! Thanks for taking a moment to comment!
I’m a Canadian too and I was always shocked by my American family that would wear their shoes in our home. I’m also from India and culturally you don’t wear shoes in your home.
Even worse than shoes in the house are shoes on the couch or on the bed. 😱
Oh yes! I feel the same way!
I’m with Collin and Bryn! It’s all I can think about and it gives me panic attacks. My 9yo daughter has no shame telling the guest to remove their shoes. 🙂
Shoes off and I do it at other people’s houses also. It’s a cultural thing also.
I do hate having my bare feet hanging out so I bring socks if I’m wearing jellies and know I’m going to someone’s house🤣 is that crazy?🤔
Also my sis and daughter say to outside/street clothes on the bed. Or backpacks. But she lets her dogs on/in her bed 🤨. Where does it end 🤣🤣🤣 purses?diaper bags?
Not crazy. I bring socks with me too when I go out in sandals. 😀 At home, I have house slippers. At other people’s home, it’s socks.
Yep, shoes come OFF in my house!
Thanks for sharing with us, Casey!
We have a “no shoes in the house” policy and have a shoe rack by the front door. We always keep our floors and rugs spotless knowing that we’re walking barefoot on them. I personally don’t think it’s fair to ask guests to remove shoes if you have visibly dirty floors. (no one wants to walk barefoot on sticky, dirty floors). We have had luck with most of our friends and family getting the hint with the visible shoe rack and noticing that we take our shoes off at the door…however we have had some people over who totally ignore it and walk right in with shoes on. I cringe the whole time they’re walking over the new rugs we just got, knowing how hard we work to keep the floors clean, and now they’re not! >.<
Hello there,
About how many pairs of adult shoes does that white basket fit?
I love that idea!
Hi Ashley! It will fit at least 10 pairs and possibly more if they are kids shoes or flip flops!
I’m Japanese this is not even a question!!! no shoes inside the house!!
I’m Japanese, too, but my American husband sometimes cannot help walking around with shoes. The only area we don’t go in with shoes on are our living room and bedroom, which are carpetted. I’ve given up telling people to take off their shoes, but maybe I should find the signs like above – they are so cute!!
Does it make sense when people with indoor/outdoor dogs want shoes removed? Isn’t the dog carrying as many germs and tracking in just as much, if not more, bad stuff as shoes?
dogs lick their feet clean. urine and spit have no place on my hard floor or carpet.
I have never seen a dog take a walk outside (through dirt, mud, poop, what have you) and then ALWAYS make sure to stop at the door and thoroughly lick their feet before entering the home! This is funny! Amy– I think you have nailed it. But I will also say that we ourselves are COVERED in bacteria on the inside and outside, and that is how it is meant to be. We are not sterile, and we do not live in a sterile world, either.
Super good point. Dogs themselves are pretty dirty. I loved my dog dearly, but have them lay on a white sheet for a few days and you will see just how dirty. I had to laugh when my sister didn’t want anyone to eat on her couch but lets her dogs lay on it. Yuck.
My sister-in-law tried to tell us once to take off our shoes when we visited because they have light colored carpet. Yeah, I’m not walking barefoot on your nasty carpet that full of pet fur and allergens. We have hardwood floor and would never ask guests to take off their shoes. If they want to, fine. But the comfort of your guests is more important than your carpet.
I personally wear shoes in my house, but I call them “house shoes”. I do take my daily worn shoes off at the door and have my “house shoes a/k/a a thick bottom slide” because I have planters faciatis (sp?) and need to wear something. I would love it if my husband and kids didn’t wear shoes in the house, but that won’t happen, PLUS, what about my dog. He is walking around where people walk, drive, spit, (he pees and poops), what do I do about his paws? I can’t clean them every time he comes in from outdoors…. When I go to friends homes, I ALWAYS bring my slippers with me out of respect…
I had a girlfriend in Germany that taught her dog to wait by the door until she wiped his paws every time she took him outside. LOL
Same here. I bet it’s weird to most people to clean dog’s paws but it is similar to the idea of no outside shoes in the house. So, I am not the only one in the world who washes my dog’s paws when she came from outside 😀 I do even washed her bottom when she’d finished her number 2 outside.
Growing up in Canada its common place. When my American family would visit we legit thought of it as disgusting and rude if someone wore their shoes past the entry way. Moving to the states ive placed signs and mats etc. If you dont know when you enter a home just lightly chuckle and say shoes off right!? Yes. Shoes off.
We were raised that as soon as you get in the house you take your shoes off and put on slippers. We had a shoe cabinet by the front door that we put our everyday shoes in. My brother still has the cabinet and has it in his trailer. I lost mine years ago. I never wear shoes in my house. I wear my socks. I do have house shoes but have never used them. My mother has a pair that I use in her house and reminds me all the time to use them. LOL
Thanks for the feedback! My parents always had us remove our shoes at the door too!
It is one thing to have a rule for your family and children on playdates but I find it a little rude to ask guests to remove their shoes. At a minimum, I have planter fasciitis and it can be painful to walk around without shoes. At a minimum if you are inviting people over you should warn them in advance of this rule so they can be prepared.
Asian house here – no shoes ever in the house. I ask everyone to remove their shoes, including any outside workers. I know I may be a pain, but I just think it’s gross… My 9 yr old daughter actually made a sign that says “Please remove your shoes” and it’s hanging on her doll house! =0
Aww, How cute! 💖
not Asian house and I have shoe shelves at door. I tell my rebellious 15 year old that if she takes her shoes off her friends will follow without asking. set standards. there are good habits and bad habits, run toward the good habits.
My daughter tells her friends to take off their shoes. No shame. LOL.
We have both indoor and outdoor shoes, outdoor running shoes and indoor (treadmill) running shoes. 😀
Love that! I have treadmill shoes too! Thanks for sharing with us, Diana!
We were never that concerned about this and automatically removed shoes only if wet/muddy, but when we moved to our current house, we had our wood floors refinished. The price of that got us to go with the “remove” shoes” policy because our research said our floors would last longer without tracking in outside dirt. We have “inside” shoes and a bench by the back door with some “outside” shoes underneath to make this a convenient process. I find most visitors ask if we want them to remove their shoes. I actually do take slippers with me if going for an extended visit to someone else’s home. I have foot issues so standing barefoot for long is uncomfortable. Am I the only one who worries about foot odor though?lol
Wear your shoes all you want in my house I believe a little dirt never hurt anyone maybe that is why so many people get colds they are to anti germ a phobe they don’t build up a immune system. I like to be barefoot as much as possible but shoes allowed in my place.
Same here. Downstairs isn’t carpeted for this exact reason. When guest begin to take off their shoes, I tell them it isn’t necessary and I point out that I don’t have carpet. That helps put them at ease and feel less guilty about keeping their shoes on.
I used to think it was so odd for people to take off their shoes in the house and awkward for them to expect guests to remove shoes. Then, I had a special needs kid with a heart/lung defect. The doctors told us he would not survive a cold. Initially, we didn’t allow people to visit our home at all. We took our shoes off at the door, washed hands, and changed clothes as soon as we got inside. Eventually, we started inviting friends and family over but warned them they would have to remove their shoes if they came. I posted a sign on the front door asking people to remove shoes and wash or sanitize hands. My son’s pulmonologist said my son was the only kid she had wth pah who was not hospitalized that first winter. I told her people make fun of my techniques. She said, “let them make fun.” She said, “whatever you are doing it is working” He has, in fact, never been hospitalized for an illness in his five years. We recently found out his immune system does not respond to vaccinations—making his track record even more remarkable. I do offer new slippers to overnight guests and shoe covers to handymen, etc. Other than a couple of family members, everyone had been very accommodating.
SO glad he has been doing well and that removing shoes has been so helpful in keeping him healthy! Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with us!
Definitely no shoes in the house! We have shoes for inside only and yes, it’s inconvenient, but for me it’s worth it. It amazes me how many people will put shoes on the kitchen counter or on the table! Gross! 😲
I’m one of those people who really cares about germs because of my son’s lower immune system. He’s been sick with several “weird” things so we have to keep a extra watchful eye on this stuff.
I hate when people don’t remove their shoes in my house, I’m a germaphobe and all I think about is the gross stuff people bring in on their shoes. Who knows what they’ve stepped on in the grocery store – throw-up, spit, or in a public bathroom, or at the gas station – oil/gas, then you want to track that into my house on my hard floors or carpet – I don’t care what floor (even my bathroom floor) don’t bring it into my house – it’s gross!!! I probably sound rude, but really, if you’ve been walking around town you don’t know what you have stepped in, just because you can’t see it, the germs are on your shoes and do you really want that gross stuff on your carpets and floors – and then carried on your bare feet into your nice clean beds/sheets, uuhhh I don’t!
Most of my guests ignore the “no shoes” sign, possibly because we are wearing ours! We actually clean our shoes with disinfecting wipes. I prefer to wear shoes in the house, and my husband has plantar fasciitis. We will need to change things up when our special needs baby starts crawling. I cant stand the thought of my babies touching dirty shoes, and am certain my children have been sick from it in the past. My thought is that I think we need shoe covers for our guests. Has anyone used them?
No, but may be a good idea to have them on hand. Maintenance at our complex put them on before entering.
We almost always take off shoes before coming in, but if we are running into the house to grab something or if we are only home for 15 minutes or so before we go to the next event, etc we keep them on. I always feel bad keeping on shoes if you are going to someones house for some type of party, but usually during the party most people keep on their shoes, especially if it’s a holiday type of party and you are slightly dressed up. I guess just follow whatever the host says for those situations?
Yes! I agree! Always good to check if everyone else is wearing shoes! Thanks for the tip!
I have arthritis and it has been advised by my doctors to not go barefoot that is not good for my knees and also that the support for shoes benefits my issues with my feet.
wear slides inside.
Slides might not work for somebody with feet problems. The feet will be moving inside the shoes and using your toes to keep to keep from sliding might hurt the feet.
My mother in law just replaced her carpets and was told that despite her constant care of them that being bare foot was what caused them to get so dirty! The oils from your feet caused them to become dirtier than if you were to wear shoes! You can’t clean the oil but you can clean dirt. Thought this was quite interesting! She won’t allow us to be barefoot on the new carpet now. We all have to wear slippers or socks.
Oh wow! I never thought about the oils from your feet! Thanks for pointing that out, Aimee!
NO BRAINER … no shoes in the house. I live in a city where we do not get rain much. People urinate and spit on the ground(usually men, who else?). That is not going indoors. I like the floor to be a safe place.
It’s considered rude in European culture to keep your shoes on when you enter a home. You either wear indoor only slippers or socks inside. If guests are barefoot, we offer clean socks to them or booties to wear, then wash them afterwards. My daughter got in trouble in Kindergarten for removing her shoes when she entered the classroom. I had to explain to the teacher that we always remove shoes at home. The teacher thought that was strange.
Also, in many central European kindergarten / elementary schools, kids have slippers they put on before they enter the classroom. Everybody’s slippers are lined up on a shoe rack outside the classroom. And for gym class, there were shoes specifically for the indoor gym, no outside shoes allowed. It seems like Americans (and maybe Brits, not sure) might be the “odd man out” when it comes to wearing shoes inside. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Lora! It sure is interesting to hear how different cultures feel about wearing shoes indoors!
No shoes in the house ever, no outside clothes on the bed, shower before going to sleep in fresh pjs.
we hate wearing shoes, therefore we take them off . the only time i’ve ever requested no shoes is after we had hardwood floors refinished and i had family members refuse to take them off
If you do not clean the floors do not let me catch you wearing shoes in my house! Slippers in winter, socks or barefoot any other time.
We take our shoes off when in our house and out of habit, take them off when visiting friends-unless they have a messy house and we don’t know what we will step in. My children’s allergies are the number one reason we do this. I was told pollen from outside, hay & grass strands adhered to the shoes & may get carried in. Plus who know what you have stepped in through the day. Traveling-I bring house shoes to wear on their carpet. I am a nurse and I take my shoes off outside the door. UGH!! My pet peeve is the dag gum purse! I have trained my husband, it does not go on any surfaces in the house. I try to hang it when I go out, but it slips of the chair-it get sprayed with Lysol. I place it in my lap when I can’t hang it. I hang in on the corner of a stall door or door closer at the top of the door. I have seen ladies, including my sister, place the purse on restaurant floor, bathroom stall floor or even the bathroom floor. Then preecede to place it on my kitchen counter. Blech.
Thanks for sharing, Corina! I’m particular about where I set my purse too!
I used to live in Japan and loved the idea of not wearing shoes in the house as it’s custom there. My apartment had a shoes closet right when you walked in the door which was nice. My only problem with doing that is I like to see my outfit with my shoes on… I guess I could put a full length mirror by the front door too. Lol. I prefer a rack for shoes over a basket. When placed in a basket, the bottoms of other people’s shoes are now on top of my shoes so that fecal matter, germs and dirt will be on the tops of my shoes. I’m a little ocd. 😉
Wearing shoes in the house is FOUL!
Agreed!
We always took our shoes off in the house! I remember when I was really little we had a small house fire and the firemen came. As they were walking in I told them to take off their boots!!!!! My mom quickly told them to just come in but that was how strongly it was enforced at our house!!! Never forgot that!
Thanks for sharing your memory with us, Louise!
I’ve kicked off my shoes at the door since I was a kid – I’m now a great grandma. Lived in Hawaii for many years, and it’s unbelievably rude to wear shoes in the house there – everyone knows to take them off. If it’s cold, I wear slippers inside that never go outside. Many family members have allergies. I don’t have a dog, but it totally grosses me out when my son’s dog walks in his house, then jumps up a lies on the couch after walking outside where he pees and poops. I put a blanket on the couch before I sit down. Couldn’t do that at other’s houses, but it’s just so nasty. I have paper shoe covers for guests who don’t want to remove their shoes. Yes, bare feet can be oily, dirty or nasty too, but nowhere near as bad as shoes.
My husband wears a brace on his foot/leg so he really shouldn’t take his she’s off for safety sake. I always feel bad he can’t so what can he do aside from bring those little shoe covers.
I know at my house, I wouldn’t ask a guest to worry about removing a brace or wearing a foot cover out of respect. In those cases, you just can’t help it. I think it’s very nice of you to bring foot covers.
we don’t make our guests take off their shoes.
But we both always take them off.
In fact, I have slippers to wear around the house.
It’s fun to find unique slippers to buy . 🙂
I like having a pair of fun slippers too, Astrid! I recently found fuzzy flip flop slippers for summer! LOL!
Since we have no carpet in our house, I always wear shoes, actually slippers or flip flops. Stuff tends to stick to your bare feet on bare floors. Also, I sew, so you never know when there might be a needle or pin on the floor!
My mom sewed and as a teenager, I stepped on my share of pins – ouch!
Absolutely no shoes in the house! Totally disgusting!
My dad always wore his in the house, so it was never a big deal. We usually kick ours off at the door, but I am forever telling people they don’t have to take them off when they come in. My dogs make a mess every day with the rain and mud, so I am forever cleaning anyway.
I know what you mean, Emily! My mom has two dogs and she cleans the floors a lot too!
We live in Texas and wear flip flops for a large portion of the year— lemme tell you that my kids feet are probably dirtier than the bottom of their flip flops when they come in the house!! We have all hardwood floors downstairs and a few years ago when we replaced the carpet upstairs with wood, the landing at the top of the stairs was NASTY bc that was the first carpeted area little feet would walk on in our house. YUCK!!
My solution is hardwood floors all over and washable rugs.
Oh yes! Good point! I’m noticing that now as well with summer, flip flop weather! Thanks for mentioning that!
I usually take my shoes off soon after I arrive home, but I don’t leave them by the door. BUT, I never expect anyone else to do it and I don’t much like to do it at others’. It is uncomfortable for me to try to bend down and pull off or put on shoes unless there is a chair or bench. My balance and breathing aren’t good, and it’s embarrassing, especially if there are other people waiting for you to get out of the way.
There’s nothing on your shoes that isn’t also on your clothes and body and in your lungs from dust, etc. in the air. I understand if there’s a medical issue. But I don’t love my rugs more than my guests.
Thanks a bunch for taking a moment to share with us, tpop. We sure appreciate hearing your thoughts on this debate!