In many countries, taking off your shoes before entering the house is a widely spread custom, although in Spain it is not as deep-rooted. But more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of this hygiene habit, leaving their shoes in the hall of their home and even asking their guests to do the same.
The truth is that walking around the house with street shoes is very unhygienic. But not only because of the dust, mud or other remains of dirt that we carry on the soles of our shoes, but you will also be introducing countless bacteria into your home that could put your health at risk.
According to a study conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, the soles of our shoes contain 421,000 bacteria, while 2,887 are found inside the shoe. Among the bacteria found in this research, Escherichia coli stood out, which causes intestinal and urinary tract infections, meningitis and diarrheal diseases, and Klebsiella pneumonia, which causes wound and bloodstream infections, as well as pneumonia, among other bacteria.
Another investigation, published in the National Library of Medicine, concluded that shoe soles contain a percentage of the Clostridium difficile bacteria than household toilets and bathrooms. This bacteria, especially resistant to many household cleaning products, can cause diarrhea and other intestinal infections such as colitis.
To this we must add the findings of a study published by Microbiome Journal, which highlights that the microbes in footwear have a notable impact on the floor of the home.
As if that were not enough, when we go out on the street we step on certain waste without being barely aware. Such as animal urine and feces, as well as chemicals used in street cleaning or spilled by people after cleaning their homes or businesses. We also drag pollution, oil spilled from vehicles or even food remains that we have stepped on without realizing it on the soles of our shoes.
All this dirt and bacteria proliferate on the soles of our shoes, which we do not clean as frequently as other items of clothing. And, therefore, it inevitably ends up on the floor of our house, no matter how much you rub your feet against the doormat when you arrive. For all these reasons, it is advisable that you and your cohabitants acquire the habit of removing your shoes before entering the house. In this regard, we must be especially careful in homes with immunosuppressed people or small children of crawling age, who also tend to constantly put their hands in their mouths.
