5 MINUTES OF CARING

THURSDAY, JAN. 3, 2008

Leave your Shoes at the Door By Michelle Andrade

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Imagine what you and your kids pick up as you journey around this beautiful planet, from school to work to the park to the museum.
Germs, allergens and toxins can be tracked into the home through those grimy shoes, so leave them at the door today. It will reduce the amount of exposure to outside elements (especially for those who still spend time one the floor more often) and needed cleaning for your floors (less work, water, energy, and harmful toxins). You can also try a good doormat or enforce a no-shoe policy in the house.

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Kathy commented on Thursday, January 3, 2008 7:20 a.m.
We have a no-shoe policy in the house and it definitely makes a differnce in the amount of cleaning I have to do. We've made it a little more fun for the kids by giving them each their own shoe basket in the garage to deposit their shoes before coming inside. The baskets are colorful and have their names on them, so we never have to spend time searching for a matching pair of shoes in the morning.
Corinne commented on Friday, January 4, 2008 4:56 a.m.
Love Kathy's further suggestion....we've had a shoes off at the door policy for quite some time, but the pile in the doorway was becoming daunting!
Katie commented on Saturday, January 5, 2008 8:57 a.m.
We have done this for many years and when we moved to Europe we found that it is quite common to do this. One home I went to offered me a selection of warm indoor footwear so that my toes would be well cared for on a cooler evening. Since then I try to have a basket with an assortment of woolen socks, felted slippers, etc. so that guests in my own home can feel welcome and cozy too.
Elyn commented on Saturday, January 5, 2008 1:46 p.m.
Corinne,
I know what you mean about the pileup of shoes by the door.
We solve that by cleaning the bottoms of the shoes which are worn less frequently every week and then put them in the closets. The shoes that are worn daily stay by the door. Anybody have other sugesstions?
Deb commented on Saturday, January 5, 2008 2:18 p.m.
My son and his wife started the "shoes at the door" policy after they had their first baby. When visiting, I watched their dog go outside, walk in circles, urinate, walk in the same area, urinate more, and then make a nice little brown pile. The dog was then allowed inside. Are shoes/boots the only thing that brings in germs, toxins and bacteria?
Michelle commented on Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:53 p.m.
Elyn,
We like to take our shoes off at the door, then carry them to their appropriate location. I hope to wear my shoes less and less in the house because sometimes I forget. I think I might brainstorm some about what I could do differently to get them off and not have a pile at the door (since we do not enter our house through a garage).

Deb,
I have some great wipes we use for our dog. Here are some I found: http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplies/dog/clean-up/wipes/102516.asp. Animals can bring in just as many toxins and bacteria as our shoes. Thanks for bringing that up because I think I need to start using my wipes more!
Linda Clark commented on Monday, July 20, 2009 1:40 p.m.
I so agree with this. Alot of people think I'm crazy for enforcing this rule but I think its necessary. I recently bought a <a href="http://www.forlifeproducts.com/coco-mats.php"> coco mat</a> as well to trap dirt on shoes before they take it off inside my home

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