For a greener home, TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES!

In this world, there are many cultures in which people remove their shoes when they get home. It is also a sign of respect for one to take their own shoes off when visiting the homes in which this is practiced. The transition from outdoors to indoors is not only cultural, it also has practical implications as well as symbolic of treating the home as a sacred place.

In applying this to creating a green home, removing shoes is a way to not only cut back on the cleaning of your floors, but it also avoids tracking in outdoor dirt, pollutants, pesticides, germs, fungicides chemicals and even animal feces into your living space. Did you ever think that you could actually bring all of that into your home?

In our home we have a rule, no matter who you are, your shoes come off at the front door and you leave them there. It is kind of like washing your hands before you eat, or covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. It just seems like common sense that shoes worn outdoors should not be worn indoors. We walk around barefoot, in slippers, socks, or a special pair of sneakers reserved for indoor use only. Especially if your house has any form of carpeting, in which outdoor shoes can rub all sorts of nasty stuff off the soles of your shoes and accumulate, no matter how religiously you vaccum.

This is one of the simplest steps with which we can reduce pollutants in the home environment, so it makes sense. It also adds a nice change of pace in your day by adding the recognition that you are stepping into a different aspect of your life, your home.

It may feel a tad bit uncomfortable to request that guests take their shoes off. You can suggest to your guests that you live with this custom by having a clear place to store shoes. We have a big welcome mat so that everyone can step in to take their shoes off. The mat can easily be picked up and cleaned. We also keep a boot tray out where we keep our shoes.

Having a specific area not only lets your guests know that you have a shoeless home, it also can create a feeling of being able to strip off the days stresses!

Even in the times when you have the occassional plumber or any worker come into your home with dirty dingy workboots, you have every right to request that they wear booties over their boots. It's usually the policy of most service companies to keep a supply of booties, but since they are usually not requested, most workers do not wear them.

In the end, whether it is due to cultural tradition, trying to save the planet or for the health of your own family and home, why not kick off your shoes? It will not only destress you, your health will also thank you.