09/30/2026
Although, some carpets & flooring now have antimicrobial properties, it's still a good idea to remove your shoes!
Is your home a shoe free zone?
A University of Arizona study found that the average shoe sole carries around 421,000 units of bacteria, including E. coli and other pathogens picked up from public restrooms, sidewalks, and parking lots. 96% of shoe bottoms tested positive for coliform bacteria, and those organisms transfer directly onto home floors with nearly every step.
Carpets can hold those contaminants for weeks. In Japan, South Korea, and most of Scandinavia, removing shoes at the door is simply standard practice. In the US, it is still treated as optional.