Several years ago I was researching asthmatic children and things to do to reduce “triggers” to asthma attacks. One of the things I discovered was that simply taking your shoes off when entering your home can help reduce asthma attacks.
What happens is that as you walk outside your home, your shoes gather all kinds of chemicals – from the grass, from the concrete, from the asphalt, from store floors, etc. Taking your shoes off at the door helps keep all those chemicals and dirt from getting spread all around your house.
With a daughter with asthma, I was more than willing to institute this small change – then, of course I discovered another benefit.
Less shoes in the house meant less dirt and grime spread around the floors. So, I get to sweep and mop less often. Also, I get to vacuum the carpets less often. Most carpet cleaning experts will tell you that much of the wear and tear on carpets is due to dirt getting ingrained in the carpet. Less dirt means less dirt to cause wear and tear.
Less shoes in the house meant less dirt and grime spread around the floors. So, I get to sweep and mop less often. Also, I get to vacuum the carpets less often. Most carpet cleaning experts will tell you that much of the wear and tear on carpets is due to dirt getting ingrained in the carpet. Less dirt means less dirt to cause wear and tear.
Instituting this simple measure meant saving money in several ways:
- Fewer cleaners are needed for mopping.
- Less asthma attacks mean less trips to the doctor, less maintenance medicine, and less ER trips.
- Less wear and tear on the carpets mean they last longer.
- Less electricity from running the vacuum so frequently.
- In addition to saving money, it also saves time – which can mean more time to work on saving money in other areas. I can spend that extra 20 minutes a day researching prices on a big-ticket item, or clipping and organizing coupons, or preparing something from scratch that I would normally buy pre-made.
For those that prefer to wear shoes for comfort for their back or feet – go ahead and invest in an extra pair for wearing in the house. You will find that these will last much longer when you are not wearing them outside.
One final benefit to our “Shoes-off-at-the-door rule”: We have a nice organizer in our entry closet where everyone stores their every day shoes. We never have to search for lost shoes around the house!
Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan, thankful mother to five children, ages newborn to 21 and an author, conference speaker and director of www.homemaking911.com and www.wheat-n-things.com. Visit her site for inspiration, encouragement and practical help in your roles as a godly wife, mother, homemaker or home educator.