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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ban the wearing of shoes in our house?

118 replies

EagleRay · 25/04/2015 00:36

I've just spent the last 3 nights up until the early hours repainting the living room floor (it's white and because it's a basement room and lacking in light, I painted it white a few years ago - this was when I was single, idealistic and didn't have a DP and DD!). It hadn't been painted for a few years and looked really grubby plus had suffered a few knocks and scrapes.

It looks really good now and much cleaner than it was, but it opens out onto the garden and so won't be long now before dirt starts being traipsed back in along with DP's bikes as apparently the lounge is a really good place to take them apart

Just been thinking about how nice it would be if we went shoeless in the house - think the rest of the house would benefit too as it's mostly wood floors. Has anyone else started leaving shoes off and noticed a difference?

I had to drink a fair bit of wine to get all that painting done - perhaps I will go off the idea by tomorrow when I've sobered up Smile

OP posts:
LondonLady29 · 25/04/2015 20:44

It's fine to go barefoot indoors or no shoes the only time I wouldn't do it in my house is if I have guests over for a formal evening thing as women may be wearing skirts/ dresses. In that case I'd make an exception but that wouldn't be very often.

2old2beamum · 25/04/2015 21:03

Have a slight problem here, 2 DC's are in wheelchairs sadly can't take wheels off regardless of what crap they have been through!!

threenotfour · 25/04/2015 21:20

We have a shoes off on the mat and put on the shoe rack rule for people who live in the house. We have a jokey sign on the front door which says rules ... states no boots to pass the threshold. Everyone chuckles and then most take their shoes off. I have made it clear to all 4 parents who visit regularly that I would like them to take their shoes off. This is mainly because they have been the cuprits of loads of mud through the lounge carpet (FIL) and on to DS's new bedroom carpet!! (DM) Angry
I have shoe racks with space, a small bench by the front door and a large mat so I think it's obvious what I would like. However I do not ask people to remove their shoes as I would not embarass a guest in that way.

Almostapril · 25/04/2015 22:53

I grew up in a shoes on house so not precious about it. However my DC are the very muddy shoes / wellies / footy boots / outdoors type so they have been trained to leave shoes in the hall. We all have indoor shoes / crocs / slippers. It's much easier to keep clean as mud gets left at the door. Most people take off when they come in but I dont get wound up if not. I always respect people's houses and offer to take shoes off when visiting

PoppyField · 25/04/2015 23:45

Does anyone remember an early episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm with a couple who insist people take their shoes off in their house. It's called 'Porno Bill' and it's very very funny!

Silverdaisy · 26/04/2015 00:00

eagleray thanks for the paint info. Did you put any varnish on top ?

I think a painted floor can look lovely. But I will depend on the volume of traffic crossing it.

Mamiof3 · 26/04/2015 00:02

Guests I don't mind keeping shoes on, close friends and family normally slip them off to be comfy so they can curl up on the sofa etc. do people really walk round their houses in chunky boots/heels whatever, for hours on end? Obv you might just nip upstairs or into the kitchen to grab something etc when you're on your way out or something, but do you really sit upright watching tv or eating tea at the table with your shoes on??!!

Original poster
EagleRay · 26/04/2015 00:05

No - just a couple of coats of the floor paint (think must have been an undercoat too).

It's lasted pretty well I guess - worst assaults have been from stair carpet fitters spilling glue all over it which was a bastard to get off plus years ago a lodger's gf walked over it (and rest of house) in v spiky stilettos and left a trail of bullet holes. Plus the bike stuff too.

OP posts:
Mamiof3 · 26/04/2015 00:06

Why is he taking bikes apart INSIDE??!!! Shock

Silverdaisy · 26/04/2015 00:09

I do. I often forget that I am wearing shoes. Slippers are quite horrible. People dragging their feet around the house, to me sounds like an extra from a zombie film.

Silverdaisy · 26/04/2015 00:14

Thanks eagleray, I will be trying it out.

PinguForPresident · 26/04/2015 00:19

We weren't a shoes-off house when I was growing up. I always feel that a blanket "shoes-off" policy indicates caring more about the state of one's floors than the comfort of one's guests, which isn't something I'd want people to feel about me or my house.

AuntieDee · 26/04/2015 10:14

Pingu - it's about the usually one person who is left to clean up everyone else's mess. Why should one person be responsible for scrubbing the floor so other people don't have to bother taking their shoes off can be lazy gets

Marynary · 26/04/2015 10:45

We never wear shoes in the house and I think it is easier to keep clean because of this. I don't aske guests to remove their shoes but I've noticed that the majority of my friends and children's friends do (perhaps because they do the same in their house).

We didn't remove shoes in the house when I was a child but I have noticed that my parents wear "house shoes" indoors nowadays as I think they have also decided it saves on cleaning.

SnowyPiglet · 26/04/2015 11:03

Yes, I think it's weird that people can relax around the house, watch TV, & go upstairs into bedrooms/bathrooms etc still with outdoor shoes on. Feet get horrid with shoes on all day, it's a relief to take them off, surely! We all (the family) take shoes off when we come in, leave them in the boot room, and put either slippers or house shoes on instead. Normal behaviour I would say. Of course if we have a party or guests round, they can keep shoes on. Lots of people volunteer to take them off though. Some bring house shoes to put on. Simples!

Rooseen · 26/04/2015 12:45

I grew up in a shoes off house hold. My mums house was/is very clean never had filthy socks! As for the people who are saying about sweaty feet/verrucas, surely most people wash and put clean socks?

My friends with shoes on houses aren't the cleanest, my friends with shoes off house are definitely cleaner. We are a shoes off house, husband is foreign and its the norm. I don't ask people to take their shoes off, but everyone does. my floors are very clean, with little effort.

TheNewStatesman · 26/04/2015 12:51

We are a shoes-off household (we live in Japan).

The only thing I would say is: if you live in a culture where shoes-off is not universal, you should give prior warning to anyone who has significant orthopedic issues and needs to wear orthopedic shoes at all times to ensure comfort (in cultures where shoes-off is universal, such people carry a clean spare indoor pair of orthopedic shoes with them if they know they need to remove shoes somewhere, or carry slip cover things that they can place over their outdoor shoes).

TooBusyByHalf · 26/04/2015 13:01

Really ban them totally? YABU
Asking kids, people who've been on a country walk etc to take their shoes off ? Fine of course.
It's all about what's proportionate.
I wouldn't ask an adult guest to take off shoes and would trust them to do it without being asked if they were muddy.

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