Do you make guests take shoes off?

8 years ago

We've just had some lovely oak flooring installed and I want to ask all guests to remove heeled shoes so as not to damage the floor. Was thinking of getting a basket of slippers to leave by our front door.. Would you use them if you were a guest?

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8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi Claire, I will answer your question in the most straight forward manner - NO, I would not use used slippers provided by anyone and would much rather walk bare feet or in socks. This is for simple hygiene reasons (fungus), but I know that many people don't mind and actually ask for slippers, so it is a good idea to have a basket of slippers, but please do wash them frequently.

As to asking guests to take their shoes off, you should absolutely do so! Heels will ruin your floor leaving small dents everywhere leading to a very awkward situation, so never ever let anyone even if just for a second walk in heels on your floor. Wearing shoes inside of the property is just a big no no in my books. Footwear that is used outside has a ton of bacteria (including fecal) on their soles and should never be allowed inside, so please do yourself a favour and have this golden rule in your home - no outdoor shoes inside, full stop.

Congratulations on the floor, oak is and always will be beautiful. I hope it will server you for the next 20 years before you have to do anything with it.

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Comments (16)

Heather Welsh
8 years ago
My flat had very pale cream carpets and all guests happily took off shoes at the door usually without being asked. I have several friends who ask guests to remove shoes at the door but haven't been offered slippers before. I wouldn't want to borrow slippers myself for worry of who else has worn them even if they look clean but I guess some people might think it's a nice idea
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tamp75
8 years ago
Yes we always did in our last house. In fact most people seem to do it out of courtesy anyway. In our home now (mid - renovation) we've had to ask people to keep their shoes on as it's often been muckier inside than out! :-o Hopefully that will change in the very near future as we're hitting the final stages.
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8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
tamp75 properties that are under refurbishment are an exception and shoes should be absolutely allowed for H&S reasons ;)

It is refreshing to see that most people do take their shoes off when coming to someones house. I think this is just pure manners and you can yell at me all you want, but those who don't take their shoes off just lack the basic etiquette and should be gently educated ;)
marco69
8 years ago
I wouldn't wear the guest slippers. Obviously I would take my shoes off as it's polite and comfortable etc. I Would bring slippers to wear and that is what most people do when visiting me house.

We have a combination of wooden floors and carpet and the floors are cold and slippery. It's sensible to wear slippers on them.
Cakelady
8 years ago
Definitely ask guests to remove their shoes. My friend had her beautiful wood floor ruined by someone wearing stiletto heels on it! I thought it was common courtesy to remove you shoes in someone's house, however I find that some people think that because I can wash my laminate floor they shouldn't need to remove their shoes. Also if they wear shoes in their own house they wouldn't think about taking them off in mine. Drives me mad as it is sometimes awkward asking visitors to take their shoes off. I'm getting new floors soon and I thought of having a basket of slippers too, however reading the comments so far I think I might not bother.
Norren Bird
7 years ago
I only expect guests to be comfortable and would never ask them to remove shoes. I have oak flooring and tiles on my ground floor and both are hard-wearing and look great. My only exception is muddy wellies! Let's not get too precious, your house is your home.
tamp75
7 years ago
@ Norren Bird - I would echo your sentiment, your house is your home, and for that very reason I would ask guests to remove their shoes. Yes, I want guests to be comfortable and don't want to be too precious about my house (accidents happen) but if I've worked hard to make my home comfortable & clean for my family, I don't want other people coming in making the floors dirty where my children play or ruining our hard work.
House Bunny
7 years ago
My cat comes in with filthy paws (and dirty coat occasionally when she has rolled around outside) and walks everywhere (including on top of kitchen counters and furniture), so I don't see the point about being precious with people and shoes.

Obviously if the shoes are muddy I would expect the shoes to be removed, but otherwise I'm not bothered - particularly with people who struggle with their shoes (arthritis, etc).

I always offer to remove my shoes in other peoples homes.
House Bunny
7 years ago
I'm happy walking around in my socks. I don't think I'd use a slipper from a slipper basket. If I had my own dedicated slippers at someone's house, I might wear those. I don't wear slippers in my own home though.
ianthy
7 years ago
I think most people take off their shoes especially when entering homes with pale coloured carpets. With flooring - not so sure and certainly I would not wear the slippers on offer. I am just about to replace my stair carpet after the builders has left and will be placing a small box of the blue plastic shoes at the bottom of the stairs if someone needs to pop upstairs and does not wish to remove their shoes.
User
7 years ago
Couldn't agree more with tamp! :)
Farah
7 years ago
We have a small note on our front door, inside the porch saying,' please remove your shoes, ' and that's enough for guests to know before they knock.

My mum had new Lino fitted once in her kitchen once and a young lady came in , walked all over it in her stilettos and left holes all over it. Had to be replaced all over again!
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Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello Claire,

I actually think asking people to remove their shoes is rather uncivilised and not the "done thing" so nothing to do with education and definitely not a lack of etiquette, rather the reverse I dare say.. .. People often ask when coming here as I have painted floor boards and it's possibly some new air of politeness but the offer should be graciously refused..

I always say "no don't worry at all but thank you"..... For me it's a bit like telling people they can't smoke or something, even if you don't like it.. I am rather loath to the fusser in the home, and I don't want to appear that way as I personally find it lacks sophistication. It's definitely not welcoming.

I am though extremely particular nonetheless, manners are everything! .... Of course people will make their own choice about their homes and that is their right... For those in kitten heels,stiletto's tip toe on "soft wood" would be the foot forward!

I would say to you, do what you think is best for you. : ))
Farah
7 years ago
We don't ask them verbally, and a lot of the times guests will ask us if they need to remove their shoes and we just say it's ok, although we do have a polite written notice on the door and so I do think it's rude that guests should ask. I always remove my shoes in people's houses. Shoes are for outdoors and full of dirt and bacteria which I'd rather not have spread throughout my home.
cherrytop
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I never ask guests to take their shoes off but they always seem to take them off without being asked and I really appreciate it, so I'm lucky in that sense but if they don't, I will ask them to do so because I have a wool rug which was a bit out of my budget & want to keep it looking the way it is for a long time! I think sometimes, the inside of a home, (its surroundings), is just enough to tell you if it is a shoes on or off, kinda place. I agree with farveena's last sentence, shoes are for outdoors.....

Do you make guests take shoes off?

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Heather Welsh

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