Anyone have a "no shoes" policy?

Que*Syrah

We are moving in November and our new house has very light carpeting.  We'd like to have a "no shoes" policy to help keep them clean. We had an apartment once with cream carpets and we had to steam clean them a few times and scrub with carpet cleaner to get the high traffic areas clean.

What do you say to people when they come to your door if they're not familiar? Do you have some sort of shoe rack by the front door? I HATE clutter and just cannot stand the idea of a jumble of shoes by the door.

And unfortunately, we can't replace them now.

hero

My friend has a nice, oversized basket next to a bench for people to sit on as they take off their shoes. Another friend has a cute sign next to her door reminding people to remove their shoes. We have a short cabinet with doors that has individual slots (it wasn't originally meant for shoes). When you invite people over, just mention casually, that you would prefer people to take off their shoes.

mir322

We do for our own household and for the most part, visitors take note and also remove their shoes.  But I never ask them to...some folks are just more comfortable wearing shoes than not.  As far as storage, we have a rack inside the entryway closet for less used shoes (but used often enough( and a small rug by the door for shoes we use everyday.  If we have folks coming over, I just remove the shoes from the rug and put them in the closet.  I'm not a fan of clutter, either, but 3-4 pairs of shoes behind the door doesn't bother me.

Daisy77

We have a sign just inside our door asking guests to "please remove their shoes, thanks!"  We also keep our shoes lined up on a rug near the door so it's pretty clear we don't wear ours in the house.

Ilumine

I am a No Shoes person in the house too, but never ask people to remove their shoes.

For the most part, unless you have people over every single day, its not the guests who are creating the problem, but the family's daily use.  So by keeping YOUR shoes off will make the most difference.

Plus, as the host it is my duty to make my guests feel comfortable.  Many people are not comfortable taking their shoes off.  I have extremely stinky feet and while I try to deal with that when I have a pre-arreanged date, if I have an unplanned visit, you are NOT GOING TO WANT my feet unshod. 

Now, for us, we have a wooden shoe cubby hole box my DH made, right in the front hall.  People can see that we have a variety of shoes in there, along with the house slippers.  This is a pretty clear indicator of our policy, so if they are comfy taking off their shoes, they will ask.   

Stacyc625

DH and I always take our shoes off- but we are no shoes kinda people.

We have very light colored rugs (not by choice obviously)- i don't stress over other peoples shoes- unless it is raining or muddy out. Most people see my shoes by the front door and take them off- even though i tell them its totally up to them.

I am just more comfortable that way.

Mc_Newlywed

I am with the other gals here.  We have a nice rug & basket under the coat rack where we drop our shoes (the basket is GREAT for the kiddo's tiny shoes and my flip flops and other small summer shoes).   Most people I know automatically take off their shoes but unless it's wet outside I don't say anything to the ones that don't.  

matt&steph

Most people know to take their shoes off in my house.  If they don't I just casually say, would you please take your shoes off? I have always had this policy, we never walk around the house with our shoes on however before DS came along I would let the rule slide once in a while if we had company.  But now it's everybody takes their shoes off! DS and his toys are all over the floor so I want them as clean a possible.  Your house your rules!

HarrietNJMommy

We don't walk around with shoes either, but I would never ask someone to take their shoes off. I personally find it rude unless it's part of your culture (I know many Asian families do this). It reminds me of the Sex and The City episode where someone stole Carrie's shoes because she was forced to take them off! LOL!

I have all hardwood or tile floors, so I don't make a big deal of it. There are friends that automatically take their shoes off, and others will ask.

Fashiongal1973

I did in my old house because of light carpet. I would ask people who didn't know to remove their shoes. I had a basket of inexpensive slippers next to the door incase people wanted something on their feet. 

DH is not a fan of it so after we got married that went out the window. We have hardwood with rugs and a dog. It isn't such a big deal. I have to clean so much because the dog is in and out constantly. 

axr8111

I hate being asked to remove my shoes. Hate it, unless of course they are wet or dirty in which case I would take them off without being asked. 

ManduhhMommie

We have a no shoes policy and we have tile. Lol. My hubbys boots track in EVERYTHING, so that's how it started. But I love it! We have a large basket next to the door.

jen5-03

No. And I avoid going to the house of the one person I know who is like this.

a) I have a bad back. Wearing shoes with arch supports keeps me from crying in pain at night.

b) Do you want my DH's athlete's feet on your carpet instead?

c) Body oils will make your carpet grungy in the same areas and you'll have to have the carpets steam cleaned.

d) It makes you look anal and annoying to your acquaintences.