Shoes off or unnecessary step to take?

CITY SCIENTIST GIVES HER VIEW

- By LISA SALMON, PA

FOOD debris, skin cells, animal faecal droppings, insects, pollen, bacteria, fungi, viruses and mould spores are just some of the dirt found buried in carpets, a city microbiologist has explained.

Dr Primrose Freestone, below, an associate professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, was one of two experts asked her views on whether guests should be asked to take their shoes off before they enter your home.

There are those who believe taking shoes off is necessary to keep homes more hygienic, and those who think it's an unnecessary step.

Alex Heslop, trend expert at Flooring Superstore, points out TikTok searches for "no shoe household" were up 39 per cent in the past month alone.

She said reasons for taking your shoes off when entering a home can depend on culture, geography, household rules, and personal preferences. "Some people see it as a sign of respect, as well as a way to keep homes cleaner. On the other hand, others may find it more comfortable to keep shoes on."