How To Get People To Take Their Shoes Off At The Door

A guest steps just inside your door, looks at your bare feet, and asks if they should take their shoes off. Awkward! If you say yes, you feel aggressive and demanding, but you also don’t enjoy cleaning your floors. So, how do you get people to take their shoes off at the door, without feeling weird?

We moved from a 1,969-square-foot home into a 1,200-square-foot apartment for 6 months, and then into a 3,800-square-foot home. You guys! That’s a lot of floor to clean, and I’m a little bit lazy when it comes to cleaning the house. Don’t get me wrong, our house is clean, but I look for ways to keep it clean longer so I don’t have to clean as often.

One of the ways I attempt to keep the floors clean is by having a No Shoes House!

1) Take Your Own Shoes Off

Seriously! I know it’s your home, but if you expect guests to take off their shoes, you can’t have your shoes on.

2) Leave Shoes At The Door

We normally keep our shoes organized in the coat closet, but when guests are expected, I like to leave a few pairs by the front door. Shoes beget shoes. Leave shoes by the door and watch the pile grow.

Of course, keeping shoes by the door is easier when they have a designated place to go. One of the things I’ve learned about getting organized once and for all is that it’s much easier to keep a space organized when everything has a home that makes sense.

3) Provide Shoe Covers

We recently checked out the Portland Street of Dreams and, boy, those houses were nice. Of course, most of the homes required shoe covers before entry. The funny thing is, we saw a lady walking on the street with her shoe covers on. I think that defeats the whole purpose.

Perhaps your guest has smelly feet or holy socks. A small basket full of shoe covers will be a nice option for them. Just be sure to let them know your house is not for sale!

4) Put Socks In A Basket

A basket with a few new pairs of cozy socks may be inviting enough to get your guests to take their shoes off. They don’t need to be expensive. Buy a pack at Costco or check out the Dollar Tree.

5) Place A Bench Or Chair By The Door

A few of us might have lost the ability to stand like a flamingo while wrangling a shoe. A comfy chair will help your guest take off their shoes and keep your floors cleaner longer!

If you have room, create a designated spot by the door where guests can sit and leave their shoes. We turned a coat closet into a mudroom, which is a great way to make an entryway work harder.

6) Tell Guests Before They Visit

When you invite guests over, let them know you are a no-shoes house so they can come well prepared wearing their cutest socks.

7) Ask Nicely

Once in a while, even the strategically placed pile of shoes doesn’t give a big enough hint. In that case, a friendly, “Would you mind leaving your shoes at the door?” is usually enough. There’s no need for a long explanation about how you have little kids who play on the floor or your teenager has OCD.

8) Find A Fun Sign To Put By The Door

From doormats to silly signs, you can get the message across without saying a single word.

I have created a few 8.5″ x 11″ signs to help.

Get Your No Shoes House Printable Here!

Place one of these No Shoes House Printables in an 8-1/2 x 11″ frame and place it strategically by the front door.

Why Have A No-Shoes House?

Shoes walk through parking lots, public restrooms, sidewalks, dirt, mud, and who knows what else. It’s best to leave whatever they’ve picked up at the door rather than to track it across your floors. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends using doormats and taking shoes off at home to reduce dirt and contaminants from tracking in.

Frequently Asked Questions