If you ever stepped foot inside an Asian household, then you probably know that shoes are not allowed inside the home.
Shoes are expected to be removed before entering homes for hygienic reasons. The amount of dirt and bacteria discovered on the bottom of shoes are disgusting.
Research On Bacteria Found On Shoes
There is around 421,000 different types of bacteria can be found on shoes, according to a 2008 study by the University of Arizona. Out of the shoes examined during the study, 96% of them had coliforms, this is also found in the feces of humans and warm-blooded animals.
In addition, 27% of the shoes were found to have E. coli along with several types of bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae being one of them, which is a type of bacteria that causes urinary tract infections. Another type of bacteria found on shoes was Serratia ficaria, a bacteria that causes respiratory infections.
Study author Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, explained:
“The common occurrence (96%) of coliform and E. coli bacteria on the outside of the shoes indicates frequent contact with fecal material, which most likely originates from floors in public restrooms or contact with animal fecal material outdoors. Our study also indicated that bacteria can be tracked by shoes over a long distance into your home or personal space after the shoes were contaminated with bacteria.”
Germs In Public Bathrooms
Wearing shoes inside the home can lead to a 90-99% chance of transfer of bacteria from dirty shoes to uncontaminated home floors.
If you are not grossed out yet, then listen to this fun fact: public restroom floors have an estimated 2 million bacteria per square inch. However, an average toilet seat has about 50 per square inch.
Kelly Reynolds, who is also a microbiologist and professor at the University of Arizona, said:
“We walk through things like bird droppings, dog waste and germs on public restroom floors, all of which are sources for E. coli.
“Think about rain water in the street. It can have gasoline in it and chemicals, and those get on your shoes and can be brought into your home.”
Repeated exposure to these toxins and chemicals can lead to health related illness.
If you live in a household where shoes are welcomed, then perhaps washing your shoes regularly with detergent will be an solution for you. The University of Arizona study found that cleaning shoes in the washing machine will kill the presence of bacteria by at least 90%.
The Best Solution For You
Floors and carpets should also be disinfected. Certified carpet cleaning companies are able to different solutions, according to how soiled your carpets are.
The best way to keep germs and bacteria out is to keep those shoes out of the house!
Call The Carpet Repair and Cleaning Experts!
Phoenix Carpet Repair and Cleaning offers a variety of carpet cleaning and carpet repair solutions that will keep your carpet will stays in tip top shape for years to come.
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