Shoes - How can I get my guests to remove their shoes at my front door?

How can I get my guests to remove their shoes at my front door?

I am extremely germ-phobic and the thought of germy shoes on my beautifully clean off-white carpets makes me ill. I don't know why people don't automatically remove their shoes once they've stepped into my home. None of us have our shoes on, the carpets are off-white, and you can clearly see the shoes lined up by the front door. Would it be rude to ask people to remove their dirty shoes or is there another subtle hint I can drop without offending anyone?

Public Comments

As soon as they walk in, say, "Feel free to leave your shoes at the door." Hopefully, they'll get it.
Put a sign up saying Shoes Here where you want them to place their shoes. If they don't get that hint just go 'ach-hem' and point at the sign.
just ask them if they could take off their shoes. it isn't rude
put a little carpet inside infront of the door, or leave a bunch of your shoes next to the door so everyone will see. and walk to the door with your shoes off so everyone will see and realize. otherwise....... idk lol.
lol just tell them, it wont hurt anyone! would u be offened if someone said, "hey, can you put ur shoes over there?" didnt think so :) go for it.
My friend tells people to, so why not??? It's your home, they should respect that...or maybe a sign posted...but you should be able to ask them to remove their shoes
By cheap slippers in different sizes and keep them in a decorative bin by the door so when guests come over they can take their shoes off and put the slippers on.
Just ask them to remove their shoes. Maybe you could have disposable slippers or socks that they could wear if they choose to.
just tell them, say i have white carpet that will show any stains would you mind taking your shoes off. i got new carpet in my house a few years ago, i told my sisters (who come over every week) ahead of time that once my new carpet is in no shoes on the rug, well only 1 of the 3 has abided by the rule and it really pisses me off.
Have a bunch of shoes sitting by the entry---That kind of is a subtle hint. Also---wear socks inside as well. The host and/or hostess set the stage.
Not everyone is so fussy, carpets are meant to be cleanable. But you can put a rubber mat or shoe tray by the door. Offer guests knitted or paper booties as used in hospitals.
I don't think its rude or crazy to want people to take off their shoes. Just ask, or if thats not your thing have an obviously placed shoe rack and if you are coming in at the same time always take your shoes off right away. They'll get the hint.
You could also put some old rugs on top of your new carpets where you think the most walking will be on that day. My family does that often. Especially in the winter months so we don't damage the rugs with salt & dirt. ps. If you have a senior citizen showing up. I would be careful with that one. They do need support on their feet. Plus its hard for them to remove and put on shoes.
I don't know why people don't do this, we've always left our shoes at the door as well. Perhaps they have dirty socks or no socks and gross feet, and are embarassed? At any rate, I usually just ask them, if they start to step away after I open the door "oh, could you please leave your shoes here?" Some people might complain, but they are the ones who should be embarrassed about wanting to dirty the floor, not you.. it's not rude. If you want to cut down on having to ask, I've seen some decorative signs that some people put in the entryway where the shoes are, saying "please leave shoes here." I don't think an explanation is necessary. (However, don't make a bunch of paper signs with writing scrawled on them directing people where to leave their shoes... I've seen that too and it just looks tacky... it looks like you put it up just for that particular visit. A permanent decorative piece saying that is not offensive though).
post a sign on door
just say please with some words.
No it's not rude, I have gone to people homes where they told me to remove my shoes and I understood, I was not offended at all. Just come out and say it "No shoes in the house". Good Luck.
Off white carpet is sooo 70's... And is usually NOT used at an entryway...so gauche!
Your house ,your rules................ there is no problem in that. My landlord is finicky about shoes in his home too, so he bought a comical shoe rack with a cute Dachshund dog saying " this is not track meet....... take off your shoes!!" Maybe try a specialty store so you can get the shoe rack too! Comedy always eases things.
u need ta tell dem nicely dat when u walk in make sure u take off your shoes and carry dem to your rooms so da carpet don t get dirty dats wat i wuld say and since u r sayin dat u need ta add whether or not u live in a house or u work at a hotel or wat cuz i dont kno where u r talkn bout
Just politely ask them to take their shoes off. It isn't rude. Many people take their shoes off at the door. Have a sign if you want, but make it something a little subtle such as "Thank you for leaving your shoes here."
No it's not rude at all, it's your home and if people want to stay and visit you they should conform to your rules. Especially with carpets that light people should respect your home and gladly comply.
Post a sign by your door and provide inside slippers for them to use.
My aunt posted a wooden sign at her door. The painted words ask visitors to please remove their shoes. It's a cute sign. There's a picture of something painted on it, but I can't remember what it is...flowers maybe.
Tell your guests in advance that you expect them to take off their shoes at the front door. That way, they'll wear good socks and not feel ambushed. You're doing the right thing by having your shoes lined up by the door. That's a good hint. Don't wear slippers or house shoes when entertaining. Walk around in your socks, so that your guests feel comfortable doing the same. If all else fails, just ask.
GROSS! they have more foot germs n fungus that shoes!! put a shoe cleaner there- n keep those stinky dogs in their shoes!!
My friend and now have a sign outside of our door that says please remove your shoes inside, there are some people though you prob. would not want to remove their shoes, if they were to have athletes foot or anything it would get on your carpet.. but to solve that i use a foot fungal powder on my carpet 2 times a week
put up a sign saying all guests have to take off those smelly shoes and put them in the closet ( also use lots of Lysol)
Hi, Bob Evans restaurant sells a wood plaque that says "Please Remove your Shoes or help wash the floors" Or just put a sign on the door that says "welcome to our home, please remove your shoes" have a bench or chair there to make taking on and off shoes easy! I do it. My carpets are white too! I also have used carpet shield from Lowes for parties in the high traffic areas.. Laura www.lauradellutri.com
it is not rude at all to ask your guests to remove their shoes. explain that it is what you/your family do and that it help in keeping your light colored carpet clean. also a few cute little signs saying to remove your shoes wouldnt hurt.
their feet could be dirtier but in any case be direct and ask them in a polite tone to leave shoes outside or where ever you want them to. There is another way you can place a shoes stand where you want and before entering you should remove your shoes ( a demo)and place them on the stand, cause actions apeak louder than words.
Someone has really asked almost the same question and this is the suggestion I gave them, So it might help you out too :) I agree and understand your problem and your husband is not wrong either. It really sounds sorta rude to ask someone to take their shoes off. WE CAN"T HELP IT. I can remember when years back my mom was facing the same problem and I can still remember her SHOUTING after guests had left lolz.. ( she loved every decoration piece of hers).. So what she did was, she took out the print saying " please take off your shoes outside and make yourselves comfortable at our home " You know very nicely she stated that on the enterance door .... all guests understood, laughed and shared and said.. ''Nice way to say that.''
kindly ask them to do so, Most people shoudn't get offended... It is better for your carpet. Though if your a germ aphobic, hard wood floors would be better for you than carpet.
no be true full to them
I would just tell them. I'm assuming most people are comming over because they are friends or family.I don't think they would be offended. If they know you ,and the way you are about germs I'm surprised they don't do it automatically!