My mom is Asian and it is one of their customs to take off your shoes before you enter someone's home. It is not something that people do here in the United States and it is not something she really pushes too much on us to do. My son and daughter like it because they would rather be barefoot anyway.

Well, here are five reasons that you should be talking off your shoes before you go into your house.

1. It's cleaner, obviously. And this is the main reason people do it. The less dirt you track in, the less you have to clean.

2. Wearing shoes ruins your carpet. And that's even if your shoes are not dirty. Walking on a carpet in shoes messes it up faster than walking in socks or bare feet.

3. Shoes are covered in bacteria. A recent study at the University of Arizona found  bacteria on people's shoes, including E. coli and meningitis.

4. Shoes are also covered in toxins, like pesticides and herbicides. Especially if you've been in a garden. But even if you just walked across someone's yard, watch out.

5. It's better for your feet. For most people, walking around without shoes makes your arches stronger.

And, it can also relieve stress because taking your shoes off when you get home subconsciously tells you it's time to relax. (Treehugger)

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