12-07-2025
EXCLUSIVE The REAL damage you are doing if you walk around your home with shoes on like Carrie Bradshaw
In a recent episode of And Just Like That, Carrie Bradshaw found herself at the center of a hotly debated controversy: do shoes belong indoors?
Carrie's introduction to the issue came when the downstairs neighbor at her Gramercy Park apartment in New York complained about the noise of her infamous Manolo Blahniks on the hardwood floor.
But courtesy for neighbors aside, a large subsect of people would criticize Carrie's shoes in the home for an entirely different reason.
It's a germaphobe's nightmare.
Even Carrie's friend Charlotte York pointed out that going barefoot in the home, or at least wearing house slippers, is far more sanitary.
But there's no reason to take a fictional character's word for it, doctors and cleaning experts agree that a no-shoe household is the best way to go.
According to Brandon Pleshek, an internet personality, janitor, and self-proclaimed 'clean freak', Carrie's neighbor might just be right, for all of the wrong reasons.
He told Daily Mail: 'Wearing shoes inside your home can track in a surprising amount of dirt, bacteria, and outdoor grime.
'Everything from pesticides to E. coli has been found on the soles of shoes.'
Especially if you're walking on the streets of Manhattan like Carrie Bradshaw herself, dirt and germ build up can settle on your floors and expose you to all manner of illnesses.
According to Cleveland Clinic, most shoes have millions of bacteria on them. If they are worn inside, that bacteria can live on your floors for days.
Common shoe germs can cause diarrhea, colitis, and even life-threatening infections.
Pleshek recommended that guests take their shoes off too. In another famous episode of Sex and the City, Carrie was forced to take her shoes off at a friend's house where someone else then walked away with her $500 footwear.
But, that may just be a risk worth taking from a cleanliness standpoint.
'Asking guests to remove their shoes helps keep floors cleaner, especially carpets and rugs that trap dirt and allergens,' Pleshek said.
'Most people are understanding once they know it's about keeping your space clean.'
Experts say that dirty shoes track in more than just bacteria. Lead is commonly found on the soles. The heavy metal can affect the brain, nerves, and vital organs, especially in babies and young children. Lead can be found in old buildings with lead based paint. The paint slowly chips off overtime and becomes dust.
Dr. Daniel Sullivan, an internal medicine physician, said: 'You can walk through this dust without knowing it and bring it into your house on your shoes.
'The dust can easily make its way into a child's mouth if they're playing on the floor.'
Seasonal allergens like grass and pollen can be tracked in on shoes as well. If you notice your allergy symptoms are especially bad despite tactics to fight them, that could be why.
If you, like Carrie Bradshaw, must take shoes into your home, Pleshek said that a doormat is a great 'first line of defense'.
'Having one outside and another inside can help cut down on how much dirt and debris makes it through the door,' he said.
'Just make sure they're large enough to actually wipe your feet on and clean them regularly so they don't end up doing more harm than good.'
Having a designated pair of house slippers or shoes is also a good option for maintaining cleanliness indoors. Pleshek said they prevent wear and tear on hardwood floors and protect your feet.
While keeping outdoor shoes off outside is the best way to maintain a clean environment, unfortunately for Carrie's neighbor there is an argument to be made for sporting footwear in the house.
According to Time, going barefoot on hard floors can be bad for your feet. Unlike carpet, they don't allow for any padding or shock absorption. That kind of repetitive pressure on the soles can lead to serious health issues.
Metatarsalgia, for example, is inflammation that causes pain on the bottom of the foot, and can even migrate to the hips, knees, and back.
There's also an increased risk of stubbing, scraping, or tripping in your home while barefoot which if done repeatedly can take a toll.
According to podiatric surgeon Dr. Nicole Brouyette, not just any Manolos, Jimmy Choos, or Louboutins will do for indoor footwear.
Not only that, but stilettoes like Carrie's can cause severe damage to hardwood floors. It can create dents, scuffs, and scratches and even cause damage to the heels themselves.
Unlike Carrie's famous high heels, shoes worn in the house should be sturdy and supportive with a spacious fit. Designating house shoes and outdoor shoes can be a simple way to get the best of both worlds.
Unfortunately, Carrie didn't see it that way when her neighbor passive-aggressively gifted her a pair of slippers, but she did agree to put down some rugs.
