Individuals with pets or young children at home have received an important advisory. Consumer advocacy group Which? has highlighted a widespread habit that may be increasing the risk of illness for many.

Using a post on the social media platform X, these experts advised that a few simple changes can significantly reduce this risk. So, what should be avoided? They posed a provocative question: “Would you intentionally smear dog poop on your living room floor? If not, why walk around your house in your shoes?”

The group elaborated, explaining that research has found the average shoe sole harbors over 400,000 bacteria, including E. coli, commonly found in feces. They noted that 96% of shoes tested contained various coliform bacteria, and while not all are harmful, there’s a significant chance that germs from outside are being tracked into homes.

The Mirror previously highlighted findings from the University of Arizona, revealing that 96% of shoe soles carried coliform bacteria, with about 27% housing E. coli, a bacterium linked to gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections.

Another study recorded an average of 421,000 bacteria units on a typical shoe’s exterior, with up to 99% of these transferring to clean floors after just a few steps.

Homes with children or pets face even greater risks, as these environments are more likely to encounter these germs or introduce new contaminants. Which? emphasized, “Babies and toddlers crawling on floors are particularly prone to picking up harmful bacteria, leading to potential serious illness. Let’s also consider the potential damage.”

“Shoes grind dirt into carpet fibres and scratch up wooden floors, costing you a lot of money in the long run. Even your pets aren’t innocent – those paws are tracking in dirt and bacteria from the outside world too.”

So what can you do? The experts say that people should:

• Remove shoes at the door: Establish a rule that everyone, including guests, leaves their shoes at the entrance.

• Provide slippers: Keep a set of slippers available by the door for guests who don’t want to walk barefoot.

• Wipe pet paws: Get into the habit of cleaning your pet’s paws every time they come inside, particularly after rainy or muddy walks.

• Clean floors regularly: Maintain a consistent schedule for cleaning your floors to keep the home hygienic.