Do You Go Shoeless?
I’ve known for years that my shoes, no matter how Jimmy Choo they may be, still tread all kinds of horrors from the street directly into my ostensibly non-toxic home. However, becoming a shoeless home is proving a little problematic. I’ve met with more than a little resistance from my husband, who wasn’t thrilled when I presented him with a pair of orange reflexology thongs immediately upon his return from work. Maybe it was the way I did it—perhaps waving them at him before he’d even stepped out of his car wasn’t quite the best approach—or was it the color? (They were clearly on sale because of the color.) Still, I insisted “they’re eco-friendly and made in the U.S.” I watched in horror as his Nike tennis shoes stomped their way across the living room rug and imagined all the pesticides seeping into the deep pile of my new organic rug, urrrgghh!
It is actually a little alarming when you consider that no matter how pesticide-free your own yard might be, you probably walk through all kinds of toxic horrors on a daily basis. Pesticides are routinely sprayed on many sidewalks and car parks, they run off front yards onto sidewalks, they’re found on parks, playgrounds and just about any area where you see grass. And that is just the pesticide problem; what about oil, dog excrement, chewing gum, spit-up and all the other gross things (I’m sure you can think of a few more) that foul our public pathways? Enough said, but truly, the pesticides are the worst because if you have small children or pets, their little hands/paws (and even mouths!) are very close to the ground.
Pets are another worry. Phoebe, my scraggy dog, comes in from her daily walk, probably caked in pesticides. I really can’t deal with giving her a bath every time we come in the house, so if anyone has any bright ideas on a solution here, you might be set to make a lot of money. I even tried some eco-friendly doggie “boots,” but Phoebe was appalled (think trying to squeeze your dog’s paws into the finger of a rubber glove!).
So, how’s a non-toxic obsessed girl to deal with this “shoeless house” thing in a graceful manner? My eight-year-old daughter is fine running around bare- or sock-footed, but only when she remembers, and I have become something of a nasty nag of late to all members of my long-suffering family (dog included). Having had a good look around, I think I’ve found the solution for my husband. It’s got to be comfortable and look vaguely cool and naturally it’s got to be eco-friendly; luckily, I came across some moccasin-type house slippers that he agreed were “manly” enough. For myself, I love an eco-friendly thong that is quilted and made of hemp. It’s literally the most comfortable thong slipper I have ever worn; kind of like walking on soft, deep cushions.
Now what about slipper socks? The thing I love about slipper socks and socks is that you can keep a basket of them by your front door to encourage visitors to take their shoes off. It’s one thing asking them to remove their shoes, and quite another to gently invite them to choose a pair of beautiful colorful socks from a basket. I say beautiful, because some visitors may need to be…let’s say…encouraged to de-shoe.
During the summer months, you may want to look for some colorful slides to fill your common basket.
So now I’m stuck with a pair of orange thongs in a size 12 and a dog whose feet I can always dip in a sink of warm water with a cup of white vinegar (removes much of the dirt and grime) when I can be bothered. Maybe I can encourage grandaddy to wear the thongs when he next visits from Georgia…then again, maybe not! What are your solutions for a shoeless home?
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