What’s the first thing you do when you get home from work?
Apart from saying hello to your loved ones, we’ll bet that you wipe your feet on the doormat or remove your shoes at the door. And rightly so.
Even if your shoes look relatively clean, and your work boots aren’t caked in mud, that’s not to say they are free from dirt and germs…
We know it’s hard to imagine – but shoes can get dirtier than a toilet seat.
After all, the more places we walk; the more germs and bacteria we pick up. This feeds on the bacteria that is already lodged in the soles of your footwear and, the longer it’s left to harbour, the more harmful it becomes.
There can be millions of bacterial organisms living on a single pair of shoes, and more than 90% is transferred to tiled or carpeted floors.
Some of the most dangerous types found on shoes include:
· E.coli – causes intestinal and urinary tract infections, meningitis, and diarrheal disease
· Klebsiella pneumonia – leads to wound and bloodstream infections and pneumonia
· Serratia Ficaria – associated with respiratory tract infections and septicaemia
How to get rid of the ‘ewww’ from your shoes
If you’re only nipping into the site cabin to grab a cup of tea on your break or looking for a colleague, you’ll spend more time unlacing your work boots than you would inside the cabin. And brushing large chunks of mud off before entering hygienic areas and your home will reduce the mess.
But you must be doing your bit to eliminate the spread of disease-causing germs.
Here we offer a few simple ways you can protect yourself, your family, colleagues, visitors, and customers:
1. Never share footwear with others
Whether it be a pair of sturdy work boots or your favourite trainers, lending them to others is not hygienic or safe. For starters, the feet are a breeding ground for microbes, and sharing footwear will only exacerbate the problem and increase the growth of fungus.
2. Take your shoes off before entering
Arguably the easiest thing you can do to prevent the spread of dirt, germs, and bacteria is to leave your shoes at the door. Whilst it’s the most courteous thing to do, it also prevents keeps indoor areas clean, tidy, and professional.
3. Wash your shoes thoroughly and often
Even if your shoes are new on, and the soles are clean, you still want to wash them – preferably with a mild soap detergent and warm water. This can eliminate bacteria by a whopping 90%!
4. Use a boot washing station
Although you could don your marigolds and use a scrubbing brush to wash your mucky work boots, why not make it a whole lot easier for yourself with a boot washing station, like the ones Stainless Steel Manufacturing & Equipment supply?
These innovative systems speed the whole process up – making boot cleaning a breeze. And the best bit? You simply need to place your foot into the washer and push the button.
Want to invest in a boot washer?
If you think your business could benefit from one of SSME’s boot washing stations, be sure to visit their website today.
They provide a range of automatic and manual stations that are super easy to use and ensure all types of footwear are properly sanitised. The team is always on hand to help and would love to discuss your requirements in more detail.
