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“It’s important to note that your home isn’t a petri dish growing scary diseases at every turn,” says microbiologist Shaun Veran, adding that exposure to a variety of microscopic beings is

like a “workout for your immune system, teaching it to recognize and fight diseases more effectively.”  The key, he says, is balance: You want to keep your home clean enough to be safe but

not so clean that your immune system suffers.  And where is that balance? Veran, who is also the COO of OURA, which makes antimicrobial clothing and home goods, says there are three key

indicators that your home might be harboring unsafe germs: visible dirt and grime, someone in the house has had an illness, and mold growth. A good rule of thumb is “if it looks dirty, clean

it,” he says. SOLE SEARCHING Still feeling the ick? Taking Leri’s advice doesn’t have to mean going barefoot. Instead, consider reserving footwear for indoor use only — especially if you’re

someone who is at risk of falling, someone who needs shoes for mobility, someone for whom shoes provide relief from chronic pain or someone who is just prone to cold feet. Socks or slippers

with traction are a good choice, says Kirsten Borrink, author of the shoe blog BarkingDogShoes.com. Her favorites include Gripper Slippers from Bombas; Zermatt slippers and Arizona sandals,

both from Birkenstock; and slippers or clogs from Giesswein, Haflinger, Crocs or OOFOS. The latter specializes in recovery footwear and is therefore ideal for people who require more

support. If you don’t wear outside shoes in your own home, you probably shouldn’t wear them in other people’s homes, either. So consider bringing clean shoes in a tote to change into when

you visit friends, relatives and neighbors. For something more elevated than what you wear at home, Borrink suggests foldable ballet flats from Yosi Samra for women, as well as slipper-shoes

from Birdies. For both men and women, Allbirds and Rothy’s are stylish, comfortable and portable, she says. WHAT ABOUT GUESTS? While choosing indoor footwear is important, perhaps the most

challenging thing to navigate for shoes-off households is hosting guests. Following a few simple rules can make the situation more comfortable for everyone, says Diane Gottsman, founder of

the Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in professional etiquette training: LET THEM KNOW AHEAD OF TIME. If you want guests to leave their shoes at the door, tell them in

advance so they’re not caught off guard — or worse yet, caught with tattered socks, unruly toenails or smelly feet. MAKE IT EFFORTLESS. Hosts who ask guests to remove their shoes should make

it as easy and comfortable as possible for them to do so. That means offering a chair or bench where they can sit to remove their shoes more easily; providing fresh, new socks or slippers

for them to wear while they’re in your home, preferably with treads on the bottom so they don’t slip and fall; and having a rack, tray or cabinet where they can safely store their shoes

until they’re ready to leave. Avoid baskets, as throwing guests’ shoes together into a basket could be perceived as unsanitary and might cause scuffing. CLEAN YOUR FLOOR. If you expect

guests to remove their shoes, your floor should be free of dirt, dust and pet hair. AVOID INDOOR/OUTDOOR GATHERINGS. Hosting a barbecue? Expecting guests to flow back and forth between the

house and the yard without shoes doesn’t make much sense.