# Cleanliness **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 2, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505 "2024-01-02T17:39:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/221 "2024-01-09T14:53:21Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > That’s one reason I usually do wear shoes in mine. What!? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/222 "2024-01-09T20:50:13Z")
Ever stepped in cat puke barefoot? And dog puke is worse. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/223 "2024-01-09T20:58:31Z")
The puke I’ve stepped in (and other nasty things) would require a cleaning operation on shoes or slippers I rather not contend with. Feets are easier washed. Still gross. But it’s all what you’re prepared to have to wash if you have those pesky pets(and grand kids) ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/224 "2024-01-09T22:08:15Z")
There’s little I have not stepped in barefoot, when I come to reflect. Which I am now sorry I did. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/225 "2024-01-09T22:12:52Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > he puke I’ve stepped in (and other nasty things) would require a cleaning operation on shoes or slippers I rather not contend with. Feets are easier washed. If I step in something unexpected with shoes on, not only does it feel less gross, but I can step out of the shoes and leave them there while I go get something to clean up the mess with. If I’m barefoot, I’m going to track it across the house, and have to clean all that up in addition. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/226 "2024-01-09T22:20:21Z")
Yep. That is a legit problem. Well placed rolls of paper towels are helpful. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/227 "2024-01-09T22:26:22Z")
I’ve got way too much stuff scattered all around the house already to add enough paper towel rolls to always have one within reach! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/228 "2024-01-09T23:26:33Z")
And then people replace them the wrong way around. Don’t anyone pay attention to my rules?? 😊 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/229 "2024-01-09T23:37:56Z")
If the animals and feral children were restricted to outside where they belong the incidence of stepping in “stuff” would be greatly reduced. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/230 "2024-01-10T00:00:20Z")
Not only do I have people telling me I shouldn’t let the cats out, now I’m also going to have people telling me I shouldn’t let the cats in? What am I supposed to do, make them live in the back hall? (The cats have voted against that. Ain’t gonna happen.) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/231 "2024-01-10T00:02:24Z")
On long ago sea voyages all livestock was brought along to eat, not to deliver to the destination. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/232 "2024-01-10T00:06:48Z")
WTF does that have to do with anything? No one brought cats on ships to eat. We already get it from your many other posts on this board that you hate pets and don’t know why people have them. Newsflash, most other people don’t think the same way as you. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/233 "2024-01-10T00:25:25Z")
My sweet affectionate cats are well worth occasionally having to clean up hair balls and other puke. One of them kills mice, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/234 "2024-01-10T00:28:28Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If the animals and feral children were restricted to outside where they belong the incidence of stepping in “stuff” would be greatly reduced. If not stepping in stuff was more important to me than animals and children, that would be good advice. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/235 "2024-01-10T00:31:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > On long ago sea voyages all livestock was brought along to eat, not to deliver to the destination. Not the cats. They were brought along to eat – the mice and rats. IME, humans make bigger messes than non-humans do. And seconding that “not stepping in stuff” is a whole lot lower on my list than any of the creatures are. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/236 "2024-01-10T01:39:51Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > WTF does that have to do with anything? No one brought cats on ships to eat. > > We already get it from your many other posts on this board that you hate pets and don’t know why people have them. Newsflash, most other people don’t think the same way as you. > > Just sayin’ Er, I kinda suspect @LSLGuy was making a joke… ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/237 "2024-01-11T21:16:50Z")
Perhaps most do, and perhaps most don’t, but that does not mean LSL isn’t entitled to his opinion. Just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/238 "2024-01-11T23:41:52Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Not only do I have people telling me I shouldn’t let the cats out, now I’m also going to have people telling me I shouldn’t let the cats in? What am I supposed to do, make them live in the back hall? You could get a dog, and have people tell you it’s irresponsible to let it off the leash, while others tell you it’s cruel to keep it on the leash. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/239 "2024-01-11T23:43:09Z")
> [@ColdBrew50](#): > > > [@md-2000](#): > > > > I’ve had to use wire cutters and saws etc… over the years to whittle it down every year or so. > > I _have_ heard that a dremel tool with a sharp blade attachment can be very effective! There are actually blood vessels inside the “claw” near the root. (Meow?) So heat becomes an issue cutting it too close, too fast. The doctor really did a number on the root. It looks awful too. * * * Interesting, when was in my teens or twenties, if I did not wash every day, my feet and armpits reeked. Even after a hot day of constantly wearing my shoes it was not necessarily safe to take them off within range of company. Now that I’m much older, this is not a problem - at least until I reach the Depends stage, hopefully not for a few decades. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505/240 "2024-01-12T00:24:18Z")
And full circle back to \*Lumē. 😊 Ok. Some smarty pants should invent pet Lumē. One with disinfectant in it. No really, I wash my dogs and cats feet. Alot. Such is my burden. (\*I don’t recommend Lumē, mainly because I don’t like the incessant ads) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleanliness/995505.md?page=11)