Wearing your shoes inside is a pretty widely accepted norm in the United States, so finding a way to keep your floors in pristine condition at an open house can be tricky. Asking guests to remove their shoes can seem rude or inhospitable and might be met with a denial, so making disposable shoe covers available is an excellent alternative. It’s still important to take a few factors into consideration before making the request, though.

Remember that making your guests feel comfortable is the most important thing when it comes to getting offers. If a guest feels uncomfortable, they might not be inclined to give you their business. Make sure you politely encourage your visitors to wear shoe covers rather than demanding, they will be more inclined to comply happily.

You should also keep in mind that you probably won’t be able to greet every guest that comes through the door. Consider putting up a kindly worded sign and leave a supply of booties by the door so guests see them immediately. Don’t forget to leave a place for people to dispose of their booties before they leave, and think about putting a chair or two by the door. You don’t want guests to have to plop down on the ground to put their shoe covers on and take them off.

Be aware of the weather on the day of your open house, as this could potentially affect what type of bootie you provide. Muddy, rainy weather might require waterproof covers to prevent mud from soaking through the bootie. If it’s a dry day out, though, lighter weight covers will work just fine for keeping grass, dirt, and pollen off the floor and out of the house.

Disposable shoe covers are a great alternative to asking guests to remove their shoes at an open house. Not only do you appease your client by keeping their space clean, but you also keep from offending your guests in any possible way. Check out our extensive selection of disposable booties to try at your next real estate open house.