Think your shoes are just a wardrobe choice? Think again. According to microbiologists from the University of Arizona, nearly half of shoe soles can be contaminated with serious pathogens — think Clostridium difficile and other bacteria typically associated with hospitals.

Yes, even your favorite white sneakers. They’re soaked with dust, mud — and microscopic hitchhikers. Cleaning them isn’t vanity; it’s hygiene. Experts recommend wiping down the outsole after each wear and rotating pairs to let them dry fully.

Here’s what to do today:

Consider this your official reminder to clean your shoes, rotate them and definitely take them off when you get home.

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