Sign Language

My houses are busy places, and I found that I was often jotting notes to the people who keep them running smoothly, and to visitors. To stop wasting paper and time, I devised a system of reusable laminated signs. To make them, design and print out signs on the computer, then feed them through a laminating machine. Trim the edges and punch two holes to hang. I bet you can come up with signs that are just right for your home.

Comments

[Teapot Collector 2]

Glad to read that you don't allow shoes in the interior. I learned that method of keeping floors clean while living in the orient. We like to wear white socks instead of slippers but provide slippers for guests.
I'm going to use your very "good thing" and make a sign also.
Thanks

[Dayami]

I do not like shoes in the house either. My husband, son & I remove our shoes before going in. It keeps the house so much cleaner and lots of germs out.
Thanks.

[Sylvia]

I would love to have people kick off their shoes before entering our home but I know they would just laugh at me. I think this would keep the house much cleaner because I am amazed at the dirt on my white mop when I run it over the floors. All I have is hardwood and tile floors and they are not difficult to clean butno shoes would keep out lots of dirt and germs. Thanks for the idea. Maybe I'll try it.

[Lily Mathews]

Since my husband & I bought our new home, we have got ourselves "shoe covers". This is basically like what they wear in operating theatres in hospitals. When people have difficulty taking off their shoes, esp in winter, they can slip these covers on & it'll save any embarassement for anyone.

[sharon martinelli]

I have lived in my home which I purchased new, with the "no shoes inside" rule.
I am so glad, the floors are clean and my my baby grandson can play there without me feeing to awfully worried.
The carpet that I had layed replacing the contract grade, is gorgeous still after 6 years.
We keep a basked of clean white socks in the laundry for anyone needing foot warmers!

[Meg]

I moved from Dallas to Edmonton, Alberta, 3 1/2 years ago when I married. Because of the long, snowy winter (and the very dirty spring after) here, it is the custom for family and visitors to remove their shoes at the door. (I think New Englanders do this too?) Visitors will have to go about in socks unless the hosts have spare slippers, and polite hosts do. In fact, I think Martha mentioned this in a "good thing" a while back. I think she showed some very nice slippers - I've just bought some white terry ones from Ikea when we go there, they are comfy, and easy to wash and replace as needed.

[deezie]

I have a sign at my front entrance that reads,
Life is made of choices, remove your shoes or scrub the floor:) and it has a shoehorn attached, I thought it was adorable when I saw it
dee lotz

[caroleHolt]

My husband and I have tried taking our shoes off before entering our house, but just got out of the habit. I am glad I saw this post because I am going to try doing it again, and ask my guests. I don't know if you really are Martha Stuart, but I enjoy your blog anyway.

[Hardboiledegg]

I suppose if you don't like your carpet leave the shoes on --- are there no boot scrapers or door mats to use to brush your shoe bottoms off?

I would hate for someone to stub or break a toe

[Glenda Jones]

I'm new at this and really don't know if I'm at the right place. I wanted to send Martha a homemade Christmas pin and sidn't know where to send it. I do not like shoes at my house either but I have found it to be a loosing proprosition.

[Diane Cummings]

The chandelier is so beautiful and in a perfect position to do it justice. As usual Martha your style has got it right again.

[Patrice Will]

Is there a place to ask kitchen questions on any of your websites? I have a pizza stone that has an old smell to it. I've scrubbed it with baking soda and rinsed it. That helped some. Any suggestions or websites to look up. Thank you. Patrice

[Roy L. Thomas]

That's what doormats are for. Shoes don't harm floors or carpets, only dirty shoes.
I remember going to a party once where the hostess asked everyone to take off their shoes at the door, only to be greeted by ratty carpet. I just never got it.

[Jewel]

To prove my point of how dirty shoes really are I placed clean white bath towels on the floor near the entrance door. It worked and "he" now leaves his shoes by the door 98% of the time.

[Mczl]

Glad you have people remove shoes at the door too. My other pet peeve is ladies putting their purses on my kitchen table or counter. Just think of the other places the purse has been. Martha you had a show about this,& told everyone NOT to place them on the floor but the table. BUT purses are "dropped" every where, floors,couches, bathroom stalls & NO WAY on my table/courters.

[Kelli]

Oh boy...you don't know how great this is.
My daughter ( 7) loves making signs in order to remind us of the house rules. ( or maybe to remind herself...).
I don't like bursting her bubble but they look kind of ...not nice...taped up all over the place. Now she can do her signs in a far more sophisticated way.

[Kelli]

And wow...do people even read? No one seems to have actually got the point of the post.