Stair Runner Substitute

We've had a number of parties as well and the best thing is to get plastic to cover the carpets. You can buy it in rolls at Home Depot. It is a clear plastic that you roll out and it sticks to the carpet. Then everyone can party in style and even spill drinks! After the party you just pull it up and throw it away. Depending on the size of the roll you buy it is $20-$50, but well worth saving the carpets and avoiding a steam cleaner. :)

We have no shoes policy in our house too but when we have a party the shoes stays on and I do try to stay calm and deal with whatever is left behind. I remember going to a X-mas party. It was one of those when you just decided this time to put some make ups and a nice dress and to have fun. I even went out and spend 200$ (first and last time) on super cool boots to match my outfit. I was so happy and proud with my-self. I felt like a woman again. It was my first party after the baby when I did the effort to be a woman again, not just a mom. Guess what? The hostess asked us to remove our shoes. I did respect her wish, I did understand, I'm a cleaning freak too, but my outfit was ruined, and I wasn't proud of my-self any more and no, I didn't have fun. Oh, and my 20$ tights were ruined... My advice is: just have some covers on the side and just watch your guests when they arrive. The worst case in my house was scratches on the floor (it is wood) from high heels, so I would watch for that and than decide if I can ask the person to do something about it. Everything else can be cleaned. Good luck with your party!

It is a halloween party so you are right- you can't really ask people to ruin their costumes. You are having a party so you should expect your house will get a bit messy. Why not put up a big sign that says "wipe your feet or we will cut them off" and hang a bloody hacksaw next to it?

I think you assume that most people don't wipe their feet! I am not sure why you feel that polite normal people do not wipe their feet at the front door.
I think if you are having a party you might have to lighten up a little. It is a party. Put a shoe rack at the door with a sign (SHOES) and a big rug at the door for people to wipe their feet and hope your friends have fun. It is just one day.

We are also strickly shoes off at our home, but for large parties (more than just close friends) we make exceptions. Here is what I would suggest:

1. Nice big mat by door with a VERY DAMP TOWEL on top (folded wide and flat) - ask people to wipe off their feet well or take off their shoes - their choice. Since it is Halloween you can add a funny but direct sign telling them that, as one of the other mom's suggested (GREAT IDEA by the way!).
2. In high-traffic areas use the clear carpet tape available from Home Depot and Lowes (it's used by/for movers really)

The fact that you requested shoe wiping or removal at the entry will make most people more conscientious anyhow and hopefully more careful about helping you keep the mess under wraps at the party.

Just let people know ahead of time that you have a no shoe policy and don't worry about it! Adding fabric to the stairs increases the chance of someone falling on them.

I remember once having my carpets cleaned and then having to have a minor construction job done on my upstairs bathroom where lots of dusty drywall was hauled back and forth. I purchased a roll of plastic from the local hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes or wherever) that sticks to the carpet like plastic wrap and yet works amazingly well. I think a roll cost about $15 and lasts a while depending on how much space you are covering. Just a thought... I also remember using this when I moved the last time and it protected the stairs and carpets from the movers' muddy shoes.

good luck and hope you have a fun party!

If you have tatami on the floor, I can definitely understand the problem. There is no way (well, no easy way) to clean those.

We too, have a no-shoe policy carried over from spending 6 years in Japan (but hardwood & carpet, no tatami). What we do is to make it an option, when we have parties. We just let people know "where they can put their shoes if they want to take them off". Many people would prefer to take their shoes off, while others want to keep them on. We usually get between 50% & 75% with no shoes, & everyone is comfy.

When we used to have wall to wall carpet, we just steam cleaned the next morning. We invested $200 in a Bissel steam cleaner, and it sooo paid for itself in 2months after 3 parties, and more than made up for any kind of expense in taking the "nerves" away. Vomit, diarrhea, dog hair, grape jelly, red wine, you name it... it's been on our floor. And out came the steam cleaner and poof. All better. Exploding diapers, playdates, gravity checks, pets... no worries. It comes out. The other alternative is either hiring it done for about 80, or doing the rug doctor thing for 45-85 (it works okay, but not as well as a pro or a home steam cleaner, and you have to buy all the cleansing stuff that goes along with.

I have to agree with DJ and Marie...

I think being asked to take off my shoes when I go to a party is tacky. Your guests will appreciate that you are making an effort to accomodate them. The hostess should have plenty of mats at the front door that would scrape anything stuck to shoes off (sisal comes to mind), and a nice absorbent one inside for dampness.

I like the idea of the thick plastic runner. You might want to check Target too, I've seen some runners there for cheap!

You should be able to get a clear plastic sticky runner at Home Depot or Lowe's - not sure where. That would be the best bet as I think it is fairly inexpensive, doesn't move, and comes up easy! Good luck and have fun!

Hi T.,

Last December, we threw a birthday party for our daughter and gave out these Christmas-themed sock/slippers with grippy rubber on the bottom. These were our party favors, and they were a great hit. My husband (!) came up with the idea; he found them at K-Mart for $4.99 a pair.

We don't have carpet downstairs and on the stairs, so things were easier for us. I've always hated cleaning the carpet...

Good luck!

my inlaws always use the plastic adhesive (that was mentioned in another response) when they throw parties - even small ones. This is the stuff that a lot of people use when showing their house when it is on the market. I am not sure where to get it - Target? Home Depot? It is low cost and you will get a whole roll so you might be able to use it again. plus it better than a runner because it sticks to the carpet and doesn't move around/trip people.

Before we moved into our house, we had off-white carpet installed nearly everywhere. To protect it during the move, we got a roll of adhesive clear plastic and ran it up the stairs and along the hallways. It worked really well. It might not be the most atractive thing in the world, but it kept the carpet from getting grubby, and it wasn't a tripping hazard, like so many area rugs and runners. I think it either came from the U-haul store or Home Depot.

Fast forward 5 years and 2 kids...we still have a no shoe policy, but we're a lot more lenient for parties and special events. What gets dragged in on somebody's shoes is actually a lot easier to clean up than the food and beverages that they can spill.

i would just ask people to take their shoes off because it's easier and then you won't have to worry about it. we are not a no shoe family ourselves but whenever we have a party it seems half the people take their shoes off anyway -- for a lot of people around here is it the norm.