Americans largely prefer shoes off in their home. Though they often don’t require it if guests.

70% of Americans prefer a shoes-off household. Yet fewer than half, 44%, say they will actually ask their guests to remove their shoes.

You guys act like vaccuums don't exist. Carpets are fine, you're just neuroticly germophobic.

There is an underlay on the carpet. I don't know what the options were for it as that is just what they provided. So no idea how it compares to different sorts but at least there is one.

Yeah office chair on carpet isn't great and also using a plastic mat which seems to at least help but it bends a fair bit, I do wonder if it would be better to have a more rigid material below it, even just a sheet of plywood. Putting an offcut of carpet on top could be nice. Although at that point I doubt the plastic is even necessary. Ohh, maybe plywood and those stick on squares of carpet? I think they are good for office flooring too so they don't wear as badly.

For a while we have considered getting some rugs but they do cost a lot. Also want a combination of lots of squish AND a nice fluffy feel to it. Often they don't do both very well. Fake sheepskins feel nice but are almost completely flat of you squeeze them. Foam ones are very squishy but no fluff to them at all. Maybe need to look at multi laying it.

Or do I need to look into getting a sheet of the thickest carpet underlay I can and 50 balls of yarn to make my own rug that is better than all the others? Pompom rug could be an option too. Make them a few at a time then so it is easier to break up the work while watching something.

Yes, that's the point I'm making. You can't machine wash a carpet, therefore I'll never own a house with it.

(god, you people can be so dense sometimes)