During times of heightened health concerns, it's important to keep your home clean and sanitized. Sometimes it feels like staying healthy is out of your control, however you do have control over the cleanliness of your home. There are many preventative measures that you can take to decrease the likelihood of getting sick. Sanitizing your home is a great place to start in the fight against illness.

There are so many easy things you can do that will make a big impact on your health. Not only will you be looking out for your wellness, but you'll reap the benefits a clean house as well! Below are tips on how to kill bacteria and viruses in your home to protect you and your family.

disinfect knobs and handles

Door handles, cabinet knobs, and stair railings are surfaces that are touched often and by a lot of people. Sanitizing these areas with antibacterial wipes, especially the high traffic areas, will limit the spread of germs. For added benefit, use fresh scented wipes for a fresh scent throughout the house.

wash clothes and bedding

Germs can cling onto your clothes when you're out and about during the day. These germs can then follow you into your home and spread to other places. Stop them dead in their tracks by changing your clothes as soon as you get home and putting them directly into the wash. It's also recommended that bedsheets get washed frequently, preferably at least once a week. Make sure to set your washer to the hottest water setting to ensure any pathogens are killed.

vacuum and dust furniture

Furniture is a common place for dust and dust-mites to gather. Thoroughly vacuum furniture and polish hard surfaces to ensure these surfaces are free of dust. Afterwards, spray Lysol or a different disinfectant spray onto soft surfaces, if they can't be washed. Allow it to fully dry before using so that it has enough time to kill bacteria.

keep the toilet lid closed

It's very important to close your toilet bowl after going to the bathroom. This is one of the easiest things you can do stop the spread of germs. Bacteria can easily scatter around the room after flushing, clinging to any surface it can find, including your toothbrush and towels. Trap the germs by keeping the lid closed.

More importantly, the bathroom is the dirtiest room in the house and needs a thorough scrub down each week. Use disinfecting bleach with brands such as Clorox or Lysol to scrub sinks, toilets, and showers.

open windows when possible

Opening your windows is a great way to filter out airborne bacteria and viruses and bring in the fresh air. Not only will this help to ventilate the air, but it will create a nice breeze throughout your home and freshen up the smell. If it's cold outside, it doesn't hurt to open the windows even if it's just for 10 minutes.