“Germs live everywhere. You can find germs in the air, on food, plants and animals, in the soil, in the water, and on just about every other surface — including your own body.” www.mayoclinic.com says. You get rid of these harmful germs in your household by zapping them easily.

Bed Checks: www.goodhousekeeping.com says an easy way to destroy germs is by gathering sheets, pillowcases, and towels and lauder them in hot water. Dry the linens by choosing the antibacterial cycle or use the highest temperature setting. Wash your hands after touching the linens to get rid of the bacteria. Bacteria can remain in the washer so it is a good idea to run a normal hot-water cycle with a dose of bleach.

Rearrange the Fridge: “The raw meat you bring home from the grocery store has bacteria that can result in diarrheal disease,” says Dr. Rose Devasia, assistant professor at University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences in Louisville, Kentucky. Double bagging meats or placing them at the bottom of the shelf in your refrigerator can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases. The Center for Science in the Public Interest reported ground beef, chicken, turkey, and steak are the most immune to diseases.

Move Toothbrushes Away from the John: Leaving a wet exposed toothbrush next to the toilet can attract bacteria. “Studies have shown that bacteria in the toilet can disperse in the air after flushing it,” Dr. Devasia says according to www.cnn.com. By soaping up the sink, you can reduce the chance of getting ill by 30% Dr. Devasia says. Before flushing, put the toilet seat down to prevent bacteria from lingering in the air.

Leave Your Shoes at the Door: Walking through the house with your shoes on can emit bacteria in the carpets and area around. According towww.organicauthority.com, a 2008 study shows that shoes worn by ten people for two weeks noticed bacteria on 96% of the shoe’s bottoms. Sleeping next to shoes infected with bacteria can catch you an illness. An alternative is taking off your shoes at the door where no people are spending time there.

Clean Your Electronics: iPhones, Blackberries, and other tech appliances can capture germs such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and flu viruses. www.healthyliving.msn.com says cleaning  the surface of your appliances by wiping them down with any antibacterial wipe can reduce bacteria. Be sure not to dampen the electronic too much.

Now that your home environment is germ free, other ways to protect yourself is to get a flu shot- sometimes painful but effective for the viruses and diseases. Or wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds under warm water. You can’t remove all germs and bacteria from entering your body but you can try to prevent them.