If the thought of dousing your home with chlorine bleach to keep things disinfected bothers you, you might want to try another method to kill germs, bacteria and pathogens. Handheld steamers that use water to blast away wrinkles can be effective in disinfecting surfaces. While it's currently not approved by the Center for Disease Control as an antiviral method, many scientists agree steam can be effective to help create a healthy home. A soapy water mixture on the countertops blasted with steam can be a power method to kill germs, bacteria and, yes, viruses.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know refrigerators are designed to remove moisture that is inside the unit? If there is too much moisture, condensation can build up on the interior of both the refrigerator and freezer in the form of frost and ice. Before putting anything in the fridge, make sure it has a lid or cover, since uncovered containers transfer moisture into the air. Water-rich produce like iceberg lettuce and celery can be problematic; cover them in paper towels, which will help absorb excess moisture. And avoid opening and closing the fridge too many times if it's warm inside the home. The influx of warm air can create too much moisture.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to make their homes cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter is moving the thermostat to the highest or coolest setting. Moving the thermostat to an extreme temperature does not reduce the time it takes for your heating or cooling system to change the temperature of your home. You're better off setting the thermostat to the desired temperature so it stops there and won't accidentally keep overheating or overcooling the house.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION