When spring cleaning time comes round, it's important to remember these basic cleaning tips. To ensure you are doing more good than harm, you must be aware of your environment and what it means to have a safe home. Many people have become 'brainwashed' into believing that being clean has a chemical smell. The smell of your fabric conditioner, air freshener and all purpose cleaner are all chemical smells and should not be associated with a 'clean' smell. The truth is there is no such thing as a clean smell. Fresh air is the cleanest smell you can get. The following cleaning tips have been written to guide you in your spring cleaning mission as well as your everyday cleaning.

To eliminate odors, you can use 1/4 cup of white Vinegar and a cup of water. Bring to boil and allow to simmer for about 30 mins to an hour. - A completely natural way of eliminating odors in your home.

If you have wooden floors, you can clean them with tea! Use 2 tea bags per cup of hot water and allow to cool. - No need to rinse.

If you want to deodorize your fridge, use baking soda.

Baking soda is great general natural cleaner.

Lemon juice is natures own disinfectant.

The following cleaning tips are things to avoid in your spring cleaning.

Never use air fresheners. They contain dangerous chemicals and are not good for your health. They also have no real purpose unless you believe that your home requires a chemical smell to be clean.

Don't use scented products. This includes anything which contains a fragrance.

Do not use pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or fertilizers. They are very toxic. Instead you can use diatomaceous earth, nematodes and boric acid. See your health food shop or pet store for supplies.

Do not use cleaning products which contain toxic chemicals. There are plenty of natural alternatives available.

It is a fact that the air inside the average home is more toxic than the outside air, even in the most polluted cities. The above tips will help to reduce the toxins in your home. To further improve the air quality in your home, the following tips should help.

Invest in an indoor plant! A number of plants are known for their ability to remove toxins from the air. These include: English Ivy, Aloe Vera, Boston fern, Spider plants, Golden pathos and Philodendrons.

Open the windows! - Especially when cleaning.

Don't use fabric conditioners. There are some natural fabric conditioners available or you can use baking soda. Also avoid dryer sheets.

Use natural, fragrance free cosmetics.
Avoid Hairsprays - use plain Aloe Vera gel.
Avoid scented deodorant sprays - Use mineral crystal stones (or spray) or any unscented, petroleum free products.
Use an unscented shampoo and soap - best if they do not contain sodium laurel sulphate or propylene glycol.
Essential oils are the best form of fragrances as they are natural, non-toxic substances.

Branching away from our 'cleaning tips' topic, there are a few other guidelines that you should try to stick to.

Try to eat organic foods - free of harmful chemicals.

Wear only natural fiber clothes. Never purchase 'anti wrinkle' or 'permanent press' garments. These clothes have been treated with dangerous chemicals that do not wash out.

Hopefully, these cleaning tips and more have given you an idea of how to proceed with your spring cleaning tasks. Remember that everything that you breathe in and everything that comes in contact with your skin is being absorbed into your body. If a product is not fit to eat, than you shouldn't really be in contact with it.

Happy cleaning! - it's great exercise and is often more fun with music. Put on your favorite dance music and get ready to burn some calories!