Spring has officially sprung, and if you are like me, you are ready for a good old fashioned house cleaning. This is the time of year when my need to open the windows and let in the fresh air overtakes my frugal thoughts of keeping the heat in to save on oil. 

Something seems so wonderful about the first wisps of spring air coming through the house. It seems to not only clear the home of the winters smelly stale air, but also helps to ease those winter blues.

It is by far my favorite time of year for cleaning, de-cluttering and reorganizing.  I love the way the house looks and smells after a day of spring cleaning.  

Here are a few of my favorite spring cleaning tips and ideas.

• A great non-toxic window and glass cleaner is 1/4 cup vinegar and  1 quart of hot water.
• For counter tops, tubs and tile: a mixture of: 2 parts vinegar, 4 parts water and 1 part baking soda. Apply with sponge, scour and rinse well.
• For kitchen and bathroom floors: 4 cups vinegar with a gallon of hot water; you can add some lemon oil if you desire for a light lemon scent.
• When cleaning, always clean from top to bottom. 
• For carpet odors, sprinkle baking soda directly on them about an hour or so before you vacuum.
• House plants are not only aesthetically pleasing in your home, they also naturally filter the air in your home.
• Hanging laundry on the clothesline is a great way to save some money on your light bill and it also reduces your household's carbon footprint.
• While spring cleaning, I try to de-clutter as well. If an item has not been used within the last year I either throw it out, donate it or put it in the yard sale pile.