Hi Melissa...have you found a common theme in your nightmares while cleansing? They could be telling you something about what emotions/fears you're trying to release. As you are cleaning out your physical self, you're also cleaning out your emotional/spiritual self. If you write them down with the intent of finding something that you need to release, the 'a-ha!' experience will probably make the nightmares go away, as you will have 'gotten' it!
It's best if you can interpret them yourself...but if you need some help...here are some excellent (not superstitious and ridiculous!) on-line dream dictionaries: