Dena Ogden (she/her) is an Associate Editor for The Spruce, specializing in appliances, cleaning, organizing, and home tech—in other words, vacuums, storage products, and cleaning supplies. Since joining The Spruce in August of 2022, she's tested dozens of home products, including multiple vacuums, cleaning and laundry supplies, organizers, bedding, and more. Her own Pacific Northwest home is a constant work in progress, and she loves thrift shopping and upcycling old treasures to blend in with the latest and greatest products she's reviewing for The Spruce.
Highlights:
- Dena has interviewed experts in home care, organizing, decorating, and cleaning, and regularly tests home products for The Spruce. Most recently, she's been super impressed by the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo All-in-one Robot Vacuum and this PeachSkinSheets Sheet Set.
- She's been writing professionally since 2015, and her work has appeared in numerous digital outlets including People, Real Simple, and The Atlantic.
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English & Communication from the University of Washington, and is a proud first-generation college graduate.
Experience
Dena started writing professionally in 2015, and has developed a niche in home and lifestyle topics. Before joining The Spruce in 2022, she served as a Women's Lifestyle Commerce Writer and an Identity Writer for Bustle Digital Group, and she contributed to a variety of digital publications including The Atlantic, The Muse, and The Pacific Northwest Inlander.
Some of Dena's all-time favorite Spruce-Approved products include the Shark Apex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum and the Bissell JetScrub Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner, both of which she uses regularly. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her spouse, two kids, and a small dog, in a split-level home that gives her a deep appreciation for vacuums that can handle stairs. She's not a naturally tidy person—but she tries!—which is why she loves being a part of The Spruce and spreading the word about the best tips, tricks, and products for feeling great about one's home.
When she's not writing, editing, or testing products, you can find Dena thinking about her next cup of coffee, indulging in her latest favorite crafting endeavor (currently: papermaking), and trying to convince her family to come thrift shopping with her, again.
Other Work:
- Of All The Cheap Home Upgrades You Can Do Yourself, Designers Say These Make The Biggest Impact, Bustle
- If You Have A Dog, Trainers Say These Clever Things Will Genuinely Make Your Life Easier, Bustle
- 40 Expensive Mistakes You're Making At Home, Inverse
Education
Dena earned a Bachelor of Arts in English & Communication from the University of Washington.
About The Spruce
The Spruce, a Dotdash Meredith brand, is a new kind of home website offering practical, real-life tips and inspiration to help you create your best home. The Spruce reaches 32 million people each month. Learn more about us and our editorial process, and our commitment to ensuring we are providing you with the most trustworthy advice by certified experts for your home and garden.