October: cozy up time
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As the air turns crisp and sweaters come out of hiding, October is the perfect month to slow down, reset your home, and prepare for the cozy season ahead. Before you light the first candle or curl up with a warm blanket, give your space the refresh it deserves. A mindful fall cleaning not only clears the dust of summer but invites calm, comfort, and intention into every corner of your den.
At Zen My Den, we believe cleaning can be a ritual…simple, natural, and grounding.
🕯️ The Cozy-Up Cleaning Checklist
1. Entryway Reset
Sweep and mop floors-fall leaves and dirt sneak in quickly.
Wipe down doors, handles, and light switches.
Add a boot tray and a natural doormat for wet shoes.
Swap summer baskets for cozy accents…think warm textures and neutrals.
2. Living Room Refresh
Vacuum upholstery, cushions, and under furniture.
Wash throw blankets and pillow covers in washing machine with gentle, natural detergent.
Dust shelves, window sills, decor and light fixtures.
Diffuse warm scents. Try the Zen signature room spray also available in a candle.
3. Kitchen Deep Clean
Clean out and organize the fridge and pantry. Check expiration dates and restock fall staples.
Polish stainless steel appliances with a microfiber cloth and vinegar solution, such as the Zen all purpose cleaner.
Deep clean inside appliances-turn on self cleaning ovens
Wash garbage, recycling and food waste bins inside and out with Zen all purpose disinfectant natural cleaning spray.
4. Bedroom Sanctuary
Rotate your mattress and wash mattress covers.
Vacuum under and behind beds and furniture.
Launder bedding with a lavender or eucalyptus-infused wash.
Declutter bedside tables and add a calming candle or small plant.
Store away light summer clothes; bring out cozy sweaters and knits.
5. Bathroom Glow-Up
Deep clean grout and tiles with an eco-friendly scrub.
Replace old towels with plush neutrals or earth tones.
Organize your skincare and toss expired products.
Add a eucalyptus bundle or essential oil diffuser for a spa feel.
6. Home Office or Workspace
Wipe down your desk, keyboard, and screens.
Declutter papers and recycle what you no longer need.
Refresh your workspace with a small plant or minimalist candle.
Set a cozy mood with warm lighting — it boosts focus and comfort.
7. Seasonal Touches
Swap light decor for natural textures — wood, linen, and ceramics.
Add cozy layers: rugs, throws, and soft lighting.
Bring in nature — dried florals, pinecones, or small pumpkins.
🌿 Mindful Cleaning Tip
Make cleaning your fall meditation. Breathe in the natural scents, move slowly, and enjoy the process of creating a sanctuary. Use eco-luxury cleaning products made with plant-based ingredients that are gentle for your home, safe for your family, and kind to the planet.
🍁 Final Thought
A cozy home isn’t just clean, it’s cared for. This season, let your cleaning routine become a ritual of renewal. With every surface wiped and corner decluttered and organized, you make space for calm, creativity, and connection.
Breathe in. Slow down. Clean mindfully.
That’s the Zen My Den way.
Get Organized for September
Get Organized for September
Organizing your home for September is a great way to transition from summer into a more structured, refreshed routine as we enter back to school, work, or seasonal changes. Here’s a practical room-by-room guide to get your home prepped and feeling organized:
🗓️ General Planning (Before You Begin)
Set a few goals: Do you want to declutter, deep clean, or just reset routines?
Make a checklist: Organize by room or category.
Make achievable goals: Depending on your time available, tackle one drawer, closet, or room at a time.
Get supplies: Bins, labels, cleaning products, donation boxes.
🛋️ Living Room
Swap out summer decor: Light blankets, fall tones, candles.
Declutter surfaces: Coffee tables, shelves, media centers.
Organize media: DVDs, games, remotes, charging cables.
Deep clean: Vacuum under furniture, clean windows, dust ceiling fans.
🍽️ Kitchen
Purge the fridge + pantry: Toss expired items, wipe down shelves.
Meal planning station: Create a calendar, shopping list zone, or meal prep space.
Stock fall basics: Soups, spices, baking supplies. Get out some favourite fall recipes.
Organize school/work lunch prep area. Use bins inside the pantry to corral favourite lunch snacks.
🛏️ Bedrooms
Seasonal wardrobe switch: Store away summer clothes, bring out transitional layers.
Declutter nightstands and drawers.
Refresh linens: Wash or swap bedding for cooler nights.
Add a cozy touch: A throw blanket, fall scents, or soft lighting.
🧸 Kids’ Rooms / Homework Areas
Set up a homework station: Good lighting, supplies, quiet space.
Declutter toys/clothes: Donate what’s outgrown.
Organize school gear: Backpacks, papers, calendar.
🛁 Bathrooms
Clear expired products.
Organize cabinets and drawers.
Refresh towels + bath mats.
Add seasonal touches: Fall-scented soaps or candles.
🧺 Laundry / Utility Room
Restock essentials: Detergent, dryer sheets, stain remover.
Organize shelves/baskets.
Schedule a deep clean: Wipe machines, clean vents, vacuum behind appliances.
🗂️ Entryway / Mudroom
Set up a fall system: Hooks for jackets, shoe tray, baskets for hats/gloves.
School organization zone: Key hooks, calendar, mail sorter.
🌿 Garage / Storage
Store summer gear: Pool toys, lawn chairs, camping supplies.
Prep fall tools: Rakes, outdoor lights, leaf blower.
Check holiday storage: Start prepping for Halloween or Thanksgiving.
Optional September-Specific Tasks
Create a fall bucket list.
Schedule seasonal maintenance: HVAC, gutters, chimney.
Make a holiday planning folder or binder.
Rotate emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, canned food).
Hire Zen My Den to help you get organized-check out our organizing services.
June Home Checklist
Indoors
Clean ceiling fans & reverse direction
Test smoke & CO detectorsWash windows & screens
Declutter entryways & closets
Deep clean bathrooms & kitchen (check for mold/moisture)
Home Gym
Wipe down cardio equipment (treadmills, bikes, rowers) with disinfectant
Disinfect resistance bands, medicine balls, accessories, dumbbell handles, barbells and kettlebells
Wash gym towels
Clean yoga mats or foam rollers with mild soap and water, or zen yoga mat cleaner
Dust off any shelving, equipment stands, or weight racks
Check for loose bolts and inspect for wear on machines (cables and pulleys) and benches
Deep clean all mats and flooring
Wash or wipe down mirrors and windows
Clean fan blades, air filters, and vents
Outdoors
plant bee friendly flowers
Power wash patio/deck
Clean gutters & downspouts
Inspect for pests or damage to siding/roof
Clean grill & outdoor furniture
Summer Prep
Set up or service AC units
Check window seals & weather stripping
Corral summer gear in a basket for easy access: beach towels, sunscreen, bug spray
May Deep Clean: Washer & Dryer Edition
Doing a deep clean of your washer and dryer in May sets your laundry appliances up for peak performance during summer months when laundry loads often increase. Here's a focused May Deep Clean Guide for both your washer and dryer:
🧺 Front-Load Washing Machine Deep Clean
Weekly Maintenance Tip (if mold-prone):
Leave the door open after every load to prevent mildew.
Wipe down the rubber gasket with a cloth.
✅ Deep Clean Checklist
Run a Cleaning Cycle
Add ½ to 1 cup of bleach to the detergent tray.
Run the hottest and longest empty cycle (some washers have a “Tub Clean” cycle).
Clean the Rubber Gasket
Spray with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
Scrub gently with an old toothbrush.
Wipe dry with a clean towel.
Remove and Clean Detergent Drawer
Soak in hot water and scrub.
Let it air dry before replacing.
Wipe Down the Drum & Exterior
Use a damp microfiber cloth and mild cleaner or vinegar solution.
Clean behind and under the machine if possible.
✅ Dryer Deep Clean Checklist
Clean the Lint Trap Thoroughly
Remove lint screen and scrub with warm, soapy water.
Let it dry completely before reinserting.
Vacuum the Lint Trap Housing
Use a narrow vacuum attachment to remove lint below the screen.
Consider a dryer lint cleaning brush for deeper reach.
Clean the Drum
Wipe inside with a cloth dampened with a vinegar-water solution.
Dry with a clean towel.
Inspect & Clean Dryer Vent Hose
Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer.
Vacuum out lint buildup from both the hose and the wall duct.
Reattach securely.
Clean Behind & Under the Dryer
Vacuum or sweep out dust, lint, and debris.
Check that the dryer is level and the vent isn’t crushed.
📅 Tip: Set a Reminder for Your Next Deep Clean
💡 Repeat every 3–4 months (August, November, February...)
⚠️ Safety Tips
Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners—this creates toxic gases.
Always ventilate the area when using bleach.
Wear gloves to protect your skin.
April Decluttering Checklist: A Fresh Start for Spring
April Decluttering Checklist: A Fresh Start for Spring
April is the perfect month to declutter and create a more organized, peaceful home. Whether you want to simplify your space or make room for new things, this checklist will guide you through a systematic decluttering process to kick off the spring season.
1. Living Room
Sort through magazines, books, and ornaments: Donate, sell or recycle anything you no longer need or love.
Tidy up electronics: Organize remote controls, chargers, and wires. Donate unused gadgets.
Pillows & throws: Wash and store winter textiles and swap out with spring fabrics and colours. Donate any excess pillows or blankets that don’t add value to the space.
2. Kitchen
Purge your pantry: Check expiration dates and toss anything you don’t use or that’s expired.
Clear the countertops: Donate, toss, or sell clutter like random mugs, chipped or unmatched dinnerware, or unused kitchen gadgets.
Tidy the cabinets: Donate, toss, or sell old cookware, mismatched lids, or duplicate items you no longer use.
3. Bedroom
Clothing: Go through your closet and drawers. Donate or sell clothes you haven’t worn in the last year. Switch over capsule word robe to spring and summer clothing and store away heavy, winter clothes. Keep out some sweaters for layering during cool evenings.
Shoes & accessories: Purge shoes that are damaged or no longer suite your style-donate or sell.
Nightstands & dressers: Remove clutter from your nightstand and dresser. Only keep essential items.
4. Bathroom
Expired products: Toss old makeup, skincare products, and medications. Dispose of medications at local pharmacies that participate in the BC Medications Return Program.
Towels and linens: Donate towels that are frayed or no longer in good condition-some people will use for pets.
Under-sink storage: Organize or toss any expired or unused cleaning supplies or products.
5. Entryway
Coats & shoes: Donate or sell any coats or shoes you don’t wear or need.
Key trays and bins: Empty out any random items collecting dust and organize what’s left.
6. Home Office/Workspace
Paper clutter: Sort through mail, old documents, and magazines. Shred what’s unnecessary.
Desk & drawers: Tidy up your desk, donate unused office supplies, and organize paperwork.
7. Storage Areas
Garage/Attic/Basement: Start with one box or bin at a time. Purge things you no longer need or use.
Seasonal decorations: Check if any decorations are broken or out of style and discard or donate them.
8. Toys & Kids' Stuff
Outgrown clothes and toys: Donate items your kids no longer use or have outgrown.
Games & puzzles: Sort through and donate any games or puzzles you no longer use.
9. Books & Media
Books: Donate books you’ll never read again.
Charging cords: Purge old cords you no longer use.
10. Sentimental Items
Photos & memorabilia: Digitize old photos or memorabilia that no longer serve a purpose. Keep only the most meaningful items.
In Conclusion:
Decluttering in April is a great way to refresh your home and make room for the things that truly matter. Take it one step at a time, focusing on a few areas each day, and enjoy the lighter, more organized space you create! 🌼✨
March To Do List
It all begins with an idea.
The first official day of spring is March 20. The new season brings longer days, warmer weather, fresh flowers, and usually some spring cleaning. A March cleaning to-do list can be a great way to kick off spring cleaning and refresh your home after the winter months. Here's a detailed list to help you get started:
Clean Windows. Clean windows inside and outside and wipe out the window tracks.
Deep cleaning. Dust high corners using a vacuum attachment, wipe down walls and baseboards, clean light fixtures.
Refresh and organize the mudroom and/or entryway. Store away winter clothing and boots, and bring out sandals. Clean or replace the doormat. Put out an umbrella for spring showers.
Remove winter pillows and blankets. Launder and store away winter textiles and swap out for lighter weight fabrics and spring colours.
Clean patio furniture. As the weather gets warmer, get ready for outdoor entertaining. Scrub and wipe down patio furniture and launder outdoor cushion covers.
Laundry Room. Clean the washer and dryer: Wipe down the inside of the washer drum and the outside of both machines. Run a washing cycle with washing machine cleaner. Pull the washer and dryer out and vacuum and wash the floors and walls behind. Organize laundry supplies and wipe down storage shelves.
Garage/Basement/Storage Areas: Organize tools and equipment: Sort through any tools, sports equipment, or seasonal items and ensure everything is in its place. Get garden tools ready, and start planning for planting by starting some seeds indoors or picking up seedlings.
Check air filters: Change out air filters for your HVAC system, and ensure any vents are clean. Professional duct cleaning is recommended post construction or every 2-3yrs.
Spring exterior touch-ups: Check your gutters for debris, clean your porch, and sweep the entryway.Inspect the exterior for any winter damage. Pressure wash exterior and touch up paint and stain.
Check smoke detectors: Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed.
Deep clean the kitchen. Clean out and organize cupboards, clean small appliances, wipe grease and grime from backsplash, range hood, and light fixtures. Move out fridge and stove and vacuum and wash behind.
Organize the home office: Get ready for tax season by organizing papers, cleaning the desk and electronics, and decluttering the area.
Tips for March Cleaning:
Start small: Focus on one room or area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Set a timer: Break down tasks into smaller chunks by setting a timer for 20-30 minutes per task.
Declutter first: Before deep cleaning, decluttering can make the process much easier.
This list will help you thoroughly clean and organize your home as you enter the new season. Have fun with your March cleaning! Hire us to help you with your spring cleaning needs.