Zen and the Art of Home Maintenance

By Janice M. Horowitz

Product: Household cleansers with ultrasophisticated scents How It Started: Retailers searched for a post-aromatherapy niche Judgment: Smelling like a spa is better than smelling like a lab

Most people, when they are cleaning their houses, aren't also looking to cleanse their souls. But taking their cue from the popularity of citrus soaps and berry body lotions, designer-housewares stores such as Williams-Sonoma and the Terence Conran Shop are offering household-cleaning products--dishwashing soaps, floor cleaners and countertop sprays--infused with essences fit for a Zen retreat. Consumers can choose among scrubs that smell like green-tea patchouli, citrus-mint ilang-ilang or basil lemon verbena. For the most part, the earth-friendly cleansers are "plant derived," meaning they don't contain man-made substances like ammonia. Degreasers by the manufacturer Caldrea get their punch from birch. In price, the products can't compare with Palmolive's, but they won't bust your wallet: Williams-Sonoma dishwashing soaps cost $8.00 for 16 oz.

--By Janice M. Horowitz