Hard to believe our mothers used to clean the counter tops with ... soap and water. How provincial that seems, now that we have at our disposal fancy scented countertop sprays in museum-worthy bottles. Of course we're in favor of anything that makes household chores more pleasing, but these not-so-essential sprays do tend to be pricey. A noteworthy exception is Minnesota-made JR Watkins Apothecary Natural Home Care All Purpose Cleaner. It sells for $5.99 online or at Target stores. An attainable bit of luxury that is even easier to justify when you consider it is plant-based, free of chemicals and toxins, and available in several delightful scents, including lemon and lavender. So go ahead, give that counter and extra spritz. — Allison Kaplan