Cleaning is not just a task. It is a quiet choreography, a form of meditation with immediate rewards. A return to essentials. A reclaiming of surfaces and senses alike. Whether it’s the crisp scent of freshly cut lemon or the satisfying pump of orange blossom dish soap, every gesture has the potential to be both purposeful and pleasing.
At IRMA, we believe even the most practical routines deserve beauty. Especially at home.
1. Lemon & Sponge: The Old-World Duo
It’s a pairing as old as time: lemon and sponge. But with the right cloth—a cheerful pink zigzag, soft yet resilient—it becomes a ritual. The lemon is both antiseptic and aromatic, while the sponge provides the gentle resistance needed to bring back the shine.
Cut the lemon in half, sprinkle with sea salt, and scrub the wooden chopping board or marble counter until it sings. Simplicity, redefined.
2. La Droguerie by Diptyque: The Utility Aesthete
Who said surface sprays must be hidden away? Diptyque’s La Droguerie collection—dishwashing liquid with orange blossom, multi-surface cleaner with vinegar, and a room spray worthy of your boudoir—transforms household care into a sensory ritual.
These amber-hued bottles are designed to be displayed, not tucked under the sink. They scent your home with effortless refinement. Think: a French florist’s atelier on a spring morning.
3. A Match to Close the Day
Scented Matches by Officine Universelle Buly
To strike a match is to mark a moment. These scented matches, with their cobalt-blue tips and antique-style box, are the final flourish. The scent—cedar, pine, a whisper of incense—lingers gently in the air, signalling that the cleaning is done, and the evening may begin.
Leave them on a folded cloth or kitchen ledge. They look beautiful, even unlit.
4. End with Your Hands
Aēsop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
After the washing up, after the windows, after the brass knobs and silver taps, come your hands. They deserve something sublime. Aēsop’s cult hand balm—infused with mandarin rind, rosemary leaf and cedar atlas—is as nourishing as it is fragrant. A reminder that even the most practical moments deserve pleasure.
Leave the tube on the sink ledge or windowsill. A small signal of care. A reward for the effort.
IRMA’s Note
Cleaning, done well, is not just maintenance—it’s atmosphere. A chance to reset your home, and in turn, yourself. With the right tools, scents, and gestures, even the most functional routines can become meaningful. Luxurious, even.
So slow down. Wipe the surfaces. Strike a match. Hydrate your hands. And enjoy the beauty in what’s been restored.