When you don’t have the time to toss a pair of jeans in the washing machine or take sweaters and jackets to the dry cleaner, you can freshen them up with a DIY fabric refresher. All you need is a little baking soda, 2 cups of water and a few drops of essential oil mixed in a spray bottle. The baking soda helps naturally deodorize, and the oil leaves a faint, refreshing scent. You can also pour straight vodka into a spray bottle and spritz; it’ll kill any odor-causing bacteria on the spot.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you use your dryer for laundry, do these two things to cut down on energy costs. First, clean the lint filter after each use; a dirty filter will force the dryer to work harder, and it's also a fire hazard. Second, dry heavier items like blankets, towels and jeans separately from lighter items that dry more quickly; most dryers have a moisture sensor setting that can default if there is still one wet item inside the dryer. Hang heavier items when they are still slightly damp coming out of the dryer; they’ll dry more quickly, and air-drying helps keeps items like towels and jeans looking better over time.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re sipping a beer on a hot summer day, be sure to keep your can or bottle far away from your dog. The hops used to make beer may give it flavor, but they also can raise the body temperature of your dog to as high as 108 degrees. If your dog drinks a lot of beer, this rise in body temperature can lead to seizures and organ failure. Keep beer far away and always warn guests that giving a dog a sip of beer isn’t cute; it’s dangerous.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION