Savor Summer---Outwit Housework

[Texasmujer]

*Summerize a bed by sandwiching a light blanket between two top sheets. Making the bed will be a breeze!

*Sunscreened tummies and ice-cream hands can leave their mark on furnishings. Before you pack away your flannel sheets for the season, choose a pretty king-size floral sheet to toss over your couch for a summer look that will protect the upholstery.

*Keep a stash of beach towels in the mudroom or near the back door and designate a sunny spot outdoors to hang the wet ones. The sun will both dry and sanitize them.

*Use only white towels in the bathroom. They look summery and they can be safely bleached spotless.

*Beat summer mildew by cleaning the condensation tray underneath the air conditioner once a week with a solution of half dish detergent and half water. Also, open the window or run the bathroom fan every time you take a shower or bath.

* Sandy feet a problem? Save sweep-up time by buying a solar-powered shower at a camping goods store. It's basically a heavy-gauge plastic bag with a hose attached that's good for de-sanding bodies and swinsuis befoe they enter the house. Simply fill it with water, rig it up and let it warm in a sunny spot by the back door.

*Keep the house reasonably picked up and sanitary, but take time off for good behavior. Srubbing will wait. Summer won't.