Do you have any tips to freshen up a small pet without a bath?

if my silkie ellie gets somethin in her hair between baths i rub some water in her hair and brush it out

Take a little corn starch (available in the baking area of the grocery store)
put it in a shaker bottle (like an empty cheese canister, sugar shaker or a spice bottle)
sprinkle on the little guy - brush out and voila' soft fresh and clean. It is also not toxic in any way if ingested when he licks or cleans himself. It also helps keep anything from sticking to the fur.
If you want to add a little fragrance you can add just a pinch of baby powder or even cinnamon - but just a pinch.
This works well on dogs and other pets. It is perfect to brush on a long coated dog's behind to help keep the poop from sticking back there. A little sprinkle on the male belly area will help keep the area clean and smelling fresh.
If your pet does not like a stimulating brushing - buy a "newborn baby" brush in any pharmacy infant department. They are so soft they feel like being pet and stroked rather that raking through the coat and scratching the skin.

we don't do anything to freshen them up usually. they are clean animals. sometimes they get messy and we just give them a quick bath, they actually really enjoy it!

At petco they sell wipes specificaly for that very purpose, so you might check those out.

I also use baby wipes, Kath! They sure do work wonders!