If you have a budding artist in your home who has recently expressed himself or herself on your painted walls, here’s what to do…

Note: Whichever tip you try, test it on a small, inconspicuous spot of wall first to make sure your particular paint can handle the treatment. Then…

To clean crayon marks: A baby wipe or ammonia-based window cleaner should remove most crayon marks without removing the paint. Be sure to wipe the area completely dry after using one of these cleaners.

To clean magic marker spots: Put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton puff, and wipe the marker spots. The marker should come off, and the paint or wallpaper should stay on.

To remove ballpoint pen marks: Spritz any type of hairspray on the pen mark, then blot it with a clean, soft rag.

Long-term solution: Purchase a huge paper roll at an office- or art-supply store, and plaster the walls of your playroom (or what serves as a playroom) with it. Hand your graffiti-artists-in-residence their weapons of choice, and let them knock themselves out. Who knows? If anything, you can sell the results on eBay. Bravissimo!

More quick tricks to clean your home…

• 22 Clever Cleaning and Fix-It Tricks for Your Home

• Easy Way to Clean Your Venetian Blinds